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Date: 23 January 2007
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Defra announces second phase of key Indian climate change adaptation project
The UK is to work with India to provide a detailed assessment of potential impacts of climate change in India and to undertake a pilot regional project to identify and develop adaptation strategies, Environment Secretary David Miliband announced today.
The project will look to improve climate change scenarios for India up to 2050 through different modelling scenarios. It will also assess the impact of climate change nationally on water resources, agriculture and forestry, exploring linkages between the sectors.
It follows the successful completion of a major assessment of the impacts of climate change on India, carried out by Defra and the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, covering water resources, agriculture, forests, industry, sea level and human health.
The results from this assessment found that India was likely to face significant adverse effects in a range of sectors, including agriculture, health, forestry and infrastructure. The study found that temperatures were likely to rise in the next few decades, leading to a reduction in wheat and rice yields.
Announcing the second phase of the research project at an inaugural workshop in Delhi on Tuesday (January 23), Environment Secretary David Miliband said he was pleased that the first phase of the project had been warmly welcomed across India.
"The UK has so far committed over £40 million to help build developing countries understanding of how climate change will affect them and to improve integration of climate risks within development plans. This project, comprising a total spend of £850K, includes £500K on research to be carried out by Indian research institutes.
"Understanding climate change and its consequences is critical to protect lives and assets upon which India's economy is dependent. Awareness of climate change and its impacts on people, the economy and livelihoods will be important to balance economic growth and development with a changing resource base," he added.
The regional project will concentrate on:
The regional project will use extensive stakeholder involvement to develop options for adaptation that are tailored to the particular circumstance.
Notes to editors
1. Mr Miliband was speaking at the India UK Partnership inaugural phase two workshop in Delhi. The workshop brought together researchers from the UK and across India to develop the approach for the project and consider options for the regional case study.
2. Results of the first phase of the project were announced at the EU-India Summit in Delhi in September 2005. Details are available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/internat/devcountry/india2.htm
3. The research in India will be undertaken by India research institutes after a competitive tender process. This will be managed on behalf of the UK by ERM (Environment Resource Management.
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Page published: 23 January 2007