NEW DELHI: The South Asian sub-continent faces the worst brunt of climate change in years to come, scientists of the UN's Inter-governmental panel on climate change have warned. The sub-continent faces a challenge that it can only surmount acting in cohesion.

While the countries in the region - Afghanistan,Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and India sketch their economic destinies and alleviate the endemic poverty in the subcontinent it now has to face the challenge of climate change.

Across the SAARC region people have begun to find creative solutions, to adapt and change. From the corporate world to community workers and NGOs, the region is witnessing a wave of efforts that needs to be recognized so that those attempts inspire others. There are efforts that need to be replicated or multiplied and brought to scale to benefit a larger set of similarly affected people. The people of SAARC nations have common histories and they can have a secure future if these innovations and activities are shared and promoted.

Earth Care awards 2012 attempts to do so by awarding attempts to combat climate change across the SAARC countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.

The fourth year running, the awards, a leadership initiative of The Times of India and the JSW will recognize excellence of efforts made to reduce emissions and adapt to inevitable climate change - but this time from all the SAARC countries and not just India. The 4th edition of Earth Care Awards is now accepting applications for three categories - GHG Emission Reduction in Industries, Innovation for Climate Protection and Community led action on Mitigation & Adaptation from SAARC countries. Over the years, the most encouraging aspect of the awards has been the response from diverse sector of industries, NGOs, community based organizations and government institutes. They have been showcasing their significant work on avoiding emission reduction and improving adaptation towards climate change, under various awards categories. We hope this year to provide a similar platform, celebrate and share efforts from the eight countries.

In this effort, the Center for Environment Education ( CEE) & Technology, Education, Research and Rehabilitation for the Environment ( TERRE) provide the technical backbone as Knowledge Partners and The Outreach Partner for the awards.

The jury comprises M.S Swaminathan, chairman, M S Swami Nathan Research Foundation; WD Dar, director general, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics; Kartikeya Sarabhai, director, Centre for Environment Education; A S Manekar, director, Nehru Science Centre, National Council of Science Museums; Aneeta Benninger, executive director, Centre for Development Studies and Activities; Pradip P Shah, chairman, Indasia Fund Advisors Private Limited; Shailaja Chandra, IAS (retd); Rajendra Shende, former director, UNEP; Rajat Gupta, Mckinsey & Company.