Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) In a major move to tackle the escalating challenges of climate change, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, through video conferencing, inaugurated the ‘Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling’ (CoE-HRSC) at IIM Nagpur on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister announced that this centre will eventually operate as a permanent wing of the State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM).

Addressing the gathering, CM Fadnavis highlighted that the agricultural sector, particularly small-scale farmers, bears the maximum brunt of climate change. “In recent times, heatwaves have forced the closure of schools and colleges across Vidarbha and other parts of the state. Problems like drought, hailstorms, and rising temperatures are becoming severe. This Centre of Excellence will be instrumental in finding solutions to these crises,” the CM stated.

The newly established centre will initially focus on evaluating and refining Heat Action Plans (HAP) and Urban Climate Action Plans, providing implementation support to high-priority cities and districts, developing training modules for government officials, healthcare workers, and local citizens and prioritising eco-friendly construction materials and local cooling solutions to reduce dependency on energy-heavy air conditioning, said the CM.

The Chief Minister also emphasised Maharashtra’s journey towards energy self-sufficiency. The state aims to draw 52% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, increasing to 65% by 2035. Furthermore, efforts are underway to provide 16,000 MW of solar power specifically for farmers.

Manish Bapna, President of National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), remarked that the establishment of this centre in Nagpur is a landmark event not just for India, but globally. “While science and policy are evolving, we cannot achieve progress without robust institutions to implement them. This centre will contribute uniquely to the global fight against extreme heat,” he said.

The centre is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIM Nagpur and the US-based international non-profit NRDC. While it will initially operate from the IIM Nagpur campus, it will later transition to the upcoming State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) in MIHAN, Nagpur, said the government release.

The state government has already sanctioned Rs 184 crore for the SIDM facility. The institute will house eight specialised centres of excellence, with the Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling wing receiving technical expertise from NRDC New York, added the release.

With Nagpur and the Vidarbha region frequently recording temperatures exceeding 45 degree C, the heat significantly impacts public health, labour productivity, water levels, and power consumption. The CoE-HRSC aims to research affordable cooling technologies and urban design improvements to ensure that “cooling” does not come at the cost of further environmental degradation, stated the release.

–IANS

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