PM' council on climate change constituted

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today constituted a high-level panel consisting of cabinet secretary and secretaries from various ministries and departments to assist the Prime Minister's council on climate change.

Chaired by the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, the Executive Committee on climate change will assist the PM's council on climate change in evolving a coordinated response to issues relating to climate change at the national level.

The panel will regularly monitor the implementation of eight national missions and other initiatives on climate change and advise the PM's council on modifications in the objectives, strategies and structure of the missions, as may be necessary.

It would also co-ordinate with various agencies on issues relating to climate change.

Secretary, ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), will be the member-convenor.

Other members of the committee include secretaries from the ministries of finance, power, new and renewable energy, urban development, water resources, coal, petroleum and natural gas and planning commission.

Secretaries from various departments like science and technology, agriculture and co-operation, agricultural research and education, earth sciences and economic affairs are also among the members.

According to a PMO release, the chairman of Executive Committee on climate change may invite any other officer/ expert to the meetings as may be necessary.

The PM's council on climate change and the Executive Committee on climate change would be helped by the MoEF.

The Prime Minister's Council on climate change was constituted in 2007, in order to co-ordinate National Action for Assessment, Adaptation and Mitigation of climate change.

The National Action Plan of Climate Change (NAPCC) was released by the Prime Minister in June, 2008. Under the NAPCC, eight national missions are being implemented with the approval of PM's council on climate change.