2023-09-23-未来能源研究所-促进印度跨学科太阳能地球工程研究的战略_32页_660kb

Summary of "Strategy for Promoting Interdisciplinary Solar Geoengineering Research in India"

Core Content

This document presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of solar geoengineering (SG) research in India, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research that integrates natural and social sciences. It outlines a strategy to promote such research, including the development of a national policy, institutional arrangements, and international collaborations. The authors highlight the growing interest in SG as a potential climate intervention tool, especially in light of the inadequacy of global mitigation efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Climate Context and SG Relevance

• The 2021 IPCC report indicates that climate change is accelerating and has severe global and regional impacts.
• India, with its large population and high vulnerability to climate change, is particularly affected by extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
• The IPCC Working Group II (2022) report suggests that SG could mitigate some climate impacts but also notes significant uncertainties and risks.
• SG is considered a potential supplement to mitigation and adaptation strategies, but it raises ethical, legal, and governance concerns.

2. Current State of SG Research in India

• Research on SG in India is minimal, with very limited social science contributions.
• Most research focuses on natural science, particularly climate modeling, with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) being the primary funder.
• There are about 20 natural science papers and 6 social science papers published since 2015, but few address both scientific and social dimensions.

3. Expert Opinions and Survey Results

• A majority of experts (73%) believe that general SG research is very limited in India.
• Social science research is even more limited, with 60% of respondents indicating no research of consequence is happening.
• Barriers include lack of awareness, funding, and multi-institutional collaboration.

4. Need for a National Policy

• 50% of experts believe a national policy is needed for both SG research and pilot projects.
• 37% support a policy focused only on research.
• No specific components of the policy were discussed in detail, as it is outside the scope of this report.

5. Strategy to Enhance SG Research

• A majority (65%) of respondents support integrated research involving both natural and social science.
• A third of experts suggest a nationally coordinated program.
• The DST is seen as the main funding agency, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• International collaborations are strongly encouraged, with 70% of respondents supporting such efforts.

6. Monitoring and Regulation

• About half of the experts support dedicated monitoring for SG research.
• A multidepartmental committee is recommended for oversight, with DST as the preferred department.
• Public disclosure and transparency are emphasized, with a call for a dedicated website to share findings.

7. Stakeholder Consultation

• There is strong support for stakeholder consultation, especially for pilot projects.
• Public consultations are seen as essential for informed decision-making and societal engagement.

8. Priority Research Areas

9. Implications for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation

• SG research is seen as having the potential to reduce climate damages if deployed appropriately.
• However, it also involves significant uncertainties and risks, including termination shock and transboundary effects.
• There is a consensus that SG research should not be used as an excuse for inaction on climate mitigation.
• SG could complement existing mitigation and adaptation efforts, but its implementation requires careful governance and public engagement.

Conclusion

The document concludes that while SG research in India is currently limited, especially in the social science domain, there is strong support for promoting interdisciplinary research to better understand the risks, benefits, and implications of SG. A national policy framework, transparent governance, and international collaboration are essential to guide the development and deployment of SG technologies in a responsible and informed manner. The report serves as a foundational step towards building a robust research ecosystem in India for solar geoengineering.