Climate change is a major issue that has been making global headlines in recent years due to its potentially catastrophic impacts. Countries worldwide are stepping up efforts to combat this pressing issue by promoting clean energy and striving for ‘Net Zero’. A significant development in this regard is the partnership between India and the United States, which recently launched a programme titled ‘Technology-based Energy Solutions: Innovations for Net Zero’.
‘Innovations for Net Zero’ Programme
The ‘Innovations for Net Zero’ program was initiated by the United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), with the purpose of tackling climate and clean energy challenges. The program seeks ‘Ignition Grants’ for supporting science and technology-based entrepreneurial initiatives. These initiatives aim at the development and implementation of next-generation clean and renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon sequestration.
About USISTEF
The United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) was jointly established by the governments of the US (through the Department of State) and India (through the Department of Science & Technology). The fund aims to promote joint activities leading to innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of science and technology. Joint applied R&D is supported by the fund in an attempt to generate public good through sustained partnerships between U.S. and Indian researchers and entrepreneurs.
The Role of U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP)
The new program aligns with the goals of the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP). The SCEP came into being following the announcement of the US – India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate held earlier this year (2021). The administration of the program is undertaken by the bi-national Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), a bilateral organization under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and U.S. Department of State.
Recent Developments in US-India Relations
In recent times, there have been several developments in India-US relations such as the 25th edition of the Malabar Exercise involving the Navies of the Quad (Quadrilateral Framework) Nations, the signing of a Project Agreement to jointly develop an Air-launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV), and collaborations on developing an SUV-sized satellite called NISAR between NASA and ISRO.
Understanding Climate Change
Climate change is a long-term change in the patterns of the atmosphere due to natural processes or human activity. It greatly varies with averages or variability in temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud, and is distinguished from weather, which is more short-term and event-specific.
India’s Initiatives to Combat Climate Change
India has taken several measures to fight the mammoth task of climate change, including launching the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), introducing Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms, initiating the UJALA scheme, and executing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Moving Towards a Sustainable Future
To transition effectively to Net Zero, there is a pressing need to exponentially increase innovation and significantly invest in reducing green premiums on key clean technologies. Governments need to adopt concrete plans almost immediately, matching long-term goals with immediate actions. The Covid-19 pandemic recovery process presents an opportunity to re-engineer our future while revitalizing economies across the world.
