New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing India’s climate prediction capabilities, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) convened a two-day Climate Change Conclave at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, on May 27-28, 2024. The event focused on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in climate modeling, specifically tailored to India’s unique environmental challenges.
At the conclave, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, emphasized the critical advancements under the department’s National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). “These missions have been pivotal in supporting 19 Centers of Excellence and 37 significant R&D programs, which are instrumental in our fight against climate change,” Prof. Karandikar said. He also unveiled the draft executive summary of ‘District Level Climate Risk Assessment for India,’ underscoring the importance of localized climate models in devising effective adaptation strategies.
Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Advisor at DST, highlighted the developmental trajectory of DST’s Climate Change Programme and its alignment with the National Actions Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), focusing on fostering and mentoring nationwide climate change science and adaptation R&D programs.
Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Technology at DST, stressed the urgency of addressing climate impacts, noting that “with 40% of the world’s population already facing significant climate risks, accelerating the deployment of innovative climate solutions is imperative.”
The conclave also showcased the potential of next-generation technologies, including coal-to-methanol conversion, blue hydrogen production, and carbon capture and storage, presented by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi. These technologies are at the forefront of India’s efforts to mitigate environmental impacts.
The meeting drew experts from various prestigious institutions, including IIT Bhubaneswar, Banaras Hindu University, University of Delhi, and others, highlighting the collaborative approach required to tackle the complex issue of climate change effectively.
