Raipur: Chhattisgarh has become the first health ministry in India to pledge their intent to achieve net zero health sector emission target by 2050.

Showing leadership on climate action, Chhattisgarh health minister T S Singh Deo on Tuesday announced the state’s health department’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, by endorsing the UNFCCC’s global Race to Zero campaign. 

“Climate change is one of the largest threats facing the planet today. Climate vulnerabilities make it necessary to frame a long-term plan to tackle this threat, and thus it is the duty of the health department to show leadership in this field. I am pleased to announce that Chhattisgarh is the first state in India to commit to the health sector’s role to take steps to counter impacts of climate change and become net zero in accordance with the Race to Zero campaign”, Deo stated in an official release.

Global Race to Zero is a prestigious United Nations cross-sectoral global campaign, necessary to meet global carbon reduction goals. This is a critical measure to ensure better living conditions for future generations, he added. 

The minister also emphasized that Chhattisgarh’s health department has already taken steps aligning with the UNFCCC global call. “We have developed a comprehensive plan to tackle the health impacts of climate change through our efforts on the State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health. The department has also taken crucial steps like 100% solarization of the health centers to make them climate resilient and reduce their own carbon footprint”, added the minister. 

By endorsing the UNFCCC’s Race to Zero call, Chhattisgarh has become the first health ministry in India to pledge their intent to achieve net zero health sector emission target by 2050.

Formulation of a net zero plan by the health department in the state of Chhattisgarh, which is India’s coal mining heart, is a significant development. It opens doors towards solutions, for a range of complex issues pertaining to the state’s coal-based economy, its mounting problem of air pollution and resultant impacts on public health. A net zero commitment by the department, also brings forward the need to create important institutional frameworks to deliver on this enormous opportunity which will redirect the state’s resources towards more renewable based energy generation, clean air and clean power, said the officials. 

In the lead up to COP26 to be held in Glasgow later this year, there is a growing global discussion to consider net zero emissions by 2050. China announced its plans to become carbon neutral by 2060, US indicated its ambition to attain net zero emissions by 2050. EU targets net zero by 2050.  

Race to Zero (RtZ) is a global campaign initiated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to rally leadership and support from non-state actors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. It mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives by cities, regions, businesses, investors, and universities.