In a significant move towards sustainable development, the Bihar government announced a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing climate finance and environmental resilience in the state. Unveiled during the Bihar Climate Finance Summit on Monday, the plans include establishing a dedicated climate finance cell within the finance department and launching a Renewable Energy (RE) Policy in November. The summit was jointly organized by the Finance Department and WRI India.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary underscored the state’s commitment to securing climate finance and advancing green initiatives.
“In the undivided Bihar, Jharkhand contributed 87% of the revenue while Bihar contributed only 13%, but the current government has worked tirelessly to ensure financial resources for economic and social development. We’ve also increased our green cover from 10% to approximately 16%. Other climate actions include promoting solar energy, scientific waste management, and electric vehicles,” Choudhary stated, highlighting the government’s dedication to environmental progress.
Strategic Climate Finance Initiatives
During the summit, Anand Kishore, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, confirmed that a proposal to establish the climate finance cell would soon be sent to the state government for approval.
“Pending state government approval, we will soon establish a Climate Finance Cell within the department. Its main functions will include identifying green or climate-oriented projects, securing financing, supporting other departments in accessing climate finance, and monitoring these green initiatives,” he explained. This cell is expected to streamline the identification, funding, and monitoring of green projects across Bihar.
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Additionally, the state’s anticipated Renewable Energy Policy, set for a November release, aims to expand the use of renewable energy across sectors, particularly in agriculture. Secretary of the Energy Department Pankaj Kumar Pal noted that “we have already solarized around 33% of agriculture feeders,” showcasing Bihar’s strides in renewable energy adoption.
Climate Initiatives Across Departments
The summit also saw various department heads share their strategies for climate adaptation and resilience. Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, cited recent climate-resilient infrastructure projects, including the construction of rubber dams on the Falgu River and the Ganga Water Lift Scheme. He further advocated for environmental education, sustainable water use, and restrictions on tree felling to protect Bihar’s biodiversity.
Development Commissioner Pratyaya Amrit emphasized the necessity of private sector involvement, “Bihar is one of 25 states with a State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). We’ve increased our green budget component from 7% to 10% and are implementing various efforts under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali and Bihar Vikas Mission initiatives,” he said, underscoring the state’s strategic commitment to green development.
Strengthening Disaster Management and Climate Resilience
Representatives also focused on disaster preparedness and resilience. Uday Kant Misra, Vice Chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), described BSDMA’s collaborative work with ISRO and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to monitor flood risks and develop “digital twin” technology for forecasting urban floods. These efforts aim to mitigate climate-related disasters more effectively, reflecting the growing need for data-driven solutions in the state’s climate response.
Mobilizing Private and Public Climate Finance
Various officials stressed the importance of attracting private investment in Bihar’s climate goals. Ashima Jain, Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department, pointed out that “the public sector alone cannot meet the full demand for climate finance.” Jain highlighted the need for private sector support through public-private partnerships and financial instruments like green bonds and carbon credits, noting that technical capacity-building is essential for successful integration.
Highlighting cross-departmental collaboration, Abhay Kumar Singh, Secretary of Urban Development and Housing, emphasized initiatives such as Patna’s waste-to-energy projects and rainwater harvesting. Secretary of Transport Sanjay Kumar Agarwal proposed dedicated budget allocations for green projects, which could further attract private sector investment in sustainable development.
Environmental Advocacy and Long-Term Vision
As the summit concluded, Patna’s Development Commissioner, Mayank Warwade, affirmed Bihar’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070, with efforts already underway. S Chandrasekar, Chief Conservator of Forest, called for an expansion of Bihar’s green cover through afforestation and agroforestry initiatives. This aligns with the state’s efforts to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience across both rural and urban landscapes.
Ulka Kelkar, Executive Director of Climate, Economics, and Finance at WRI India, stressed the timeliness of the workshop as COP29 in Baku approaches. “With climate finance as a central issue, this workshop allows for sharing experiences and priorities to mobilize climate finance aligned with Bihar’s climate goals,” Kelkar stated.
