New Delhi: Climate change is having serious repercussions on food security, health and livelihoods, and a well-structured framework of policies and actions is essential to effectively address such a complex challenge, said President Droupadi Murmu Sunday.Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day international conference on ‘The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics’, organised by National Green Tribunal, she said climate change creates imbalances across multiple levels of human existence and issues such as biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation are deeply intertwined with it.“A well-structured framework of policies and actions is essential to effectively address such a complex challenge. The framework must ensure the active participation of not only govts and legal experts but also the communities most affected by climate change. Special sensitivity towards the needs of rural and forest-dwelling societies, small farmers, women and other vulnerable communities is crucial, as they bear the brunt of natural disasters,” said the President.She emphasised that traditional knowledge systems, along with the practices and lived experiences of local communities, play a vital role in enhancing climate adaptation capacity. “We must strengthen climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge. Afforestation efforts that nurture biodiversity and are aligned with local conditions can be instrumental in this regard,” she said. She added that the true objective of sustainable afforestation is not merely planting trees but rather restoring healthy and self-sustaining ecosystems.President said that developing countries should chart a path that enhances resilience while maintaining the pace of development. Commitments to responsible climate action must align with the country’s development needs and economic aspirations, and they must also be technically feasible.During the event, Union minister Manohar Lal highlighted India’s efforts to balance rapid development with environmental sustainability, noting that non-fossil sources account for nearly 55% of installed generation capacity. He said India had achieved its 50% non-fossil capacity target five years ahead of schedule.NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said climate action must be inclusive and equitable, particularly attentive to vulnerable communities and future generations, while environmental law must remain responsive and forward-looking, embracing technology, innovation, sustainable finance and just transition.
