May 2024
Unpacking The Green Credit Programme- Report
At COP26 in Glasgow, 2021, India introduced the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFe) movement, aimed at steering individual behaviors toward sustainability. Supporting this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) unveiled the Green Credit Programme (GCP) to promote eco-friendly practices. Described as a market-based mechanism, it aims to incentivize voluntary environmental actions by stakeholders such as individuals, communities, and industries.
Despite its positive intent, the large-scale tree plantation program has drawn criticism from environmentalists and conservationists. Concerns include high mortality rates of plantations due to monoculture practices, inefficient use of financial resources, and partial recognition of community forest rights (CFR). Therefore, an ecologically sensitive approach, considering India's diverse bio-geographic zones, is needed to address these challenges and assess the program's impact accurately.
The webinar brought together a diverse set of stakeholders, hosting speakers working across the spectrum of policy and governance, and environmental justice for an insightful discussion to delve into the complexities around the GCP. Through shared insights and meaningful dialogue, the diverse panel helped provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the GCP rooted in realities, helping identify potential areas of sensitization and recommendations to make the GCP beneficial for different stakeholders.