Exploring Governance Strategies for Addressing Climate

Change and Environmental Sustainability in India and

world
A synopsis report submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
(Main Campus), Varanasi, for the partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Arts
degree in Public Administration, Semester-IV.

[Session: 2023-2024]

SUPERVISOR INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Divya Rani Name Satyam Priyadarshi
Assistant Professor Roll No.: 22421PUA022
Department of Political Science, BHU M.A. in Public Administration
Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Introduction:
Climate change and environmental degradation pose unprecedented
challenges to global sustainability. Effective governance strategies are
imperative to mitigate these issues. This research aims to explore
various governance approaches and their effectiveness in addressing
climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. This
research mainly focuses on the current conflicts between citizens,
civil society and non state actors and government in different states of
India such as Chattisgarh(Hasdeo Forest), Ladakh(climate fast), north
eastern states climatic degradation.

Background and Rationale:-

The impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures,

extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity, necessitate urgent
action. Governance mechanisms play a crucial role in shaping
policies, regulations, and incentives to mitigate emissions and
promote sustainable practices. Understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of different governance strategies is vital for informed
decision-making. The reasearch also focuses on the current senarios
of Indian environmental problems related with Hasdeo Forest,
Chhatisgarh and Climate fast and natural climatic degradation in
Ladakh and other northeastern states.

Research Objectives:-

1. To examine existing governance frameworks at the international,

national, and local levels for addressing climate change and
environmental sustainability.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of different governance strategies in
achieving climate targets and environmental conservation goals.
3. To identify key factors influencing the success or failure of
governance mechanisms in addressing climate change and
environmental sustainability.
4. To propose recommendations for enhancing governance structures
and policies to better address these challenges mainly in India.

Literature Reviews:-

1. "Decentralized Environmental Governance in India:

Balancing Environmental Sustainability with Local
Development" by ShresthTayal and Aseem Prakash (2019)
This book chapter examines decentralized environmental governance
initiatives in India, exploring the role of local institutions, community
participation, and institutional design in promoting environmental
sustainability at the grassroots level.

2. "The Politics of Climate Change and India: Reconfiguring

Governance in a Developing Country" by Navroz K. Dubash (2014)
This book explores the political dynamics of climate change
governance in India, examining the roles of state and non-state actors,
policy debates, and international negotiations, and assessing
implications for India's development trajectory.

3. "Climate Change Governance in India: A Critical

Review" byPurva Jain and Ritu Mathur (2015)
This article critically reviews India's climate change governance
mechanisms, focusing on policy coherence, institutional capacity, and
stakeholder participation, and offers recommendations for
strengthening governance structures.

4. "The Role of Non-state Actors in Climate Governance:

Understanding Agency and Governance" by Harro van Asselt and
Fariborz Zelli (2014)
This article examines the increasing role of non-state actors, such as
NGOs, corporations, and cities, in climate governance, shedding light
on their influence and contributions to climate action.

5. "Global Environmental Governance: Options &

Opportunities" byRonald B. Mitchell, David L. Downie, and
Fabrizio Hochschild (2010)
This book provides an overview of global environmental governance
mechanisms, discussing the strengths and limitations of international
agreements, institutions, and initiatives in addressing environmental
issues.
These literature sources offer valuable insights into
governance strategies for addressing climate change and
environmental sustainability in the context of India as well as
Internationally providing a foundation for further research and policy
analysis.

