Leh, Ladakh – In a landmark event for environmental sustainability, the Leh City Climate Action Plan (CAP) was officially launched on September 6th, 2024, during the Climate 11 Summit in Leh. The unveiling, led by Chief Guest Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), marked a pivotal step in the city’s commitment to combating climate change.
The Leh CAP aims to significantly reduce the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while bolstering its resilience to climate impacts. The summit drew a diverse range of environmental experts and dignitaries, including the renowned “Iceman of India,” Sh. Norphel, Padma Shri Awardee, Sh. P. Stobdan, former Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, and defense expert Jigmet Takpa, former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), as well as Sh. Upendra Tripathy, former Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and ex-Director-General of the International Solar Alliance.
Sh. Ashish Verma, Country Coordinator for the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), alongside other key figures such as Sh. Moses Kunzang, Director of Urban Local Bodies in Ladakh, also took part in the event.
Developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in collaboration with GCoM and funded by the European Union, Leh’s CAP aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. The CAP provides a detailed roadmap for both climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Leh now joins other Indian cities, including Pune, Kolkata, Jamnagar, and Junagarh, in implementing CAP initiatives, and stands among 12,000 GCoM signatories globally committed to climate and energy goals.
In his address, CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson underscored the urgency of the situation. “We contribute almost nothing to global emissions, yet we suffer disproportionately from a problem that is not of our making,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for global support to address Ladakh’s climate challenges.
Jigmet Takpa’s research on carbon neutrality in Ladakh showcased the region’s potential to lead in environmental stewardship despite its limited resources. Notable contributions also came from Piara Powar, Executive Director of the FARE network, who highlighted Ladakh’s potential to influence climate action through sports, and Skalzang Rigzen, the first Indian to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen, who gave a stark account of the climate changes impacting the region’s glaciers and mountaineering activities.
The launch of the Leh City CAP serves as a powerful statement of the city’s determination to tackle climate change head-on, aligning with both national and global efforts. As climate challenges intensify worldwide, Leh’s initiative positions it as a leader in protecting its vulnerable communities and fragile ecosystem.
Sh. Ashish Verma, Country Coordinator for the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), also participated in a panel discussion titled “Climate Change Impacts on Ladakh: Initiatives at the Local Level,” which took place during Session 3 of the summit. Other panelists included Shri Rigzin Spalbar, Former Chairman/CEC of LAHDC Leh, Shri Aba Norphel, and Shri P. Stobdan, with Dr. Anjal Prakash, Research Director at Bharti School of Public Policy, moderating the session. The discussion explored the local challenges posed by climate change and the initiatives underway to address these threats.
The summit concluded with a unified call to action, urging all stakeholders to collaborate and ensure the successful implementation of the Leh City Climate Action Plan, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for Leh.