Gujarat Govt. in consonance with TERI proactively prepares itself to tackle climate change

New Delhi, Sept 19 (ANI/Business Wire India): With environment protection assuming urgency, in first-of-its-kind initiative by any state in India, the Government of Gujarat, in consonance with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is holding two-day orientation programme on climate change for ministers, senior government officials and policy planners of Gujarat.

It was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and key note address was delivered by Dr. R. K. Pachauri, Chairman IPCC and DG TERI.

The objective of the programme has been to develop climate change perspective in the higher echelons of decision-making in Gujarat and also to derive a framework of action to be incorporated in all policy decisions. This is a unique initiative Narendra Modi, first of its kind in the country, wherein he has motivated so many officers and Ministers to get the lessons on Climate Change by one of the most eminent persons in the field - Dr. R.K. Pachauri.

While delivering his inaugural address Modi delineated a number of steps which his Government has undertaken ranging from large scale introduction of CNG in vehicles in order to reduce emission levels in transport sector to special focus his Government is lending to massive development of solar and wind power in the State.

Modi declared the readiness of his Government to provide intellectual capital for mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change and also called upon industries for partnership in these spheres.

He expressed his intention of declaring comprehensive climate change policy for Gujarat State, which would incorporate incentives, and financial assistance for research and development in Climate Change efforts.

He declared that Gujarat would become a destination of investment for renewal energy industry especially in the field of large scale solar power plants, solar powered drying, large scale wind farms, power generation from urban waste and plantation for production of bio energy.

He said that he wanted to make Gujarat a hub for renewal energy industry and for this he offered to provide all institutional and policy support. Government of Gujarat would soon be introducing Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate Course in Climate Change for the first time in the country.

An MoU between the Gujarat and The Energy and Resources Institute was also signed today wherein it was decided to work jointly on missions specific to Gujarat identified in National Action Plan on Climate Change in various fields.

Other initiatives include inclusion of subject of Climate Change in school curricula, training of school teachers, organising need-based orientation programs on Climate Change, assessment of climate change adaptation and mitigation options and integrating it in the ongoing initiatives of the state, capacity building etc.

Enunciating about the negative impact of climate change, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director- General TERI said, "From adaptation to regulatory constraints, climate change poses real risks and opportunities that policy makers and companies must begin to plan strategically today.

"This challenge has also brought in opportunities to become green and promote cleaner growth engines. In India such interventions at state level are important to increase the resilience against such threats and to benefit by adopting cleaner ways of operations. Policymakers and practitioners, directly or indirectly related to environment and climate issues, therefore, have a critical role to play in enabling decision tools for risk reduction," he said.

Scientific research indicates that climate change has increased the probability of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, acute heat waves, and floods in some areas and drought in others.

The impacts are expected to further aggravate in developing countries like India, whose economies are closely tied to climate-sensitive sector like agriculture, which is already facing multiple pressures due to population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation, and globalisation.

The orientation programme will provide a cohesive background to the issue of climate change with a special reference to Gujarat. It will discuss the missions identified by the National Action Plan, its implications at state level and the interventions to be undertaken through various policies and programmes at state level.

They will also visit Teri's RETREAT Complex, at the outskirts of Delhi, where they would get first hand experience regarding sustainable building design, energy efficiency and best practices of green building, practical and innovative use of renewable energy, waste management.

ANI