Climate change is not just a concern for climate scientists only. Threats from climate change have put a burden on the existence of the entire biosphere affecting the planet’s sustainability. Based on a wider range of impacts, climate change seeks innovative approaches to minimize the threats, adapt to the changes and mitigate the associated risks. Cutting carbon emissions and offsetting other Greenhouse Gases (GHG) is no doubt the most crucial step toward intervening in the problem, however, it will take longer time and efforts due to various scientific, economic, and geo-political factors. In such a scenario, building climate-resilient developmental pathways could be of greater impact. Climate-resilient pathways include strategies, choices, and actions that reduce climate change and its impacts. They also include actions to ensure that effective risk management and adaptation can be implemented and sustained. The climate-resilient geography can evolve itself by making continuous climate-friendly adjustments within the system. The two major components of a climate-resilient economy revolve around adaptation and mitigation strategies. Adaptation is a response system to anticipate and cope with the negative impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided. However, mitigation is a way to keep climate change impacts relatively moderate than reaching them extreme.

Jharkhand is a resource-rich state with large mineral reserves, forests, agricultural land, and small, medium and large industries. The anthropogenic activities associated with these resources not only change the climate but are also affected by the alteration in the climate. Although climate change is a synoptic or a regional issue, the scale of its impacts and vulnerability is quite localized in Jharkhand due to the spatial variation in economic activities and land use. A robust roadmap for building a climate-resilient Jharkhand relies on the state’s preparedness for the climate emergency, and the development of effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation plans.

The workshop aims to bring all the stakeholders of the comprehensive socio-economic and governance system of the state on a common platform to brainstorm and facilitate the idea of building a climate-resilient Jharkhand. It is conceptualized by keeping the idea of integrating both adaptation and mitigation strategies of climate change impacts in the state together. The broader goals and objectives of the workshop are as mentioned below.