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Dear Reader,
Welcome to our first online edition of the IKI India Newsletter! In our effort to optimise and reduce the
carbon footprint of the Newsletter, we have transitioned from a PDF attachment to HTML format.
We have also introduced a new structure, bringing together project updates and climate news in a more
cohesive way. By integrating the newsletter with our IKI India Website, we aim to provide you with easy
access to in-depth insights, resources, and the latest developments from IKI India.
This newsletter will continue to evolve and be further developed. Thank you for being part of the IKI India
community—we hope you enjoy reading!
Best Regards,
IKI India Interface Team
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IKI India Website
GIZ India LinkedIn
GIZ India X (formerly Twitter)
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IKI PROJECT UPDATES AND NEWS
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Support Area I: Mitigation
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23_I_494_Asia_M_Low Carbon Buildings – Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT)
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Project update
The ALCBT Project hosted a session at COP29 on advancing low-carbon buildings in Asia and held its 3rd
Technical Advisory Committee meeting, finalising over 19 training modules with more than 40 private and
government institutions. Know More
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News relevant to the project
The Energy Conservation Building Codes have been updated with sustainability guidelines, and a new Energy
Conservation and Sustainability Building Code has been introduced. To support implementation, ALCBT is
developing a registry of 1,600 buildings where these codes can be applied. Know More
Kerala's cool roof policy aims to cut building energy use by reducing cooling demand, with the project's input
supporting its implementation and alignment with efficiency goals. Know More
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IMG2021_I_019_IND_T-CAP – Transformative Climate Action Using Participatory Data
Driven Decision Making Platforms (T-CAP)
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Project update
T-CAP organized a national workshop and Urban Living Lab by leveraging digitalization for participatory climate
action in Indian cities. Know More
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21_I_452_IND_G_NDC_Implementation_IFP – IKI India Interface Project
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Project update
The project advanced key IKI-interface activities by publishing the Pre-COP 29 Briefing Note from India and
hosting IKI events on climate action, while also organizing workshops for public sector enterprises on climate
co-benefit methodologies, facilitating knowledge exchange on low-carbon solutions in the cement sector, and
leading discussions on peatland assessment findings. Know More
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News relevant to the project
In December 2024, India's Ministry of Steel and Heavy Industries introduced the world's first Green Steel
Taxonomy, setting clear criteria for green steel, encouraging innovation, and shaping a low-carbon market, with
the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology managing certification and verification. Know More
The Indo-German Support Project for Climate Action in India is conducting a techno-commercial feasibility
study for SAIL to identify resource-efficient technologies and integrate green hydrogen, contributing to India's
low-carbon steel transition.
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Support Area II: Adaptation to Climate Change
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Support Area III: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural
Carbon Sinks/REDD+
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22_III_123_IND_G_RECAP4NDC – Restore Conserve and Protect Forest and Tree Cover for
NDC Implementation in India
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Project update
Landscapes extending to approximately 2,13,000 hectares in four regions (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand,
and Delhi NCR) of the country identified and agreed with state forest departments for development of detailed
project reports and subsequent implementation of FLR measures. Know More
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News relevant to the project
The Indian government prioritizes the greening and restoration of the Aravalli Ridge, with GIZ supporting
MoEFCC in preparing a restoration plan set to launch in 2025. Know More
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare issued National Nursery Accreditation Guidelines to strengthen
the institutional framework for producing and certifying large-scale planting materials, promoting agroforestry
nationwide, with the RECAP4NDC project, exploring support for state forest departments in proposal development. Know More
The recently released India State of Forests Report 2023 is an essential government resource providing statistics
on the current forest and tree cover in the country. The data in this report serves as a crucial reference for
calculating improvements in forest cover and density, both within Recorded Forests and Trees Outside Forests.
This project will utilize the report’s data while planning restoration models for the 12 selected model sites across
four project locations. The data will also form part of the baseline against which improvements will be measured
throughout the restoration activities in these sites. Know More
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Support Area IV: Biodiversity
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22_IV_109_Global_A_Living Lakes – Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project
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Project update
Project organized a three-day cultural handloom weaving capacity building workshop. The Nature Environment
& Wildlife Society (NEWS) organized a knowledge exchange field trip to Wular & Hokersar lakes. Additionally,
a two-day group dynamics and financial literacy training for Self-Help Groups was conducted in Mikirpara,
Chakardo. Know More
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18_IV_075_IND_G_Wetlands Management – Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and
Climate Protection
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Project update
GIZ and Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group launched a community-driven initiative in Uttar Pradesh,
including Ramsar Sites, to enhance wetland management through capacity building, sustainable livelihoods,
and youth awareness, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits. Know More
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19_IV_096_IND_G_Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems – Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems in
India's Northeastern Himalaya Region (NERAQ)
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Project update
NERAQ’s end is just the beginning: The North-East India Freshwater Collective (NEIFC) launched on November
26, 2024. Know More
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News relevant to the project
In November 2024, India introduced an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning
with the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference, setting 23 national targets to restore ecosystems, protect wetlands,
and sustainably manage land and waters, with a goal to conserve 30% of its natural areas by 2030. Know More
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13_IV+_039_Global_M_ICCAs support - Support to indigenous peoples’ and community
conserved areas and territories (ICCAs)
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Project update
The project strengthened the capacities of local Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and communities to identify,
recognize, support and strengthen actions for enhancing local livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and socioecological
resilience against shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Know More
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INTERVIEW MR JIWESH NANDAN, DISTINGUISHED FELLOW AT TERI’S INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY DIVISION
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Mr Jiwesh Nandan, Distinguished Fellow at TERI, has over 34 years of expertise in power, energy efficiency, and
renewables. He has led key decarbonization initiatives, including the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme
and brings deep technical insights from GIZ’s Indo-German Energy Programme.
