Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of Niti Aayog, advocates for the U.S.-India TRUST framework to include climate risks and technologies. He emphasized the need for flexibility and local empowerment to face climate challenges, while India prepares its first National Adaptation Plan before the upcoming climate conference. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted the importance of climate finance for supporting adaptation initiatives, suggesting innovative funding strategies are necessary for effective implementation.
Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of Niti Aayog, proposed that India and the United States should expand the TRUST framework to incorporate climate risks and related technologies. This suggestion was made during a conference, emphasizing the potential for collaboration on non-traditional security issues such as climate change. The TRUST framework, established during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. in February, encourages collaboration in critical and emerging technologies across various sectors, including defence, artificial intelligence, and energy.
Mr. Bery highlighted that while the TRUST initiative focuses on advanced technologies, it should also address climate change, which presents unpredictable challenges. For instance, areas experiencing extreme heat may suddenly face flooding. Such complexities necessitate adaptability, which the current structure of Indian bureaucracy may struggle to facilitate. He emphasized the need for empowerment of local officials like District Collectors to respond effectively to these challenges.
India is working towards its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP), aimed at addressing the pressures of climate extremes ahead of the upcoming 30th Conference of Parties in Brazil. The discussions held at the recent summit could play a role in shaping this plan, with a National Stakeholders Workshop already conducted.
Adaptation remains a crucial focus for developing countries facing climate change, contrasting with the traditional emphasis on mitigation efforts. Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for Environment, stressed the importance of climate finance to support adaptation initiatives. He underscored the necessity for innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and risk-sharing frameworks, to enhance funding for adaptation efforts.
In summary, the call to integrate climate risks into the TRUST framework highlights a significant direction for U.S.-India cooperation in addressing climate challenges. This proposed collaboration could enhance India’s preparedness for unpredictable climate extremes, driven by the empowerment of local governance. The emphasis on financial strategies for adaptation further underscores the need for robust investment in climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable communities, as India approaches its first National Adaptation Plan.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
