Bangkok--31 Aug--Asian Institute of Technology
Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) was among the three select scientists who presented the findings of Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at the IPCC Conference organized at the India Habitat Center, Delhi on 6 August 2014.
The Conference titled “IPCC AR5: What it means for a stronger, more inclusive India,” was focussed on the impact of climate change in India, where Dr. Shobhakar presented the report of IPCC’s Working Group III (Mitigation).
Billed as a lead event for dissemination of the IPCC Assessment Report, the Conference wintessed participation from the IPPC Chairman, Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri, and two Indian federal ministers -- Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and Mr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology.
Dr. Shobhakar’s presentation was focused on delivering the overall findings of the IPCC Working Group III and the key emission trends and opportunities for low-carbon development, where he stated that India has emerged as a key driver of emissions. “Emission trends in India are growing in line with economic growth, but per capita emissions are still low,” he remarked. He opined four opportunities for low carbon development in India including development of low-carbon economic strategies, de-carbonization of energy supply system, introduction of low-carbon best practices and energy efficiency, and greening of cities.
Dr. Shobhakar, who is a coordinating lead author of the section on “Human Settlements, Infrastructure and Spatial Planning” in the IPCC report, stated that about half of the cumulative anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions between 1750-2010 have occurred during the last 40 years. Stressing on the need for mitigation, Dr. Shobhakar allayed fears that the cost of mitigation could result in a decrease in GDP growth rate.
Dr. Rana Kapoor, President, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM); Mr. Sam Bickersteth, CEO, Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN); and Mr. Dipankar Sandyal, Director, TERI Business Council for Sustainable Development were the other dignitaries who participated in the event. Besides, Dr. Dhakal, two other scientists, Dr. Krishna K Kanikicharla, and Dr. Purnamita Dasgupta presented the IPCC findings. The three scientists also addressed 150 young scientists at TERI.
Photo caption: Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal