Oct. 13: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Tuesday chaired the meeting of National Council on Climate Change. The meeting was held to discuss one of the eight missions underlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change — National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). India wants to develop indigenous skills, knowledge and capacities in the science of climate change.
The mission would define sustainability pathways and work towards building alliances and partnerships through global pathways.
The meeting was held to give a shape to the mission.
"In particular, the Prime Minister stressed that as we find ourselves having to engage with the global community on climate change, it was necessary to have the ability to prepare and read scientific data related to climate change," said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister also cautioned against compartmentalised thinking in various ministries concerned and suggested an integrated approach to capacity building.
The meeting was also attended by the finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, environment minister Jairam Ramesh, secretary, science and technology ministry and Teri director general Dr R.K. Pachauri.
Emphasis was given to building a "vibrant and dynamic knowledge system for effectively promoting ecologically sustainable development" with the NMSKCC working as a service mission of the National Action Plan on Climate Change," reads the statement. The mission services by the science and technology ministry will seek to build synergy with the environment ministry.
The framework could not be finalised at the meeting as some members emphasised that the mission would plan its strategies only after reaching out to the public. The council has already approved the National Solar Mission and Energy Efficient Missions out of the eight missions.
