Activating Climate Federalism: Bridging Policy and Practice in India

Joginipally Santosh Kumar, a former Rajya Sabha MP and founder of the Green India Challenge, called for the activation of climate federalism at India's Climate Innovation Summit 2026. Speaking at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Kumar underscored the necessity of bridging the gap between India's robust climate policies and grassroots implementation.

He shared the platform with notable figures like Srinivasulu IFS, Regina Sanchez, and others, emphasizing that India's challenge lies not in policy creation but in the 'missing middle.' Kumar argued that while the nation possesses well-crafted climate strategies, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Mission LiFE, there is a need for synchronized efforts to ensure delivery from top-tier frameworks to local actions.

Kumar also spotlighted significant issues, including the need to classify heatwaves as notifiable disasters under India's disaster response framework, and advocated for integrating community-level solutions into the carbon credit market. His proposals highlight the potential for a bottom-up approach to climate governance, with initiatives like the Green India Challenge setting a participative precedent.

(With inputs from agencies.)