Reseach Gaps

1. Implementation Gap
While India has developed ambitious policies and frameworks for
climate change and environmental sustainability, there is often a
gap between policy intentions and on-the-ground implementation.
Research could investigate the factors contributing to this
 implementation gap, including institutional capacity constraints,
bureaucratic hurdles, and socio-economic challenges.
2. Local and Governance Participation: Despite efforts to
decentralize environmental governance in India, there remains a
gap in understanding the role of local institutions and community
participation in decision-making processes. Research could explore
the effectiveness of decentralized governance structures, the extent
of community involvement in environmental management, and
strategies for enhancing local capacity and empowerment related
with PESA and local bodies decision making authority.
3. Role of Non-state Actors: Non-state actors, including civil
society organizations, the private sector, and grassroots
movements, play an increasingly important role in climate change
governance in India. There is a gap in research examining the
influence, contributions, and interactions of these actors with
government agencies and formal governance structures.
4. Long-term Policy Planning: There is a gap in long-term strategic
planning for climate change and environmental sustainability in
India. Research could focus on the development of robust policy
frameworks, scenario analysis, and adaptive management
approaches to address future uncertainties and ensure resilience in
the face of evolving environmental challenges.
5. Climate Justice and Equity: There is a gap in research examining
the intersection of climate change, governance, and social justice in
the Indian context. Investigating issues such as differential
vulnerability, distributional equity, and marginalized communities'
access to resources and decision-making processes could provide
insights into the need for more inclusive and equitable governance
approaches.
Addressing these research gaps could contribute to
a more comprehensive understanding of governance strategies for
addressing climate change and environmental sustainability in the
context of India, ultimately informing more effective policy
formulation and implementation.
Research Questions
 Implementation Effectiveness:
a). How effective are existing climate change and environmental
policies in India at the national, state, and local levels?
b). How do governance structures and institutional arrangements
impact the implementation of climate change and environmental
initiatives?
 Community Participation and Local Governance:
a).To what extent are local communities involved in decision-
making processes related to climate change adaptation and
environmental management in India?
b).What are the factors that facilitate or hinder effective community
participation in governance initiatives?
 Role of Non-state Actors:
a).What roles do non-state actors, including civil society
organizations, the private sector, and grassroots movements, play in
climate change governance in India?
b).What strategies can enhance collaboration and partnership
between government agencies and non-state actors to achieve
common climate goals?
 Long-term Planning and Policy:
a).How can scenario planning and foresight methodologies inform
long-term policy formulation and decision-making?
b).What governance mechanisms are needed to ensure continuity,
coherence, and adaptive management in the face of evolving
environmental challenges?
 Equity and Justice:
 a).What are the social, economic, and environmental justice
implications of climate change and environmental policies in
India?
b).How do climate change impacts exacerbate existing inequalities,
and what governance mechanisms can address these disparities?
c).What strategies can promote more inclusive and equitable
governance approaches, particularly for marginalized
communities?

Hypothesis

1. Governance structures that prioritize community participation

and local empowerment will lead to more effective implementation
of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in India.
2. Environmental policies that incorporate principles of equity and
social justice will result in more equitable distribution of climate
change adaptation benefits and reduced vulnerability among
marginalized communities in India.
3. Non-state actors, including civil society organizations, the
private sector, and grassroots movements, will play a significant
role in shaping climate change governance outcomes in India,
particularly in influencing policy formulation and implementation
processes.

Research Mathodology

1. Literature Review:
Conduct a thorough literature review to synthesize existing
knowledge on governance strategies, policy frameworks, and
implementation challenges related to climate change and
environmental sustainability in India. This will provide a solid
theoretical foundation for the research.
2. Case Studies:
 Employ case study analysis to examine specific governance
initiatives, policy interventions, or community-led projects aimed
at addressing climate change and environmental issues in different
regions of India. This qualitative approach allows for in-depth
exploration of contextual factors and governance dynamics. Such
as examples of Hasdeo Forest, Chattisgarh and Ladakh Natural
resource problems.
3. Surveys:
Design and administer surveys to relevant stakeholders to collect
quantitative data on governance perceptions, policy preferences,
and attitudes towards climate change and environmental
sustainability. Surveys can help identify trends, patterns, and
correlations within the research population.
4. Comparative Analysis:
Undertake comparative analysis to benchmark governance
strategies and policy outcomes across different regions or states
within India. Comparisons with international case studies or best
practices from other countries can provide valuable insights into
governance innovations and lessons learned.
5. Policy Analysis:
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of climate change and
environmental policies at the national, state, and local levels in
India. This could involve examining policy documents, legislation,
and regulatory frameworks to assess their coherence, effectiveness,
and alignment with international commitments.
6. Participatory Approaches:
Employ participatory research methods, such as participatory
mapping, focus group discussions, or participatory scenario
planning, to engage local communities and stakeholders in the
research process. This collaborative approach can enhance the
relevance, credibility, and impact of the research outcomes.
References:-

1. Shresth Tayal and Aseem Prakash. (2019). "Decentralized

Environmental Governance in India: Balancing
EnvironmentalSustainability with Local Development."
2. Dubash, Navroz K., Anu Jogesh, and others. (2010). "Climate
Change Governance in India: Enhancing Adaptive Capacity."
3. Jain, Purva, and Ritu Mathur. (2015). "Climate
ChangeGovernance in India: A Critical Review."
4. Harro van Asselt and Fariborz Zelli (2014) "The Role of Non-
state Actors in Climate Governance: Understanding Agency and
Governance."
5. Ronald B. Mitchell, David L. Downie, and Fabrizio Hochschild
(2010) "Global Environmental Governance: Options &
Opportunities