Mainstreaming Adaptation in Action: Case Studies from Two States in India

This research paper by the World Resources Institute examines the integration, or 'mainstreaming', of climate change adaptation into sectoral development plans and budgets in India. Using case studies from Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the paper identifies key drivers for successful adaptation, such as the role of political and administrative leadership, the importance of programmatic over project-specific funding for sustainability, and the necessity of capacity building and inter-sectoral coordination.

• Programmatic mainstreaming, where adaptation is integrated into a department's day-to-day budgets and work, is potentially more financially sustainable than project-based mainstreaming. While sectoral budgets are often constrained, they provide continuous access to funds, whereas stand-alone adaptation interventions are typically time-bound and lack long-term funding options.
• Strategic use of funding streams can facilitate adaptation without requiring a complete overhaul of existing programs. In Madhya Pradesh, the Department of Animal Husbandry used sectoral funds to promote climate-resilient cow species. In Uttarakhand, a multisectoral project utilized a combination of cofinancing from involved departments and subsidies from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to build polyhouses as an alternative to rain-fed farming.
• Policy frameworks like State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) support early-stage mainstreaming, though their impact varies. In Madhya Pradesh, the process of developing the SAPCC—including working groups and expert access—was more influential than the final document. In Uttarakhand, the Forest Department's preparation of the SAPCC with UNDP support helped the department lead adaptation projects and guided the selection of activities and locations.
• Successful mainstreaming requires complementary support from both political and administrative leaders. Political leaders are effective at communicating high-level plans and incentive schemes to local communities, while administrative leaders, such as the chief secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry in Madhya Pradesh, control the allocation and strategic use of funds.
• Capacity building, institutional memory, and inter-sectoral coordination are essential for sustaining adaptation efforts. Investment in training and information-sharing helps maintain progress despite personnel turnover. Furthermore, persistent communication between sectors and entities—such as the State Climate Change Cell and UNDP in Uttarakhand—is critical, particularly when a clear lead implementer, like the Forest Department, is present.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Mainstreaming Adaptation in Action: Case Studies from Two States in India. https://www.wri.org/research/mainstreaming-adaptation-action-case-studies-two-states-india

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Mainstreaming Adaptation in Action: Case Studies from Two States in India. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/mainstreaming-adaptation-action-case-studies-two-states-india.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Mainstreaming Adaptation in Action: Case Studies from Two States in India |url=https://www.wri.org/research/mainstreaming-adaptation-action-case-studies-two-states-india |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendmainstreaming, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Mainstreaming Adaptation in Action: Case Studies from Two States in India}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/mainstreaming-adaptation-action-case-studies-two-states-india}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }