TERI at forefront of addressing pressing environmental challenges of our time: Dr Pramod Sawant
Panaji, July 02, 2024: The Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) 50th year celebrations on Tuesday focused on the theme ‘Pioneering Sustainable Solutions: Goa's Path to 2030 SDGs,’ reflecting the urgency of today’s environmental and climate challenges. The event successfully brought together a diverse array of stakeholders from various sectors to delve into their experiences, integrate new insights, and foster decision-making for a sustainable and equitable future for Goa.
The day-long event focused on charting Goa's path to 2030 SDGs amidst environmental challenges; MoU signed between TERI and GCCI for advancing sustainable development in Goa
The outcomes of this landmark event are set to chart a roadmap for partnerships, collaborations, and actionable solutions aimed at building a resilient and sustainable Goa.
The day kicked off with the pre-inaugural Leadership Panel titled ‘The Role of Institutions in Supporting Goa’s Drive to Achieving 2030 SDGs,’ featuring an address by Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI.
Key leaders from various institutions gathered to discuss governance challenges and environmental issues specific to Goa. The panel focused on actionable measures such as integrating green infrastructure and renewable energy solutions, strategies for effective water resource management and ecosystem restoration, promoting inter-departmental collaboration, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and enhancing public awareness and education on environmental issues. These discussions set a proactive tone for collaborative efforts towards achieving Goa's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
TERI’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Goa officially began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, delivered the opening remarks, stating, “It is important that we think globally, act locally and more so also at the regional levels. That is how we at TERI, decided to have centers in different places including Goa. The idea of having these centres, which are not very big in terms of size or the number of professionals, is that they will look into the problems that the region is facing, and work on it with the entire expertise that is available.
“If I want to describe TERI in two words, it is Sustainable Development, and TERI’s Goa centre has done exemplary work in this area,” she said.
In his keynote address, Dr Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, affirmed, “TERI is an institute which has been at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”
Drawing focus on the work done by the Goa government in waste management, Dr Sawant said, “Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has proposed to set up a plant in the industrial estate to tackle e-waste. Kundaim has an up and running plant to tackle bio-waste. And there are plans to set up a plant to tackle construction and demolition debris. Hence, our focus is on generating wealth from waste!”
The event included an inspiring address by Shri Aleixo Sequeira, Hon'ble Minister of Environment, Goa, who emphasized, “We decided to have a Goa State Action Plan for Climate Change 2023-2033 and we are in the final stages of releasing the draft plan of Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
“There is also an energy road map for Goa, which is already in place in line with national and global targets. The execution, however, is a challenge. The state governments cannot achieve it all alone. We need everyone to come along,” he said.
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Former Union Minister and Chancellor of Rishihood University, also contributed to the discussions on both global and local sustainability challenges.
MoU signed between TERI and GCCI
A key moment was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TERI and Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), aimed at enhancing collaborative efforts for sustainable development in Goa.
Shri Shrinivas Dempo, President of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) congratulated TERI for its ground-breaking work and highlighted its role in promoting sustainable practices in the state.
“As a president of the Chamber of Commerce, I congratulate TERI for all the excellent work it has done, particularly for the state of Goa in various sustainability practices,” Dempo said.
“Our team has been inclusively working on sustainable development of Goa with the road map of 2047. I feel that as an industry, we should collaborate more with institutions like TERI to build a sustainable roadmap for achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
“We need to get into specific programs as to how we can achieve it and I'm very glad that we have signed an MoU with TERI and the Goa Chamber of Commerce, to exactly look at these programs,” he added.
Speaking on the TERI-GCCI collaboration, Mr Sawant said, “TERI has equipped the policymakers, businesses and communities with the tools they need to make informed decisions today. The MoU signing with the GCCI today is testament to that. I hope the industries can utilize this partnership to achieve the sustainable development goal and other key subjects.”
The first session focused on ‘Safeguarding Goa's unique marine and coastal ecosystems,’ addressed challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable fishing practices. Discussions included enhancing community engagement, conserving ecosystem health, and tackling marine litter.
Emphasis was placed on how private sector companies can collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to bolster marine conservation efforts and ensure the long-term health and resilience of Goa's environmental landscape.
The second session, ‘Sustainable Water and Waste Solutions: Alleviating the Stress on Goa’s Resources,’ chaired by Shri Umakant, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, Goa, focused on the critical need for sustainable water and waste management practices to alleviate the stress on Goa’s resources. Despite not being a water-stressed state, Goa faces challenges due to the unsustainable use of water by the tourism and real estate industries and illegal water extraction, leading to widespread depletion of water resources.
Additionally, improper waste management and disposal have created significant environmental and health challenges. Shri Pramod Badami, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, Goa emphasized on saving groundwater resources as they are getting rapidly depleted. “We need to save 20% of water from the total water available, so that we become sufficient by the year 2047. So how is the water used? Where are the shortfalls in uses of water, and what are the mistakes the farmers are committing? I would like TERI to do small research, so that it could be taken forward in order to achieve our goal by 2047.”
Shri Badami also mentioned the work done in Goa to save water resources. “Storage infrastructure in the state includes Tilari dam and Salaulim dam. Only Mandovi and Zuari provide most of the drinking water for Goa. Saving groundwater is crucial to ensure water sufficiency in Goa,” he said.
The session also explored innovative approaches to promote efficient water use and enhance Goa's waste segregation and recycling systems to better manage the growing volume of waste and reduce dependence on landfills. The deliberations aimed to develop actionable strategies to secure water resources and safeguard public health and the environment for future generations.
The final session of the day, titled ‘Climate Action through Carbon Finance & NDCs,’ was chaired by Dr Jitendra Vir Sharma, Senior Director, Land Resources, TERI. It highlighted Goa's vulnerability to climate change, especially its coastline, coastal cities, and tourism sector, facing risks from rising sea levels. Discussions underscored the potential of carbon finance mechanisms to secure vital funding for mitigating and adapting to these challenges, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
Shri Umakant, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, Goa, emphasized, “Whatever talk that has been done at the international level, as far as finance is concerned, technical know-how to transfer to the developing world is concerned, we are in a pathetic state. We don't have any alternative left than to work on nature-based solutions.
“However, the state of Goa has got the investors, we have got the capacity to go for the mangrove, we have the capacity and opportunity to maintain that green cover. We are on the cusp of rising to a new level.”
The session also reviewed Goa’s comprehensive climate change plans, analyzing sector-specific vulnerabilities and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Moreover, participants explored available financial resources to support these initiatives, outlining pathways to strengthen Goa's climate resilience and promote sustainable development. This session underscored the collaborative efforts required to effectively address climate challenges and secure a sustainable future for Goa.
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, highlighted the 50th year celebrations in Goa as a pivotal moment in their dedication to sustainable solutions amid pressing environmental and climate challenges. The event spurred diverse discussions and collaborations, setting a strong foundation for partnerships to build a resilient and sustainable Goa. It emphasizes urgency in addressing environmental issues and advancing towards Goa's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, shaping a more equitable future.