Shillong, Feb 20: Leading experts, policymakers, and researchers from India and the UK are brainstorming on how artificial intelligence can help tackle pressing climate challenges in Meghalaya and shape effective policy frameworks for sustainable environmental management.
The policymakers met under the aegis of The UK-India Knowledge Exchange Workshop on AI-Based Climate Modelling Centre and Policy Making, organized by the British High Commission in collaboration with IIM Shillong and the Government of Meghalaya, at IIM Shillong on Feb 18-19.
British Deputy High Commissioner to East & Northeast India, Andrew Fleming, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This UK-India Knowledge Exchange marks a significant step in strengthening Meghalaya’s climate action. By combining UK expertise in climate science with India’s deep regional knowledge, we can co-develop innovative solutions to protect communities and drive a net-zero future.” He highlighted that the initiative sets a strong precedent for future partnerships in climate innovations and sustainability.
The workshop featured participation from leading institutions such as the UK Met Office, University College London, University of Leeds, and the University of Oxford, reinforcing a shared commitment to leveraging AI-driven solutions for climate adaptation.
Prof. D P Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, underscored the role of AI in enhancing climate modeling with precise data and simulations, supporting sustainable initiatives such as water conservation, energy distribution, and resource optimization. Prof. Teidor Lyngdoh, Chair of External Relations at IIM Shillong, welcomed the dignitaries and stressed the need to translate discussions into tangible outcomes, reinforcing the urgency of achieving measurable climate action.
Joshua Bamford, Head of the Tech and Innovation Team at the British High Commission in India, elaborated on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which includes the establishment of a UK-India Joint Centre for AI. This center will focus on multiple sectors, including climate sustainability, finance, cybersecurity, and healthcare, marking a crucial step in advancing the climate pillar of the initiative.
Dr. Albert Chiang, Officer on Special Duty at the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, highlighted the fragility of Meghalaya’s ecosystem, citing erratic rainfall and watershed degradation as pressing concerns. He emphasized that AI-driven localized data analysis would be instrumental in crafting an actionable climate roadmap, with collaboration from local communities playing a key role in the initiative’s success.
Ms. Haimanti Poddar, Senior Climate and Energy Adviser at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO), Kolkata, expressed gratitude for the growing collaboration, recalling how the initiative began as a preliminary exchange of ideas in July 2024 and has since evolved into a high-impact platform involving key global stakeholders.
The workshop included in-depth technical sessions on climate issues in Northeast India, UK best practices in AI-driven climate modeling, and Indian innovations in climate research. Experts from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India), the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, CUSAT, the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, NLU Meghalaya, and the Meghalaya Technology Park Society shared insights on climate resilience strategies.
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