An expert panel, representing the field of climate change and environment, visited Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore campus, on November 9, 2017, as part of knowledge dissemination sessions of the 9th INSEE Biennial Conference. The distinguished panel members from IPCC were: Dr. E. Somanathan, Professor, Economic and Planning Unit, Indian Statistical Institute; Dr. Purnamita Dasgupta, Chair in Environmental Economics and Head, Environmental and Resource Economics Unit, University of Delhi and Dr. Govindasamy Bala, Professor, Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science. The panel members were given a hearty welcome by Dr. Amalendu Jyotishi, Professor, Amrita School of Business, Bengaluru campus.
The panel members discussed the key findings from the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR-5). The panel session was moderated by Dr. Deepak Gupta, Professor, Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore. Dr. E. Somanathan commenced the session with an overview of the history, process, structure and work of IPCC and briefed the audience on the impact made by experts and academicians who contribute to our enhanced knowledge of environment and climate change impacts and the various adaptation and mitigation options. Further, he explained the role of IPCC and in particular AR-5 in enhancing integrated responses linking mitigation and adaptation with other societal objectives.
Dr. Bala Govindasamy discussed the human influence on the climate system and in specific, the heightened stress on the environment due to anthropogenic emissions. Dr. Bala gave an in-depth view on the impact of climate changes such as extreme weather that have had widespread impacts on human and natural systems. He further highlighted the vulnerability of human and natural systems and stressed the need to focus on adaptation and mitigation measures at all local, regional and global levels.
The third session by Dr. Purnamita Dasgupta focussed attention on the severe, pervasive and often irreversible changes caused by the greenhouse emissions and the need for adequate adaptation and mitigation measures. According to various studies, the climate change impacts will potentially amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and human especially for the disadvantaged section of communities. Further, she stressed on the need for cohesive adaptation and mitigation strategy in light of the scale of economic impacts and challenges that need to be overcome.
Finally, Dr. Somanathan delved on the effective policy implications across multiple levels, spanning international, regional, national and sub-national levels. He concluded by stressing the need for an integrated approach to policy across levels supporting technology development, diffusion and transfer, as well as finance.
The knowledge dissemination session was followed by an equally invigorating and thought provoking question and answer discussion by faculty members and PhD scholars of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
