Lok Sabha Question No. 3069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Carbon-neutral Village
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3069

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## Carbon-neutral Village

## 3069. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of carbon-neutral zones in the country currently, State/UT-wise including Kerala;
- (b) whether  Meenangadi  village  of  Kerala  has  become  the  first  carbon-neutral  village thereby leading Wayanad to be the first such district in the country;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Ministry  is  considering  some  unique  approaches,  and  voluntary commitments  to  encourage  people  to  reduce  their  carbon  footprint  and  identify specific plants to tackle climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Ministry intends to implement measures on lines of the initiatives taken by  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  such  as  managing  greenhouses  and  managing plastic waste; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) and (b) According to the information received from the Government of Kerala, no zone has been declared as carbon-neutral in Kerala. Keeping in mind the diversity across various States and districts of the country in the endowment of natural resources and in the nature of the  overall  development  of  the  economy,  the  Government  of  India  does  not  envisage  or expect  carbon  neutrality  declarations  and  efforts  by  all  States/Union  Territories  and/or districts at the panchayat/village level.

(c)  to  (f)  As  a  developing  country  Party  to  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on Climate Change  (UNFCCC),  it is recognized that India's priorities are sustainable development, inclusive growth and poverty eradication while addressing the global collective action problem of climate change. It is also recognized that it is the developed countries that have to take the lead in emissions reduction, and to provide finance, technology and capacity building support to the developing countries.

Under the Paris Agreement, India has submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which include: 'To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable  way  of  living  based  on  traditions  and  values  of  conservation  and  moderation.' Thus  all  voluntary  efforts  and  initiatives  at  energy  efficiency,  conservation  of  natural resources and growth with development are encouraged keeping in mind the need to improve living conditions, provide all basic amenities and advance the well-being of all.

With  specific  reference  to  the  absorption  of  carbon  dioxide,  the  most  prominent greenhouse gas, by vegetation, it is noteworthy that forest and tree cover in the country is steadily increasing. As per the Third Biennial Report to the UNFCCC, India has reported that currently, our forest and tree cover has absorbed nearly 15% of our carbon dioxide emissions in 2016. It is anticipated that districts with high forest cover such as Wayanad, can effectively contribute  to  realising  our  NDC  goal  of  increasing  the  carbon  sequestration  by  continued conservation and enhancement of forest and tree cover with minimum degradation.

Further, the Government of India is committed to the constant improvement of waste management  including  limiting  and  managing  plastic  waste.  The  Government  has  put  in place  the  policy  framework,  the  State  Governments  have  developed  policies  and  several States have already banned single-use plastics.

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