As per the directives of MoEFCC, the initial SAPCCs need to be strengthened with latest scientific assessments and projections. In this context, Maharashtra government engaged IORA to revise Maharashtra SAPCC 1.0 in line with the guidance provided in the Common Framework for Revision of SAPCCs. The updation process includes latest climate analytics (IPCC AR5) and ensures that the identified action plans are aligned with India’s national and international commitments (NDCs and SDGs) and state priorities (state’s SDG targets, Maji Vasundhara). The existing SAPCC will be reviewed to highlight the current gaps and accordingly provide recommendations to address them. IORA is also developing elaborate implementation, finance and M&E plans towards achieving the targets effectively and execution of the overall revised SAPCC.

IORA is currently engaged by the Assam Climate Change Management Society to update and review the current SAPCC and prepare a Vulnerability Action Plan for 6 Agro-Climatic Zones of Assam. We endeavor to review the ASAPCC document and align it with the SDGs, NDCs, missions and national, international commitments of India, keeping in view the state government’s priorities to boost up the climate resilience of Assam. A brief report on gaps and recommendations along with Table of Contents of the revised SAPPC will be shared by IORA. The revised SAPCC will also involve incorporation of inputs form Nodal Department, State Steering Committee and MoEFCC. A Vulnerability Assessment report will also be submitted, along with listing of available and best suited climate projection for Assam, selected indicators for the study, vulnerability indices for the 6 zones and drivers of vulnerability for adaptation planning.

IORA developed a concept note and project proposal for better soil and water management in the arid areas of Telangana. We assessed the scope, cost and sustainability of prioritized interventions, suggested by state department in the State Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC), under this project.

IORA assisted the Governments of Mizoram and Sikkim in developing their respective State Water Policies. The policies were drafted after reviewing the existing state policies and the National Water Policy’2012. The policies incorporate state specific water management needs, based on salient features of the National Water Policy and best practices of other state policies. They also align with the broad objectives of the National Water Mission. The new policies incorporate socio-economic considerations including gender aspects. They provide advisory on managing water efficiently, while ensuring equitable access.

IORA was commissioned by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to formulate a national policy on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). CSA is an integrated approach that aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, farmer incomes and food security. It aims to build climate resilience in agriculture and reduce GHG emissions from the sector. IORA developed the national policy’s corresponding operational guidelines that enable relevant targeted convergence of ‘packages of practices’ at village cluster level in the most vulnerable districts of India, as defined by Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).

IORA worked with Korea Carbon Finance (KCF) to evaluate and design the first ever Monitoring Reporting Verification (MRV) framework for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) in India. The evaluation and designing were carried out in the transportation and building sectors, which have been grossly under-represented in the existing CDM regime. IORA assessed the viability of the designed systems in line with existing institutional frameworks for data gathering in the country and proposed a C-NAMA which included CDM requirements, lessons for implementation and a gap analysis.

IORA (in partnership with Korea Carbon Finance (KCF) and Korea Energy Management Corporation (KEMCO) designed one of the first pilot projects – Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in India for the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) scheme. We also engaged extensively with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and India Energy Exchange (IEX) to design this pilot project. The findings of this study were published in a report titled “NAMA Crediting – From its concept to MRV options” by KEMCO during the Conference of Parties (COP) – 19, 2013 meeting in Warsaw.

Commissioned by the World Bank, IORA is generating an evidence-base for Nepal’s policymakers, development partners, and private sector to prioritize key climate transition areas and accelerate action in these areas. The team will conduct a quick meta data analysis and review the basic economic structure and climate change adaptation & mitigation approaches adopted by the country. Based on mapping and critical analysis of the country’s climate commitments and existing sectoral policy actions, IORA will reflect on the state-of-play of the institutional arrangements, policy reform process, planning systems and program implementation status towards identification of barriers which are hindering Nepal’s transition to a climate resilient and green future nation.

Commissioned by the World Bank, IORA is conducting an extensive country-specific review of existing information and gap identification at a national, sub-national and sectoral level for the intended transitions across development and climate change. This Climate Finance readiness review will provide an analysis of overall investment and spending goals, climate investment potentials, implications of tax revenue and climate finance deployment. IORA also aims to generate evidence to build a strong justification for India’s policymakers and private sector to accelerate the country’s transition towards decarbonization and climate adaptation, through this project. We will further identify the critical barriers and existing perverse policy incentives across sectors, which hinder India’s transition to a climate resilient and a green future nation.