Govt aid, corporate funds finance MSMEs' measures to cut emission
Other steps also to protect MSMEs from climate-related risks
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Support from the government and funds under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) can help finance MSMEs' measures to curb carbon emission, according to experts.
Transition to clean energy, climate-informed building bylaws and combining active and passive cooling technologies to improve workers' productivity are some of the other steps that can protect MSMEs from climate-related risks, they said. "The government and the private sector need to provide seed funds so that industrial clusters can empower local leaders to anticipate risks, prepare plans and act proactively before climate shocks hit," said Giriraj Amarnath, Research Group Leader, Water Data for Climate Resilience, International Water Management Institute. CSR funds, too, can be leveraged for building resilience measures, he said, adding, "data-driven early warning and IoT-based forecasting models can help MSMEs adopt a no-regret approach".
Citing an example of the impact of extreme weather on MSMEs, Raghav Dalmia from Prayagraj Dyeing and Printing Mills pointed out that Surat's textile MSMEs face acute heat stress challenges, with machines operating at 130-180 degrees and poor ventilation compounding the problem. Umamaheshwaran Rajasekar recommended establishing new infrastructure that can account for emerging climate risks during the design phase.
"Besides, for new MSME clusters or SEZs, the government can mandate climate-informed building bylaws (e.g., raised plinth levels, soft stories for flood safety).
"Retrofitting is far harder once clusters are already operational, especially against floods... MSMEs need guidance on locating critical equipment (e.g., batteries, electrical panels) in safer, elevated zones to reduce flood risk," he said.
