December 20, 2022 - Tripura has officially been welcomed into the Under2 Coalition of states and regions, becoming the seventh Indian state committed to work in line with the Paris Agreement, by supporting the Coalition's goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Several geographical and socio-economic factors have rendered Tripura uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Being the second most populous state in the northeast, Tripura is home to 40,51,000 people (as of 2020), out of which a majority are dependent on natural resources. The state economy is driven primarily by the climate-vulnerable agricultural sector, with more than 96% of its farmers classified as being in the small and marginal category. Further, being blessed with rich, endemic, and endangered natural resources, the state is one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. Tripura's decision to join the Under2 Coalition will help the state access global best practices to achieve a sustainable development model, with climate resilience at its core.
Recently mentioned in the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat, Tripura has been widely hailed for its inclusive approach to climate action through its innovative bio villages project, conceptualised by the state's Directorate of Biotechnology. The state is working on setting up 100 bio villages, providing alternative means of income to inhabitants and bolstering economic development using green technology, with climate resilience taking centre stage. Joining the Under2 Coalition will enable Tripura to share its knowledge with other states and regions across the world as well as to access current data and expertise to strengthen its climate work further.
Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Tripura said: "We look forward to this collaboration with the Under2 Coalition to double down on our inclusive efforts to address the climate emergency. This is a powerful opportunity for us to unlock strategic knowledge
exchange and technical partnerships with our global subnational peers while showcasing Tripura's climate action on a global platform."
Divya Sharma, India Executive Director at Climate Group, said: "We applaud and welcome Tripura's climate leadership with this significant decision to join the Under2 Coalition. Adding another voice from India to this powerful global chorus is crucial in the context of subnational governments' pivotal place at international decision-making tables. This step signals Tripura's ambitious commitment to climate action."
Formed in 2015, the Under2 Coalition is a global community of more than 270 governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. It has been named one of the international partnerships with the highest potential for emissions reduction - 3.3-3.9GtCO2e/year in 2030 - more than the current annual emissions of the EU (Global Climate Action from Cities, Regions and Businesses Report, 2021).
International non-profit Climate Group is Secretariat to the Coalition, working with governments and businesses to identify pathways to reduce emissions. Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal are the other six Indian regions that are part of the Under2 Coalition. Including Tripura now, these Indian subnational regions represent 29.07% of India's population and contribute nearly 30% to the country's GDP.
