Build an indigenous arsenal

Indigenous research and development (R&D) in India requires greater attention of the Government in the critical areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It calls for coordinated actions in mission mode with concomitant allocation of public resources — an area that leaves a lot to be desired at present. Even if we were to keep real innovations aside, in a scenario where a substantial share of our climate action is based on imported technologies and products, adaptive R&D is critical to ensure their optimal performance levels under local conditions, throughout their lifespan. Moreover, business-research, too, is an important part of taking a product to its ultimate consumer in a timely fashion.