22-March-2024-Special-Article

LOW-CARBON ACTION PLAN (LCAP)

Bihar has embarked on a significant initiative to bolster its waste management profile through the formulation of a Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) for the waste and domestic wastewater sector. This strategic endeavor aligns with Bihar’s commitment to becoming a Net Zero state by 2070.

Components of the Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP):

Assessment and Inventory:

• Conducts a thorough assessment of existing waste management infrastructure, including solid waste and domestic wastewater sectors.
• Gathers data on waste generation, treatment methods, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to inform the planning process.

Identification of Key Issues:

• Identifies challenges such as inadequate sewage collection and treatment, poor waste segregation, and unmanaged solid waste disposal.

Setting Targets and Goals:

• Establishes ambitious targets for emission reductions and waste management improvements, delineated for various timeframes including 2030, 2050, and 2070.

Intervention Strategies:

• Proposes low-carbon interventions like improving waste segregation, enhancing collection and transportation systems, implementing efficient treatment technologies, and promoting methane recovery from wastewater.

Community Engagement and Policy Enforcement:

• Recognizes the importance of active participation from stakeholders and policy-driven enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with waste management regulations and promote sustainable practices.

Benefits of LCAPs:

Environmental Benefits:

• Mitigates climate change by reducing emissions, thereby slowing global warming and its associated impacts like extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

Public Health Benefits:

• Improves air quality by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, leading to fewer respiratory illnesses and promoting healthier communities.

Economic Benefits:

• Creates new jobs in renewable energy sectors and generates long-term cost savings from reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Challenges of LCAPs:

Upfront Costs:

• Initial investment required for transitioning to renewable energy sources or energy-efficient technologies.

Changing Habits:

• Resistance from individuals to lifestyle changes such as increased use of public transport or reduced reliance on personal vehicles.

Political Will:

• Sustained effort needed to implement low-carbon plans, facing potential political resistance from industries that may be disrupted.

Equity Concerns:

• Ensuring fairness in the transition to a low-carbon economy to avoid placing unequal burdens on disadvantaged groups.

Initiatives Related to Waste Management in India:

Solid Waste Management Rules 2016:

• Focuses on waste segregation at source, manufacturer responsibility for waste disposal, and user fees for waste collection and processing.

Waste to Wealth Portal:

• Identifies, develops, and deploys technologies to treat waste for energy generation and material recycling.

Waste to Energy:

• Converts municipal and industrial solid waste into electricity and/or heat for industrial processing.

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016:

• Mandates measures to minimize plastic waste generation, prevent littering, and ensure segregated storage of waste at source.

Project REPLAN:

• Aims to produce carry bags by mixing processed plastic waste with cotton fibre rags.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:

• Specifies responsibilities of stakeholders to manage plastic waste effectively and prevent environmental pollution.

Way Forward for LCAP Implementation:

Spread the Burden:

• Utilize a mix of public and private funding sources to lessen the initial financial strain.

Focus on Long-term Savings:

• Emphasize the cost benefits of LCAPs in the long run to incentivize adoption of low-carbon technologies.

Set Ambitious but Achievable Goals:

• Establish clear, phased milestones to demonstrate progress and engage stakeholders effectively.

Job Training and Retraining:

• Invest in programs to equip people with skills for the low-carbon economy, ensuring a just transition for all.

Make Low-Carbon Options Attractive:

• Invest in public transportation infrastructure, create bike lanes, and offer subsidies for electric vehicles to encourage sustainable practices.

Mains Question:

2070. Discuss the significance of Bihar’s Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) for waste management and its alignment with the state’s commitment to becoming a Net Zero entity by 2070. (150 WORDS)