Knowledge management on climate adaptation is very essential for Odisha due to its diverse bio-geographic and climate variations from the coasts to the mountain ranges.
Knowledge on climate change impacts, vulnerability assessment and cost effective adaptation and resilience planning are necessary. Impact assessments, successful pilot projects on adaptation must be promoted and knowledge products must be disseminated in widest possible knowledge forums by blogs and policy briefs workshops and meetings for knowledge sharing.Presentation of best practices must be encouraged.
Integrated assessment on different ecological zones,economic impacts of climate change and evaluating cost benefit analysis of different adaptation optionsare essential.
Encouragingresearch and establishing research networks on impacts of climate change on key sectors (agriculture, health, biodiversity, oceans and coastal systems etc.), creating institutional network for knowledge exchange and developing institutional and capacity and human resource development, and most important, providing inputs to private sector in research and collaborations and partnerships for inter-disciplinary research are also essential. Apart from agriculture and coasts, urban areas, forests and water management too pose a complex challenge. In all these areas, the challenges of mainstreaming climate change are simultaneously scientific, economic, social and institutional.
New buildings are designed to need less cooling and heating through intelligent design. Planning for urban spaces need to focus on multiple objectives that a city should meet in these times — of livability, low congestion, efficient functioning and a small environmental footprint.
Building the capacity to address the complex challenges of climate change needs should get a push. Devising and implementing a robust institutional structure that can generate appropriate knowledge, design policy and infrastructure interventions, coordinate across line departments and across scales of governance, ensure accountability for implementation, and provide an interface to business and civil society groups are need of the hour.