Meghalaya has recently joined the global Under2 Coalition, marking its position as the seventh Indian state within the world’s largest network of states and regional governments committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. By becoming part of this coalition, Meghalaya aligns itself with over 170 subnational counterparts, fostering global subnational climate leadership. The Under2 Coalition facilitates government-to-government peer learning, promoting the exchange of knowledge and policy insights crucial for expediting climate action.
Despite its modest geographical size, Meghalaya is undertaking ambitious measures of adaptation and resilience. It stands out as one of Asia’s pioneering forest economies, adhering to a distinctive doctrine known as the ‘Environment State’ or nature-based economics tailored for ecologically sensitive regions. This development strategy centres around concepts like ‘nature banking’ and ‘nature markers,’ forming the core of an environment and conservation-led economy.
Meghalaya has introduced several initiatives under its green development doctrine to drive climate action. Notably, the Conservation Basic Income program has been implemented, accompanied by the training of 14,000 youths in forest management practices. The state is also at the forefront of developing a Climate Emergency Framework that aims to establish new rights for nature and integrate nature into economic structures. In addition, Meghalaya is in the process of creating a unique Climate Change Museum and repurposing public urban spaces to promote discussions on climate change within communities. Initiatives such as the ‘Biodiversity Heatmap’ and the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Pilot have been launched to assess the state’s ancient biodiversity and provide financial support for conservation.
Other Indian signatories in the Under2 Coalition include Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. With Meghalaya’s inclusion, these eight signatories collectively represent over 29% of India’s population and contribute nearly 30% to the country’s GDP.
Conrad Sangma, honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, said on the joining: “This is an age of localised green imagination, which makes it essential for governments and regions like Meghalaya to partner, learn and build coalitions with various other forest economies and ecological regions of the world. The Under2 Coalition is a great platform for building South-to-South cooperation and subnational solidarities that can enable great knowledge sharing mechanisms, new supply chains and economics along with new climate action methodologies for indigenous geographies like ours.”
P.S. Sampath Kumar, CEO of Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, Principal Secretary Health and Convener of the State Climate Action Council, said: “Meghalaya has great political and public consensus on creating a unique climate action economy through a new brand of nature economics. This new template of environment leadership from the global south and indigenous regions of the world will inspire its Under2 Coalition peers.”
Dr. Divya Sharma, India Executive Director at Climate Group, said: “We welcome Meghalaya to the Under2 Coalition of subnational leaders. By joining the global network, Meghalaya has joined the league of states and regions that are willing and able to drive climate action. Its participation will undoubtedly make the voice of the global south stronger, while showcasing Meghalaya’s own initiatives towards a climate resilient, net zero world.”
The Climate Group, founded in 2004, is an international non-profit committed to achieving a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The organization’s approach involves building extensive networks, collaborating globally, and sharing successful outcomes to inspire more entities to take decisive climate action. The Climate Group serves as the Secretariat for the Under2 Coalition, the largest global network of subnational governments dedicated to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. With 270 member governments representing over 1.75 billion people and 50% of the global economy, the Under2 Coalition collaborates to address climate change and drive sustainable practices.