Background
Climate change, caused due to increased anthropogenic activities and resultant emissions of greenhouse gases, is now widely recognized as the major environmental problem facing the globe which has the potential to harm societies and ecosystems. In particular, agriculture, forestry, water resources, human health, coastal settlements, and natural ecosystems will need to adapt to a changing climate or face diminished functions.  
The changing climate patterns, especially the increased frequency and/ or severity of extreme events, will increase vulnerability to natural disasters such as drought, flood and cyclones. The poor and rural communities which are comparatively more dependent on ecosystem services are therefore likely to be more affected by deteriorating environmental conditions and factors limiting resource availability.

Climate Change Cell
Government of Madhya Pradesh accords high priority to issues relating to Climate Change. Environmental Planning and Coordination Organization (EPCO) has been designated as the State Nodal Agency for addressing Climate Change issues. A Climate Change Cell has also been established in EPCO.
The Climate Change Cell of EPCO intends to establish a mechanism that facilitates management of long term climate risks and uncertainties as an integral part of the state development planning. The basic purpose of establishing the cell is to build the capacity of the state government officials to coordinate and mainstream climate change issues in development activities and policies. The Climate Change Cell will manage information and knowledge and provide services to ensure Environmental Sustainability through facilitation, identification and implementation of development projects. Climate Change Cell Brochure describing the activities of the Cell has also been developed.

Objectives

1. Building the capacity of the State Government Officials to mainstream climate change issues in development activities
2. Strengthen existing knowledge and information base on climate change
3. Research to support policy implementation and Funding of high quality research in climate change
4. Establish network of climate change related academic and scientific  government institutions
5. Awareness raising and coordination to promote adaptation to climate change & risk reduction in development activities.

GoMP-UNDP Project of Strengthening M.P. Climate Change Cell
The Housing and Environment Department of Government of Madhya Pradesh is implementing the project with UNDP support for strengthening of M.P. Climate Change Cell. Click here for Project Brochure.
A three tier Project Management System is in place which includes -
A Project Steering Committee with Chief Secretary as its Chairman and Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries of related departments as its members
A Project Implementation Committee under Principal Secretary, Housing and Environment Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh which is responsible for making decisions for the project and periodic reviews.
A Project Management Unit has been formed under Executive Director, EPCO.
The Project Document covering the project activities and finances for the period of 2008 – 2012 was developed and agreed with mutual consent of EPCO and UNDP. Every year activities and associated finances for the year are also decided between EPCO and UNDP through Annual Work Plans, AWP 2009, AWP 2010 and AWP 2011.
The Project Launch Workshop was convened on April 26 & 27, 2010 in which representatives from all climate change sensitive departments were invited along with Sector Experts.
Following the launch workshop, a Networking Workshop was organised in which research and academic institutions of Madhya Pradesh were invited to explore areas of convergences pertaining to climate change.

Project Components
Strengthen Climate Change Cell and develop it into a State Climate Change Knowledge Management Centre (SCCKMC)
The State Climate Change Knowledge Management Centre is envisioned as a facilitator for knowledge dissemination with a people centric approach.  This platform is aspired to be developed as a ‘repository of knowledge pertaining to climate change’ which can support strategic planning of government as well as non-government agencies. This centre also visualizes developing a network among organisations and institutions working on climate change and allied subjects.
EPCO is in the process of developing a Detailed Project Report for the formulation of SCCKMC together with The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi. Considering the extensive works of TERI in the field of Climate Change, the State Government is entering into an agreement with TERI as Knowledge Partners.

Prepare a State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)
The participative process adopted followed extensive consultations with government and non-government stakeholders. A total of 10 Sectoral consultations were organized with government departments namely Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Forest, Energy, New & Renewable Energy, Water Resources, Industries, Urban Administration & Transport, Health and Rural Development. In order to reaching out to the micro-level region specific issues, public consultations were organised at all the 11 Agro-Climatic Zones with government and non-government entities’ participation.
The ultimate aim of the SAPCC process is to produce a comprehensive ready-to-act action plan so that concerning departments of the State Government can take effective measures for implementation.

Assist in mainstreaming climate change concerns into sectoral policies and programmes
Once the State Action Plan is approved by the State Government, it is intended to assist the departments and other stakeholders in mainstreaming the climate change concerns in their developmental plans and programmes with a proactive approach.

MoEF-GIZ Project on Climate Change Adaptation in Rural Areas of India
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI, four States namely Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and GIZ are together implementing this project in India.  The objective of the project is to develop an understanding towards the interventions required to improve the livelihood and adaptive capacities of vulnerable rural communities and formulate strategies for climate change adaptations favoring sustainable development in the rural sector, with demonstrative pilots at selected locations. Click here for Project Brochure.  

Project Components

State-level vulnerability and risk assessments - To develop a structured approach to climate change vulnerability and risk assessment at the state level nullifying the gap between global scenarios and local risk assessments. These analyses would provide scientific basis for decision making at the policy level. The study is being carried out in association with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi incubated company INRM. Methodology for this study was developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi. To discuss Criteria & Indicators for Vulnerability Assessment in M. P., a workshop was organized at EPCO in which government departments, civil society organizations, researchers and educational institutions participated.

Developing and testing adaptation measures – Field testing of possible adaptation measures and to replicate it in similar agro-climatic conditions. Through a Need Assessment Workshop conducted with civil society organizations, many concepts were developed out of which 2 have been selected for field testing in the sectors of eco-restoration and livelihood enhancement. EPCO is contemplating to develop a scientific approach for river revivals in M.P.

Climate proofing of government programmes – Ensuring sustainability of any public sector programmes against changing climatic parameters. The concept is under development in consultation with Rural Development Department. 

Developing financial instruments for adaptation – Through this component, focus is to develop or re-design financial products including insurance and credit schemes that might be suitable for promoting adaptation to climate change. Efforts would be at increasing the accessibility of these financial          products to rural poor. A national level workshop was organised in New Delhi in the context. In order to developing specific instruments in the State’s perspective and strategies, a State level workshop is also being planned.

Information and Knowledge Management - Enhancing awareness about climate change and expert knowledge regarding adaptation to climate change.

Click here for present Status of the Project.

Indo - UK Project on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment for Madhya Pradesh
EPCO, in association with Development Alternatives, New Delhi, has carried out a study on the impact of climate change and vulnerability assessment in Madhya Pradesh as part of the Indo-UK Climate Change Project Phase II. Click here for the Project Brochure.

Objectives
The overall purpose of this study is to gain an in depth understanding of how climate change induced vulnerability fits within the broader vulnerability context and therefore, how relevant resilience building and adaptation measures can be effectively incorporated within the existing development processes. Click here for the Project Document.
The study has been carried out in Dhar and Ujjain and Datia & Tikamgarh districts of Malwa & Bundelkhand agro-climatic zones respectively. Documentation of inferences of the study is in process.