Theme:

Energy Sustainability and Climate Goals

Professor:

Prof. A. B. Rao, Institute Chair Professor and Head, Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Date: 17 November 2022 (Thursday)

Time: 18:00-19:30 (UTC+8)

Summary:

In the lecture entitled “Energy Sustainability and Climate goals”, Professor A. B. Rao first stated that energy should help us sustain ourselves, however, some kinds of prevailing energy are not considered sustainable and cause climate problems. Based on this reality, Professor Rao put forward the concept of climate goals.

Following this, by showing relevant maps and charts, Professor Rao pointed out that a lot of people all over the world do not have access to enough energy, while those countries with abundant energy resources contribute the most to climate problems.

To tackle climate issues, Professor Rao introduced two ways: mitigation, which means to protect nature from society, and adaptation, which means to protect society from nature. In addition, he explained in detail the three approaches of mitigation: prevention, abatement, and geoengineering.

During the lecture, Professor Rao introduced the global agenda toward tackling climate issues: from millennium development goals to sustainable development goals (SDGs). Among the SDGs, Professor Rao detailed SDG-7 and SDG-13. He also mentioned the impact of COVID-19 on the abovementioned SDGs.

In addition, as an example of developing countries, Professor Rao introduced the role of India concerning climate issues worldwide. He stated that India is not a major contributor to climate change, but has the potential to be part of the solution. He also mentioned India’s strategies and targets.

At the end of the lecture, Professor Rao concluded that it is urgent to curb climate issues. Developing countries, having minimal responsibility towards these problems, have critical roles in solving them. He appealed that as human beings, we need to actively work together toward achieving climate goals.

(The summary is written by student assistant WU Xiaoke.)

*The views and opinions expressed in this lecture series are those of the guest lecturers. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the AUA or its members or its Secretariat.