Indian states and providing light for 160,000 people. TERI has also established solar photovoltaic charging stations in each village to recharge the lanterns. These charging stations are operated by local entrepreneurs who are selected and trained by TERI and other grassroots partners. The initiative facilitates socioeconomic development of villages, while also offering local and global environmental benefits. Each solar lantern displaces the use of about 40–60 litres of kerosene a year and an estimated 400–500 litres of kerosene in a lifespan of 10 years, thereby mitigating about 1.45 tonnes of CO2. Users, particularly women, reported a significant reduction in frequent coughs and eye rashes as a result of replacing kerosene or paraffin lamps with the solar lanterns. They also report fewer accidents and injuries due to toppling of kerosene lamps. At the household level, the initiative helps reduce smoke pollution in rural women’s indoor work environment, resulting in fewer complaints of red eyes and heavy headaches. 8.2 Understanding the Right to Health in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation Policies The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health may also be impacted in critical ways by climate change adaptation actions. Overall, States’ adaptation actions should address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health in an integrated manner, across various sectors. For example, adaptation policies relating to food and agriculture, transportation, water quality, land use planning and migration may all have a direct impact on human health. To this end, it will be important to sensitize and mobilise policy makers and the health community to the variety of health challenges posed by climate change. Effective and flexible adaptation will require leadership from within the health sector, for example by direct participation in the elaboration of National Adaptation Plans of Action. Furthermore, a more widespread use of health impact assessments for policymaking could also help strengthen the adaptive capacity of the health system. 320 321 General Comment No 14, supra note 57 at para 3. Ibid at para 4. 82

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