Climate change is a major challenge for developing countries like India that face large climate variability and are exposed to enhanced risks from climate change. India is the country most vulnerable to climate change, said the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) deputy director general (Research) Neelu Gera. She was speaking at the inaugural session of the five-day training programme on climate change and carbon mitigation for scientists and technologists working in the government sector.
Addressing the gathering, Gera said that under the Paris Agreement, India agreed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level. India also committed to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. India’s contribution takes into account its commitment to conservation of nature, along with development challenges like poverty eradication, food security, universal access to education, health and energy. Gera also informed the scientists about Government of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change and its various missions. She urged all scientists across the sectors to join hands to ensure climate change mitigation and adaptation in various sectors of the country.
In the first technical session, the ICFRE ADG (Biodiveristy and Climate Change) VRS Rawat, gave an introduction to climate change and carbon mitigation while Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) principal scientist SK Bandyopadhyay highlighted the various government initiative on climate resilient agriculture.
Twenty three scientists from different government scientific organisations and universities of the country are participating in the training programme. The training programme is sponsored by Department of Science and Technology (DST).