The Department of Science and Technology is to release a National Level Climate Vulnerability report. The title of the report is “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India using a Common Framework”.
About the report
-
The report was generated based on a joint exercise by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Department of Science and Technology.
-
The report identifies the most vulnerable states and districts to climate change.
-
Around 24 states and two Union territories participated in the nation-wide exercise.
Importance of Common Framework used in the report
Several climate vulnerability assessments for different states and districts already exists. However, these assessments cannot be compared with each other as the framework used for the assessment is different. This limits the decision-making capabilities at administrative and policy levels. Thus, a Common vulnerability Framework was created.
The Common Framework for Vulnerability Assessment was created based on the fifth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This framework was developed by IISc Bangalore, IIT Guwahati and IIT Mandi. The framework was applied to the Indian Himalayan regions involving twelve states. It was highly successful. Thus, the framework was rolled out based on the framework for the entire country.
Significance
This vulnerability is highly important, especially in developing countries like India. It will help to develop suitable adaptation projects and programmes.
The report will help policy makers to initiate appropriate climate actions.
Mission of DST
The DST is implementing two main national missions. They are National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change and National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem.