Integrating Grasslands into National Climate Plans and NDCs as Crucial Carbon Sinks
Grasslands and savannahs are often overlooked in global climate negotiations, which tend to focus on forests. However, they are vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. The UN has declared 2026 as the International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists. In India, grasslands are managed by 18 different ministries with often conflicting goals, such as the 'wasteland atlas' labeling them for conversion. Integrating grasslands into India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) could help achieve the target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
Key Points
- Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems due to agriculture, invasive species, and conversion to forests.
- The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30 focused heavily on forests, neglecting other biomes.
- In India, 18 ministries have purview over grasslands, leading to policy silos and conflicting land-use goals.
- Grasslands can be more resilient carbon sinks than forests in certain fire-prone or dry environments.
Exam Facts
- 2026 is the UN International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists.
- India's NDC target is to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
- The 'Cerrado' is a vast, biodiverse savannah in Brazil.
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