Prakash Pankaj | Team TrickyScribe: Bihar government announced a series of initiatives to advance its climate finance and sustainability goals, including the formation of a climate finance cell within the finance department and the anticipated launch of the state’s Renewable Energy (RE) Policy in November. These announcements were made during the Bihar Climate Finance Summit, held on Monday by the finance department in collaboration with WRI India.

Strengthening Climate Commitments: Insights from Key Leaders

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Samrat Choudhary, emphasized the state’s proactive approach to climate finance and green initiatives. “Despite challenges, Bihar has managed to significantly expand its green cover from 10% to approximately 16%,” he shared, noting additional climate efforts such as solar energy promotion, electric vehicle incentives, and improved waste management practices.

Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, echoed these sentiments, calling for discussions on establishing the Climate Finance Cell. Kumar highlighted landmark projects like the construction of rubber dams in the Falgu River in Gaya and the Ganga Water Lift Scheme, which serves multiple cities in Bihar. He stressed the importance of curbing groundwater extraction and introducing environmental studies in primary education.

Collaboration and Private Sector Involvement

Bihar’s Development Commissioner, Pratyaya Amrit, stressed the need for private sector engagement to supplement government initiatives. “Bihar’s green budget component has risen from 7% to 10%, demonstrating our commitment through initiatives like Jal Jeevan Hariyali and Bihar Vikas Mission,” Amrit noted.

The proposal to form the Climate Finance Cell, presented by Anand Kishore, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, will be submitted for state approval soon. This cell is set to play a critical role in identifying green projects, securing financing, and supporting departments in obtaining climate funds.

Uday Kant Misra, Vice Chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), showcased the BSDMA’s collaborative efforts with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to monitor floods and flood-protection infrastructure. In a pioneering step, BSDMA is also working with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on “digital twin” technology to forecast urban flooding.

Funding Green Projects Through Policy Integration

Additional Chief Secretary of the Panchayati Raj Department, Mihir Kumar Singh, underscored the importance of linking climate policies with funding sources. “Bihar could consider introducing a cess on transactions involving natural resources to finance green initiatives,” Singh suggested.

Santosh Kumar Mall, Principal Secretary of Water Resources, highlighted the rising frequency of climate-related disasters, referring to recent heavy rainfall in Nepal as an example of the growing need for effective flood management. “Mitigation efforts must scale up to match these challenges,” he emphasized.

Proposed Budget Allocations for Green Projects

Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Secretary of Transport, advocated for a dedicated budget for green projects, proposing a fixed percentage allocation for climate initiatives. “This approach would bring clarity and consistency to green funding, potentially attracting private sector contributions,” he stated.

Pankaj Kumar Pal, Secretary of the Energy Department, confirmed the New Renewable Energy Policy is slated for release in November. “Around 33% of agriculture feeders have already been solarized, and this policy will accelerate our renewable energy targets,” he announced.

Urban Development Secretary, Abhay Kumar Singh, called for greater synergy between the finance and urban development departments to drive urban green projects. Singh highlighted projects such as waste-to-energy in Patna, sewage treatment plants along the Ganga, and rainwater harvesting as transformative urban green initiatives.

Public-Private Climate Finance Partnerships

Ashima Jain, Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department, discussed the necessity of private sector engagement in climate finance, suggesting support in building public-private partnerships and financial capacity. “Leveraging green bonds and carbon credits can provide new avenues for private climate investments,” she pointed out.

Patna’s Development Commissioner, Mayank Warwade, reaffirmed Bihar’s commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2070. “We are already witnessing significant progress in sustainability efforts across the state,” he said.

Enhancing Green Cover and Afforestation

S Chandrasekar, Chief Conservator of Forest, emphasized the need to expand Bihar’s green cover, promoting afforestation in forest areas and agro-forestry in rural regions. “A sustained green cover increase is vital for Bihar’s climate resilience,” he stressed.

Ulka Kelkar, Executive Director of Climate, Economics, and Finance at WRI India, highlighted the relevance of this summit ahead of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. “Climate finance remains central, and workshops like these enable states to align their priorities with global climate goals,” she stated.

Bihar’s multi-faceted approach, including the Climate Finance Cell and new Renewable Energy Policy, underscores its commitment to climate resilience and sustainable growth, positioning it as a leader in India’s green transition.

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