PM's Council on climate change to meet on Tuesday

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change will hold a meeting tomorrow under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss ways to formulate National Mission on Strategic Knowledge of Climate Change.

The mission which is one of the eight missions of National Action Plan on Climate Change unveiled last year calls for the establishment of a Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modelling capacities, and increased international collaboration.

The Council members are expected to discuss measures to encourage private sector initiatives to develop both mitigation and adaptation technologies through venture capital funds.

The Council has already approved the National Solar Mission and Energy Efficient Missions out of the eight missions under the national action plan on climate change.

While Solar mission sets a goal of making the country dependence on renewable energy, the national mission on enhanced energy efficiency enable about Rs. 75,000 crore worth transactions in energy efficiency. In doing so, it will, by 2015, help save about five per cent of our annual energy consumption.

Other missions target water efficiency, sustainable habitat, sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, afforestation and agriculture.