Chhattisgarh Health Ministry has endorsed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) call for the health sector Global Race to Zero programme. This pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and Chhattisgarh becomes the first Indian health system to endorse UNFCCC’s Race to Zero Campaign. Showing leadership on climate action, Chhattisgarh’s Health Minister T S Singhdeo on Tuesday announced the State’s Health Department’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, by endorsing the UNFCCC’s global Race to Zero campaign.

 

T S Singhdeo, Minister of Health said, “climate change is one of the largest threats being faced by the planet. Climate vulnerabilities make it necessary to frame a long-term plan to tackle this threat, and thus it is the duty of the Health Department to show leadership in this field. I am pleased to announce that Chhattisgarh is the first State in India to commit to the health sector’s role to take steps to counter impacts of climate change and become net zero in accordance with the Race to Zero campaign’’. “Global Race to Zero is a prestigious United Nations cross-sectoral global campaign, necessary to meet global carbon reduction goals. This is a critical measure to ensure better living conditions for future generations.” Health Minister Singhdeo also emphasised that Chhattisgarh’s health department has already taken steps aligning with the UNFCCC global call.

 

“We have developed a comprehensive plan to tackle the health impacts of climate change through our efforts on the State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health. The department has also taken crucial steps like 100 per cent solarisation of the health centers to make them climate resilient and reduce their own carbon footprint”, added the Minister. By endorsing the UNFCCC’s Race to Zero call, Chhattisgarh has become the first Health Ministry in India to pledge their intent to achieve net zero health sector emission target by 2050.

 

Formulation of a net zero plan by the health department in the State of Chhattisgarh, which is India’s coal mining heart, is a significant development. It opens doors towards solutions, for a range of complex issues pertaining to the state’s coal-based economy, its mounting problem of air pollution and resultant impacts on public health. A net zero commitment by the department, also brings forward the need to create important institutional frameworks to deliver on this enormous opportunity which will redirect the state’s resources towards more renewable based energy generation, clean air and clean power.