Taking inspiration from the global Conference of Parties on Climate Change, the Conference of Panchayats (CoP) was conceptualised by PDAG and Asar in 2022 to localise climate discourse and action. CoP uses a bottom-up, community-driven model that centres Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as pivotal actors in localised climate response. The second edition, CoP 2.0, held between July 2023 and January 2024 across five divisions of Jharkhand, brought together over 250 elected PRI members, community leaders, CSOs, and government officials.

The convenings focused on:

• Understanding climate vulnerabilities faced by Jharkhand’s communities,
• Showcasing local adaptation and mitigation practices, and
• Exploring the potential of climate finance and convergence mechanisms to build resilience.

Participants shared lived experiences of climate impacts—declining rainfall, water scarcity, deforestation, crop losses, and disproportionate burdens on women and indigenous groups. Strategies like rainwater harvesting, crop diversification, afforestation, and use of renewable energy were discussed. Local governance bodies showcased initiatives and highlighted gaps in funding, awareness, and technical support.

Key takeaways include the need to empower Gram Panchayats, integrate climate resilience into village development plans, invest in climate-smart agriculture and skill-building, and build an institutional framework for a Just Transition in coal-dependent regions.

CoP 2.0 underscores that climate solutions must be local, inclusive, and informed by traditional knowledge—with PRIs leading the way.