Grassroots climate action in Asia: the role of community-led initiatives

Climate change

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By Karuna Singh, Regional Director Asia of EarthDay.org.

Karuna was on the steering committee for India of the Global Environment Facility, UNDP, the Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and is a judge for the climate change challenge.

In the diverse landscapes of rural India, community-driven projects are emerging as critical components in the fight against environmental challenges. These grassroots efforts, often initiated and sustained by local residents, are having a profound impact on both the environment and the people involved. A notable example is the Star Village Awards, which recognises villages where the majority of the population collaborates to enhance their environment. The awards serve as a platform to showcase successful grassroots initiatives, promoting not only environmental sustainability but also biodiversity conservation. By sharing these stories with a global audience, other communities are encouraged to adopt similar approaches, fostering a broader positive impact on the environment. This is especially crucial given the alarming scientific evidence presented by the UN Secretary-General, which highlights the dire need for urgent action to avert ecological collapse.

The initiatives recognised by the Star Village Awards span a wide range of areas, showcasing innovative and practical solutions to environmental issues. For instance, some villages have instituted the planting of 111 trees for every girl child born, contributing significantly to the enhancement of green cover. Others have implemented the 4-square system to conserve water, transforming previously arid regions into fertile agricultural land. These practices are complemented by larger-scale efforts such as river rejuvenation, the construction of sand dunes for coastal protection, and the conservation of endangered species. One village in South India, for example, has been lauded for its successful efforts in preserving the Siberian stork, a species facing significant threats due to habitat loss. 

indian women farming and planting crops and trees

Beyond these environmental gains, the initiatives have had ripple effects on other aspects of rural life.

Villages have received recognition for their cleanliness campaigns, the adoption of sustainable farming techniques to regenerate soil and the preservation of biodiversity through the use of traditional knowledge and practices. By highlighting these examples, the awards programme not only rewards innovation but also inspires other communities to replicate successful models, driving a ripple effect of positive environmental action across the region.

Women play a particularly important role in these movements. Recognising this, efforts have been made to empower women leaders within local self-government (Panchayat) systems. Workshops have been organised to educate these women on the basic science of environmental issues, such as climate change, carbon footprints, greenhouse gases and water cycles. Equipped with this knowledge, the women are encouraged to identify and address the most pressing environmental concerns in their communities. To facilitate the implementation of solutions, they are connected with corporate sponsors and government schemes that can provide financial support. These workshops have been held in various Indian states, starting with Madhya Pradesh and supported by partnerships with organisations such as the BBC Media Centre.

In response to the growing trend of the 'feminisation of agriculture' - a phenomenon where women are increasingly taking responsibility for managing family-owned farms due to the migration of men to urban areas - new programmes have been introduced. In 2023, the Women Farmers for Earth initiative was launched, aiming to equip first-generation women farmers with essential managerial skills. The programme seeks to enhance the profitability of farms and help break the cycle of poverty that many rural families face. It also incorporates local communication strategies, such as folk theatre, to disseminate information effectively. The overarching goal is to empower women farmers to build assets and achieve long-term economic independence, further enhancing their role as stewards of environmental sustainability.

two indian women farming and tending to trees

On a more individual level, women’s self-help groups have been central to advancing both environmental and economic goals. These groups, known as Star Women, have engaged in a range of environmentally friendly income-generating activities, providing models for other communities to follow. Examples include:

  • women-led eco-tourism ventures offering boat tours of mangrove forests in coastal Maharashtra
  • the conversion of unwanted lake reeds into saleable baskets by women in Manipur
  • the rise of female Vaidyas (herbal medicine practitioners) in Chhattisgarh
  • women from the Bhil tribe have begun producing nutritional food from Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) flowers
  • others in Uttarakhand are leading water conservation initiatives.

These activities support environmental preservation and also provides economic opportunities, making women key contributors to the sustainability sector.

Recognising the health risks associated with traditional cooking and lighting methods, such as the use of coal, firewood and kerosene, a healthy energy campaign was launched to educate rural women on the dangers of these practices. Prolonged exposure to fossil fuel fumes poses significant health risks and often results in higher medical expenses, placing an additional burden on families with limited financial resources. The campaign promotes alternative, healthy renewable energy sources, empowering women to improve their well-being while reducing environmental harm.

These examples represent just a small fraction of the initiatives undertaken by rural communities in India, yet their impact is significant. By spotlighting successful projects, the goal is to create a multiplier effect, inspiring other communities to take similar action. This approach ensures that time and resources are not wasted by 'reinventing the wheel', but rather by learning from and building upon existing successful models.

indian women laughing while planting crop

The grassroots movements across rural India and Asia illustrate the power of community-led initiatives in addressing the global climate crisis.

By fostering local solutions, these efforts highlight how collective action can contribute to meaningful environmental progress. The success of these initiatives offers hope for a more sustainable future, demonstrating that even small, local actions can have far-reaching, global effects.