Panaji: State govt has reconstituted its three-tier climate governance framework, expanding representation from govt departments, scientific institutions, financial agencies and international organisations to strengthen coordination under the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).Goa first adopted the three-tier institutional mechanism in Sep 2021 under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), following decisions taken at the fund’s state-level steering committee meeting earlier that year.The reconstituted State Governing Council for Climate Change will continue as the apex policy-making body. Chaired by the chief minister, it includes environmentalist Dr Ashok Khosla, marine scientist Dr Satish Shetye, senior secretaries from key departments, and representatives of institutions such as Goa University, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, BITS Pilani Goa Campus, IIT Goa and NIT Goa. National and international organisations, including UNDP, UNEP, NABARD, SIDBI and Power Finance Corporation, are also members. The council will meet at least once annually.The State Level Steering Committee, chaired by the chief secretary, will coordinate implementation of climate actions and appraise adaptation projects. It includes senior officials, climate experts Prof Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi and Dr Lidita DS Khandeparker, with the director of environment and climate change as convenor. The committee will meet twice a year.The Climate Change Cell Committee will function as the technical and coordination arm for implementing and monitoring climate initiatives. Its membership has been expanded to include representatives from the CDRGG project, Blended Climate Finance Facility SPV, Goa SHORE Project Management Unit, Goa State Climate Change Cell, NABARD and TERI. It will meet at least three times annually.All three bodies have been constituted for a three-year term and may co-opt additional members whenever required.
