Goa partners with World Bank to tackle sea level rise, coastal erosion and other climate change-related hazards

Organising and successfully following through on a Goa trip is impressive by itself, but going there to help the coastal state in its ongoing battle with climate change will require some next-level commitment. Fortunately, with a little World Bank involvement, things may be looking up for our favourite beachy destination.

Goa's idyllic coastline and laid-back lifestyle belie the harsh realities of climate change it is already facing. Studies have shown that about 80% of the Goan population lives in low-lying coastal areas, making it highly susceptible to flooding as sea levels rise at 1.5 mm a year in many of its coastlines. Further, fervently rising temperatures and an increase in devastating floods and cyclones in recent years have exacerbated the toll on the environment and economy of the popular getaway.

Recently, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that climate change is blurring the distinct seasons in Goa, with it now experiencing rainfall on days that were previously unheard of. Noting how hailstorms have begun battering villages in the coastal state’s interiors, Godinho emphasised the need for collective action beyond government efforts, urging everyone to contribute to the fight against climate change.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Goa has partnered with the World Bank to establish a first-of-its-kind sub-national climate-resilient green fund. This initiative aims to address the state's thrust towards adopting renewable energy and bolster its climate resilience.

To this end, the World Bank has agreed to collaborate with institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, and Power Finance Corporation to pool resources and offer loans at reduced rates for green projects undertaken by the local government and MSMEs. The fund will offer financial incentives to encourage the adoption of solar power plants, electric mobility solutions, and other climate-friendly measures. Power Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar explained that this initiative is envisioned as a model for other states in India to emulate in their own climate action plans.

Goa rolled out its own climate action plan in April last year, introducing climate-smart ways of mitigating the ongoing crisis. Some of the initiatives include the creation of raised embankments to protect the traditional Goan farmlands and a “rice park” to promote climate-smart seeds. A few years ago, the World Bank had also approved funding for a “sand dune park”, which aimed at preserving the region’s sprawling sand dunes and its fragile flora and fauna. This would also help protect the area from coastal erosion and storms, which are major threats to almost a third of the state’s coastlines.