Fellows Recommendations: India

LEAD India Fellows made a number of observations regarding SDDs process, main points of which are summarised below:

• There needs to be a greater emphasis on climate change adaptation policies and practices
• Advocacy issues are not being covered adequately to address the real scale of the issue
• There is a need for media sector training on the importance of mass media in raising awareness on climate change and in driving lifestyle changes
• Range and diversity of partners involved in SDD need to be increased. Projects also need to be diversified into different sectors, regions and institutions (i.e. transport sector, forestry)
• There should be a greater attention to projects dealing with ecosystem services in general (currently the majority of projects listed focus on wildlife).

All projects developed under the SDD framework should be cross cutting and ensure a gender balance/mainstreaming. Funding for tribal-related projects and local self-governance should be increased. Documentation of traditional knowledge needs to take place, while protecting IPRs.

Fellows felt strongly that there needs to be a greater effort and resources on sharing knowledge and dissemination of key lessons learned – including upgrading and upscaling of the website and other online and printed resources that are currently available. A searchable database of all projects undertaken within the SDD framework would be a very helpful first step in tackling the issue.

Some potential projects ideas are:

• Media training in climate change with a special focus on directions that emerge post-COP 13 in Bali
• Green Buildings programme - within the larger sustainable cities theme
• Awareness raising programmes for Corporates
• Projects with an increased focus on adaptation strategies, e.g food security, de-forestation, wasteland restoration programmes
• Developing markets (ensuring benefits to communities) for eco-system services – developing institutions for establishing such markets
• Review and improvement of public transport, e.g., rickshawpullers, and health issues related to it
• Support Advocacy and Lifestyle Change campaigns