CHANDIGARH, July 12— With climate risks mounting, Chandigarh has set its sights on a more resilient and sustainable future through the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) 2.0. The updated roadmap, which aims to reduce emissions and build climate resilience by 2030, was discussed in detail at the second meeting of the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) held on Friday at the UT Secretariat.
Chaired by Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, the high-level review focused on the strategic rollout of SAPCC 2.0 following its recent approval by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) during a National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) meeting.
Developed by the UT’s Department of Environment, SAPCC 2.0 is backed by detailed climate modelling and vulnerability assessments. The plan warns of a significant rise in average temperatures and an increased frequency of heavy rainfall events by 2050 — a combination expected to worsen heat stress, water scarcity, and flooding in urban pockets.
“This is a critical step in aligning Chandigarh’s development with national climate goals and building resilience across key sectors,” Verma said during the meeting. “Our commitment must translate into measurable outcomes by 2030.”
SAPCC 2.0 aligns with India’s broader climate vision under its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The plan outlines sectoral strategies including:
- Achieving 100% renewable energy use under the Model Solar City initiative
- Accelerating electric mobility adoption
- Promoting green and energy-efficient buildings
- Expanding rainwater harvesting and wetland restoration
- Enhancing climate-resilient healthcare systems
To ensure implementation remains on track, SAPCC 2.0 includes a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER) framework. It also proposes setting up a dedicated Climate Change Centre (CCC) to oversee interdepartmental coordination, manage climate data, and foster knowledge-sharing across institutions.
“A baseline study on carbon emissions and sequestration potential is also in the pipeline,” said a senior environment official, adding that the study will lay the foundation for data-driven climate policies.
The meeting was attended by key departmental heads including Mandip Singh Brar (Secretary, Home-cum-Environment), Diprava Lakra (Secretary, Finance and Transport), Saurbh Kumar (Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Environment), Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar, Health Secretary Ajay Chagti, and Additional Director of Environment Anup Kumar Soni, along with other stakeholders.
The officials agreed that cross-sector collaboration will be essential to make SAPCC 2.0 an effective tool in safeguarding the city’s ecological future while ensuring that development remains inclusive and sustainable.
