The Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Department of Science and Technology organized the International Climate Research Conclave (ICRC) 2023 at IIT Bombay to discuss India’s recent progress in climate research and its vision for 2030. The event was held at the DST’s Centre of Excellence in Climate Studies and paved the way forward for coordinating national efforts toward understanding and addressing climate change.

The Honourable Secretary to the MoES, Dr. M Ravichandran; Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, the Honourable Secretary to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST); and Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), inaugurated the ICRC 2023.

The key objective of the conclave was to launch “India’s Climate Research Agenda: 2030 and Beyond” and discuss the nine themes of the report including:

• Monsoon
• Climate Modelling
• Aerosols
• Hydrology and Cryosphere
• Ocean Science
• Urban Climate
• Carbon Cycle
• Extreme Events
• Climate Services

Over 250 participants from different parts of the country attended the conclave.

In his address, Dr. Chandrasekhar said that the damage caused by climate change has already taken its toll, and our response has been delayed. He also emphasised that addressing climate change is not the responsibility of climate scientists alone. “By acknowledging the collective responsibility and adopting sustainable practices across various sectors, we can make meaningful progress in mitigating climate change and preserving a healthy planet for future generations. It is a call to action for everyone to play their part in creating a more sustainable and resilient world,” he added.