Introduction / ಪರಿಚಯ
Nature is speaking louder than ever in India — with floods, heatwaves, species decline and industrial pollution making headlines. But 2025 has also brought in powerful policy responses: India is launching a National Red List Roadmap, notifying binding emission intensity rules, and grappling with the huge economic cost of climate disasters.
ಇದು ಒಂದು ಸಂಕೇತ: ನಾವು ಕೇವಲ ಪರಿಸರ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವವಲ್ಲ, بلکہ ನವೀನ ಪರಿಹಾರಗಳನ್ನು ವಿನ್ಯಾಸಗೊಳಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವೆವು. ಆದ್ರೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಸವಾಲು ಮುಂದಿದೆ — ಕ್ರಮ, ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ, ಹಾಗೂ ಸಮಗ್ರ ಕಾರ್ಯಪಡೆಯ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ.
1. India’s National Red List Roadmap / ರಾಷ್ಠ್ರೀಯ ರೆಡ್-ಲಿಸ್ಟ್ ಯೋಜನೆ
What is it? / ಇದು ಏನು?
- India launched the National Red List Roadmap (2025-2030) to assess around 11,000 species of flora and fauna by 2030. IUCN World Conservation Congress+2The New Indian Express+2
- This involves a collaboration between Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, IUCN-India, and Centre for Species Survival. News on Air+1
- Purpose: to strengthen biodiversity documentation, find which species are under threat, support policy and conservation planning. News on Air+2The Times of India+2
Why it matters / ಇದರ ಮಹತ್ವ
- India is one of the world’s mega-diverse countries, with several hotspots like the Himalayas and Western Ghats, as well as many endemic species. News on Air+1
- Without reliable assessment, threats may go unnoticed until species are severely endangered.
- The Roadmap brings science + local knowledge + legal instruments together.
2. Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025 / ಎಮಿಷನ್ ತೀವ್ರತೆ ಗುರಿ ನಿಯಮಗಳು
What are these rules? / ಇವು ಯಾವುವು?
- The Centre has notified legally binding Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025 for high-polluting sectors: aluminium, cement, pulp & paper, and chlor-alkali. The Indian Express+2Renewable Energy India+2
- These rules set emissions per unit of product output targets — for example, how much GHG is released per tonne of cement. The Indian Express+1
- There are incentives: industries that meet the targets can earn carbon credits; those that don’t may have to buy credits or pay compensation. The Indian Express+2Renewable Energy India+2
Implications / ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳು
- This is the first time such legally binding intensity targets have been set in India. The Indian Express+2The Indian Express+2
- Pushes industries toward cleaner technologies, efficiency, innovation.
- Also opens up the carbon market: credits, penalties etc. Ensures accountability.
3. Rising Costs of Climate Disasters / ಹವಾಮಾನ ವಿಪತ್ತುಗಳ ವೆಚ್ಚದ ಏರಿಕೆ
What’s happening / ಏನಾಗಿದೆ?
- According to the NatCat 2025 report by Swiss Re, India suffered over US$12 billion in losses in 2025 from climate-related disasters. The Economic Times+1
- Floods accounted for more than 63% of these losses. The Economic Times
- Since 2000, cumulative natural disaster costs to India have crossed US$180 billion. The Economic Times
Consequences / ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳು
- Not just damage to property — loss of livelihoods (especially farming), infrastructure damage, displacement.
- Stress on government budgets, need for disaster relief, compensation, rebuilding.
- Indirect costs: reduced productivity, health impacts, migration, etc.
4. Heatwaves & Oppressive Heat / ಉಷ್ಣಆಲೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ತೀವ್ರತೆ
- A scientific study projects that under 1.5°C global warming, oppressive heatwaves (high temperature + high humidity) in India will increase five-fold by end of the century, compared to historical levels. arXiv
- At 2°C, the increase is even higher. This brings serious health risks: heat stress, mortality, strain on health systems.
5. What We Need to Do / ನಾವು ಏನು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು
Here are some suggestions for policy, practice, and everyday life:
| Area | Action Items |
|---|---|
| Policy / ನೀತಿ | Ensure the Red List is backed by funding + trained personnel; enforce emission rules strictly; integrate climate risk into all planning (urban, agriculture, infrastructure). |
| Technology & Innovation | Cleaner production methods; renewable energy; energy efficiency; better early warning for floods, heatwaves. |
| Nature-based Solutions | Restore wetlands, forests; protect watersheds; improve spring recharge; green buffers around cities. |
| Community + Awareness | Engage local communities, indigenous knowledge; public education; encourage sustainable consumption. |
| Finance / Funding | Mobilize climate funds, green bonds; insurance schemes for disasters; incentives for industries meeting emission targets. |