Chandigarh December 7, 2024
For Detailed
Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Climate Compatible Growth (CCG), UK, to advance clean energy transitions and foster sustainable development in India. The MoU was signed during the North India Inception Workshop organised by the Department of Environmental Studies, Panjab University, in collaboration with the Climate Compatible Growth Network, UK, and the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh.
The workshop, which brought together experts, policymakers, and key stakeholders, focused on creating a roadmap for sustainable development in Northern India. The MoU marks a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration on climate change, sustainable development, and green growth. CCG is a UK Aid-funded project aimed at supporting investments in sustainable energy and transport systems to meet development priorities in the Global South. The initiative brings together leading UK universities, including UCL, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, and the Open University, along with the Centre for Global Equality, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Climate Parliament.
Through this MoU, Panjab University and CCG aim to strengthen collaborative research, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote capacity-building efforts in India. This partnership will also enable joint research initiatives and the development of innovative solutions for addressing climate-related challenges.
Prof. Suman Mor and Prof. Ramanjit Johal from Panjab University will serve as co-coordinators of the India CCG Network, Chandigarh. Prof. Mor remarked that the workshop has set the stage for concrete actions, including enhanced collaboration between UK and Indian institutions, developing region-specific strategies for climate-compatible growth, and fostering a network of experts and institutions working toward sustainable development in India. Prof. Johal added that the workshop has successfully brought together a diverse range of stakeholders to address the critical challenges of climate-compatible growth in India, laying a strong foundation for future collaboration and action to support sustainable development.
The final day of the workshop focused on the theme of ‘Climate Smart Cities’, chaired by Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health at PGIMER Chandigarh. The session featured experts from various fields offering diverse perspectives on urban sustainability and climate resilience.
Prof. Khaiwal emphasized the need for adopting carbon-neutral strategies to reduce urban emissions. He stressed that India must accelerate its transition to clean energy and strengthen its climate resilience. He highlighted the significance of international collaboration, particularly between India and the UK, highlighting synergies between initiatives like the UK Global Clean Power Alliance and India’s International Solar Alliance, as well as the ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’ and green hydrogen, which have the potential to drive sustainable progress.
Mr. Pamaljeet Singh, Architect and Design Consultant at Tubb Design Lab, showcased innovative approaches in sustainable construction using climate-friendly and locally sourced materials, demonstrating how buildings can be made more climate-resilient while maintaining functionality and aesthetics. Mr. Angad Gadgil, Managing Partner at GAIA, presented insights into the Citywide Transport Energy Infrastructure Deployment Toolkit, offering strategies to improve urban mobility and energy efficiency. He shared innovative solutions to transform urban transportation systems with a focus on reducing environmental impacts. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Policy Adviser at Climate Parliament, introduced the concept of Green Zones as a tool to mobilize climate investments, emphasizing the importance of policy frameworks in driving sustainable urban development.
The final technical session of the workshop featured presentations from the three thematic groups formed during Day 1’s breakout sessions. These groups focused on Green Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Smart Cities and shared their analyses, recommendations, and actionable insights on the current status, challenges, and future opportunities in their respective areas of focus.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to continued collaboration between Indian and UK institutions, aimed at advancing climate-compatible growth and sustainable development in India.
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