The interview with Mr Jiwesh Nandan highlights critical challenges and solutions in India's energy sector. He
emphasizes barriers in scaling energy efficiency programmes in India. On renewable integration, he underscores
the need for diverse and cost-effective energy storage solutions and separate value chain recognition for
storage. Drawing from the Indo-German Energy Programme, he highlights the importance of international
collaborations in accelerating India’s energy transition. Know more
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SPECIAL FEATURE: YOUTH RIGHTS IN THE AGE OF CLIMATE
CRISIS: AN INDIAN AND GLOBAL SOUTH PERSPECTIVE |
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India’s youth are often overlooked when it comes to their rights to education, healthcare, and employment
– challenges that are increasingly compounded by climate change. Young people from low-income urban
communities face great risks, as extreme weather disrupts their education, heightens health concerns, and limits
their economic opportunities disproportionately. Many young workers remain in informal employment, lacking
stability and social protections, while climate anxiety further affects their well-being.
Possibilities for addressing these challenges lie in the institutionalizing of youth-led grassroots initiatives,
integrating their voices in city planning, expanding access to green jobs, and ensuring climate education, among
other things.
Despite their stake in the issue, youth often remain on the margins of global climate discussions. Experiences
from India and other Global South countries show that when young people receive the necessary resources
and institutional support, they can drive meaningful change. The challenge remains: how can decision-making
structures integrate their voices in a way that leads to lasting impact? Know more
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CLIMATE WORLD IN NUMBERS |
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* The forestry data presented—2022 for Germany and 2023 for India—is intended to highlight broader trends and differences between
the two countries.
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The Restore, Conserve, and Protect Forest and Tree Cover for NDC Implementation in India (RECAP4NDC)
project collaborates with the state forest departments of Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, NCT Delhi, Haryana,
and Rajasthan (Delhi NCR) to plan and implement restoration models across 12 degraded forest landscapes.
These models aim to demonstrate how restoration efforts can achieve multiple objectives, including enhancing
carbon sequestration and increasing carbon stock in degraded forest areas. Know more
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CURRENT PROJECTS
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| Global |
Regional |
Bilateral |
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CHANGES IN PERSONNEL IN PARTNER MINISTRIES/AGENCIES |
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1. Mr Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary: Responsible for matters related to international
cooperation, climate change, NATCOM, IPCC, pollution control, CPCB, resource economy, circular
economy, Green Credit Programme, designated nodal authority/carbon market/carbon trading
platform, etc.
2. Mr Amandeep Garg, Additional Secretary: Responsible for matters pertaining to Mission LiFE,
impact assessment, environmental policy and law, biological diversity (CBD), and the National
Biodiversity Authority (NBA), etc.
3. Mr Rajat Agarwal, Joint Secretary: Responsible for matters concerning wetlands and the Ramsar
Convention, Ozone Cell and the Montreal Protocol, coastal management, marine conservation,
mangroves, and corals, etc.
4. Mr Neelesh Kumar Sah, Joint Secretary: Responsible for matters related to international cooperation,
climate change, Global Environment Facility (GEF), all UNDP projects, and engagements under G20
and SCO, etc.
5. Ms Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor: Responsible for matters related to climate finance, Green
Climate Fund (GCF), adaptation communication and NAPCC, multilateral and regional cooperation
agreements, Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LEADIT), and matters involving the World
Bank/ADB, etc.
6. Mr Amit Raj, Director: Responsible for matters related to Hazardous Substances Management
Division (HSMD) and circular economy. He will report to Mr Ved Prakash Mishra, Joint Secretary.
Additionally, he has been allocated the project — Alleviating Heat Stress by Enhancing Cooling
Devices and Strategic Integration of Passive Measures to Enhance Thermal Comfort: A Catalyst for
Effectively Implementing the India Cooling Action Plan in Selected States of India. For this, he will
report to Ms Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor.
7. Ms Jaspreet Kaur, Deputy Secretary: Recently joined the MoEFCC. She has been allocated
responsibilities related to international cooperation, including all bilateral matters (MoUs/
agreements/JWGs) and multilateral cooperation involving G20, G7, BRICS, SCO, SACEP, BIMSTEC,
UNEP, GEF, etc. She will report to Mr Neelesh Kumar Sah, Joint Secretary.
8. Ms Shomita Biswas: Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of the Forest Force in
Maharashtra
9. Mr Milind Mhaiskar: Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest in Maharashtra
10. Mr SS Khandpal: Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in Delhi
11. Dr Vivek Saxena: PCCF, Budget and Planning in Haryana and Nodal Officer
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| Published by: |
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Registered offices in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany
Dag-Hammerskjöld-Weg 1-5
65760 Eschborn
T +49 61 96 79-0
F +49 61 96 79-11 15
alexander.fisher@giz.de
www.giz.de
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| Responsible: |
Dr Alexander Fisher, Project Director Climate Action Program/International
Climate Initiative (IKI) Interface at GIZ India
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| Edited by: |
Dr Alexander Fisher (GIZ), Vani Pandey (TERI), and Mr Souvik Bhattacharjya (TERI)
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| Date: |
October-December 2024
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GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication
International Climate Initiative (IKI)
www.international-climate-initiative.com
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