National Research Conference on Climate Change

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) organized the National Research Conference on Climate Change at IITD on March 5 and 6, 2010.  

This conference covered major topics on scientific, technical, economic and policy aspects of climate change relevant to India. This conference was the first in a series of annual conferences on this kind, with the possibility of targeted satellite conferences that are aimed at exploring particular themes in the climate arena (such as energy, disaster mitigation and adaptation, water, agriculture, etc.).

The main goals of this and future related conferences are to enhance capacity for climate research and action in the country by:

• Identifying existing institutions and activities that are engaged in climate-related work in India.

• Developing a common understanding of key issues.

• Identifying lacunae in science, policy, and action that need particular attention.

• Deepening and broadening institutional engagement, especially engaging smaller academic institutions and NGOs in local climate-related activities across all parts of the country.

• Strengthening a sense of ‘community” among researchers.

• Initiating the development of an Indian Climate Research Network and an Indian Climate Action Network.

• Initiate a platform for a dialogue between researchers, NGOs, and policy-makers.