Suman Bery advocated for the integration of climate risks into the TRUST framework during a recent conference. Launched by India and the U.S., TRUST promotes collaboration in technology and innovation, focusing on critical sectors. Climate adaptation is crucial for India’s upcoming National Adaptation Plan, with calls for increased climate finance to support vulnerable communities.
India and the U.S. should enhance the existing TRUST framework by incorporating climate risks and related technologies, as suggested by Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of Niti Aayog, during a recent conference. SIGNED by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) framework focuses on collaboration in critical technology sectors such as defence, AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology, energy, and space.
Mr. Bery emphasized the importance of including climate considerations in the TRUST framework, which has primarily focused on areas like AI and quantum computing. He highlighted that climate change poses non-traditional security challenges and called for collaboration between U.S. and India in addressing these issues as part of government initiatives. His remarks came during the “India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future” summit co-hosted by the Union Environment Ministry and Harvard University.
He pointed out that climate change impacts are unpredictable, exemplified by the potential for extreme heat to give way to flooding. To effectively adapt, India’s bureaucratic structure needs to become more flexible, empowering local District Collectors to respond to such challenges.
Looking ahead, India is preparing its inaugural National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which aims to tackle the dangers posed by climate extremes ahead of the 30th Conference of Parties climate meeting in Brazil this November. A National Stakeholders Workshop has already been conducted to gather inputs for this plan.
Adaptation strategies are essential for developing nations confronting climate change; however, global climate summits historically focused more on mitigation, or the cutting of greenhouse gas emissions. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for Environment, stressed during the conference the critical need for scaling up climate finance. Innovative financial mechanisms, including blended finance partnerships and risk-sharing frameworks, are needed to increase support for vulnerable communities and enhance adaptation measures effectively.
In summary, the call for integrating climate risks into the TRUST framework signifies a pivotal shift towards recognizing the importance of climate resilience in international collaboration between India and the U.S. As both nations prepare for ongoing climate challenges, the establishment of the National Adaptation Plan and emphasis on enhancing climate finance are essential steps towards ensuring a sustainable and adaptable future. Empowering local governance structures will further facilitate effective climate adaptation efforts.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
