Recognising the importance of environment statistics as an emerging area, the National Conference of the Central and the State Statistical Organisations (COSCSSO) has underlined the need for generating data on environmental indicators in accordance with the Framework for Development of Environment Statistics (FDES). It was a priority area that required focus to effectively deal with the challenge of climate change.

It was observed that the sheer large number of indicators under different areas of concern like air pollution, water quality, solid and waste water management, land use, deforestation and urbanisation, made it impossible to assess the state of environment at a particular point of time. It was decided that some key indicators be selected under each area that could be collectively used for the purpose.

Inaugurating the conference, chairman of the national statistical commission and economic adviser to the Prime Minister Suresh D. Tendulkar said climatic change had both positive and negative consequences for different countries in varying magnitudes and the challenge was to mitigate the negative fallout while exploiting the favourable impact for the best advantage of the community. Statistics of environment would act as critical input for policy making.

The central and state statistical organisations must gear up and respond by introducing appropriate organisational arrangements for what might be a difficult statistical work to be undertaken in accordance with a tight time schedule.

Union secretary, Ministry of Environment Statistics, Pronab Sen said there was a need to hold discussions among states to deal with the issue of environment on a common platform.