National Experts Unite at IIT Delhi to Advance AI in Climate Science

In a notable advancement for India's climate forecasting abilities, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) held a two-day Climate Change Conclave at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, on May 27-28, 2024. The event centered on incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into climate modeling, with a focus on addressing India's distinct environmental challenges.

At the conclave, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, emphasized the critical advancements under the department's National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). "These missions have been pivotal in supporting 19 Centers of Excellence and 37 significant R&D programs, which are instrumental in our fight against climate change", Prof. Karandikar said. He also revealed the draft executive summary of the ‘District Level Climate Risk Assessment for India,’ emphasizing the significance of localized climate models in creating effective adaptation strategies.

Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Advisor at DST, emphasized the progress of DST’s Climate Change Programme and its alignment with the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC). He highlighted the program's role in nurturing and guiding climate change science and adaptation research and development initiatives across the country.

Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Technology at DST, emphasized the critical need to tackle climate impacts. She noted that with 40% of the world's population already experiencing significant climate risks, it is imperative to expedite the implementation of innovative climate solutions.

The conclave highlighted the promise of next-generation technologies such as coal-to-methanol conversion, blue hydrogen production, and carbon capture and storage. These advancements, presented by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, are leading India's initiatives to reduce environmental impacts.

The meeting brought together experts from renowned institutions such as IIT Bhubaneswar, Banaras Hindu University, and the University of Delhi, underscoring the necessity of a collaborative approach to effectively addressing the complex issue of climate change.