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Copenhagen Consensus Center

Sector Expert Consultation on Environment and Climate Change

On 4th Nov 2017, the sector expert consultation on Environment & Climate Change was held at Hotel Green Park, Visakhapatnam. A total of 29 experts participated in the consultation.

 

The consultation included experts from Government agencies like Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), Cyclone Warning Centre, Indian Metrological Department Visakhapatnam, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTRANSCO), professors from  Andhra University, NGO’s working in Environment & Climate Change Sector like  LAYA, NATURE, Dhimsa Foundation, Dhan Foundation etc. and some independent Environment activists in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Key participants included Prof. VSRK Prasad, Director, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, K. Maneesha, Scientist, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Sri. T.Vidya Sagar, AP Pollution Control Board, Sri. Ramachandra Rao from Cyclone Warning Centre, Indian Metrological Department Visakhapatnam, Sri. Rao from APTRANSCO etc. 

All experts contributed to a meaningful discussion on the solutions to address challenges for the environment and climate change. A total of 55 interventions were listed which can be found below.

  1. Expand renewable energy and energy conservation
  2. Introduce targets in the SAPCC – State Action Plan on Climate Change
  3. Address wetlands – conservation and revival of fresh water lakes, ecological restoration of forest lands and green cover.
  4. Research on crop diversity and crop rotations to ensure soil fertility and reduction of chemical fertilizers
  5. Organic farming, genetic engineering, biodiversity, desalinization with nanotechnology should be promoted.
  6. Inculcate environmental education at primary school level
  7. Zoning of residential and industrial areas with natural parks and gardens
  8. Use satellite and remote sensing data to control risk of disasters
  9. Increase forest cover
  10. Climatic and socio-economic vulnerability studies in industrial hubs prone to floods, erosions and scarcity of water and electricity. 
  11. Build environment awareness in schools and colleges
  12. VUDA master plan should detail natural bodies  and their preservation, protection along with the layout of roads and physical infrastructure of cities
  13. Protection of indigenous seeds and seed banks 
  14. Conservation of water bodies in urban, semi urban and rural areas
  15. Ground water depletion and quality needs to be prioritized
  16. Climate change education for different target groups in formal sector, community level panchayats and government officials
  17. Ensure and implement Zero liquid discharge in industrial manufacturing
  18. Municipal solid waste management with 13000 tons in only urban areas can be used effectively to safeguard the environment
  19. Address apathy in people and inculcate environmental awareness and conservation and participation
  20. Research and understanding on practices of tribal belts which lead to environmental degradation and removal of forest cover to understand the challenges that exist
  21. Construction of sub-surface dam to control sea water inclusion in water bodies along coastline
  22. Develop climate change initiatives through a sustainable development lens
  23. Air pollution monitoring and regulation
  24. R&D on vehicles to produce low pollution emitting vehicles
  25. Climatic vulnerability studies in major river basins of the State 
  26. Norms for pollution control should be displayed for public consumption and easy access
  27. Research on climate change with identification of danger zones in coastline areas, erosion and silt deposit areas and identify models for management
  28. Industrial effluent discharge management with specific details for common knowledge especially for Vishakhapatnam
  29. Expand irrigation network
  30. Control extensive mining of river sands and river belts
  31. Reclamation of unproductive land
  32. Control energy consumption and pollution levels in urban areas
  33. Demonstration projects at ULB and major Gram Panchayat levels 
  34. Capacity building of government officials
  35. Flood management for river cities and cyclone management for coastal cities
  36. Climatic baseline studies in ULBs and municipal corporation. 
  37. Pollution control monitoring and regulation
  38. Develop public transport system to enable people to commute efficiently thereby minimizing vehicle usage and therefore pollution levels
  39. Integrate comprehensive management of the expert pool of advice and knowledge.
  40. Environment committee at school/panchayat level
  41. Linkages with traditional gram panchayat structures for educating tribals about sustainable agricultural practices
  42. Promote clean cook-stoves like induction cook tops powered through solar
  43. Setting up of Climate Change knowledge center at EPTRI/Andhra University 
  44. Mandal level and panchayat level climate change communication centre should be established
  45. Involve more architects than civil engineers in creating cities
  46. Disband petro corridor along East coast which will have severe negative impact on the environment
  47. Soil based and water based management
  48. Build flood shelters, coastal buffer zones and sea walls
  49. Ban all industry in coastlines especially the rocky coastlines which support a rich habitat of species
  50. Urban agriculture to make cities resilient
  51. New set of programs and policies in design and operation 
  52. Pilot case studies for researching push factors in rural areas
  53. Bio mining and bio remediation
  54. Acquamation instead of cremation to control pollution generated through burning
  55. Piped gas connection to every household

List of Participants