Bengaluru, DHNS: Reeling under a recurring water and energy crisis, can Karnataka learn from Europe’s innovative solutions to limit the impact of climate change? Engaged in a low-carbon transition to collectively take on the climate challenge, Europe is now ready for a partnership with the state to share its resources, experiences and knowledge.

The first step: a European Climate Action Day on September 21, jointly organised by the Bengaluru-based diplomatic missions of the UK, Germany, Switzerland and France besides the Fraunhofer Institute. Sectoral technology experts, researchers and decision makers will converge for the event to shed light on ‘Climate Control’ linked to both global and local scenarios.

The event is a follow-up of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change that aims at capping the rise of temperature below 2 degrees Celsius by the turn of this century. To reduce carbon emissions to 40% by 2030, European Union member-states had committed to providing assistance in finance, technology and capacity-building to developing countries. India has a target of generating 100 GW of solar energy before 2022 and sourcing 40% of its electricity mix from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

The process is two-way, German Consul General in Bengaluru, Margit Hellwig-Botte, explained.“Changing weather patterns and unexpected floods threaten Germany like any other country. Climate change is a global phenomenon and thus needs to be addressed by all of us in a joint effort.”

She articulated the German approach to mitigate the effects of climate change: minimise greenhouse gases, promote use of sustainable resources and increase energy efficiency. “We are looking forward to partnering with India’s highly skilled R&D experts to work together for a better future and to find innovative and comprehensive solutions to deal with the consequences of climate change.”

The UK, said the British Deputy High Commissioner Dominic McAllister, is already active in India in areas of energy access, energy storage, renewables and smart grids, climate finance and climate smart urban development. He elaborated, “The event in Bengaluru will help identify the challenges we face, local innovative solutions, and ways we can work together to tackle climate change.”

The French have been active in Bengaluru, working on collaborations such as the Indo-French Water Network, the International Solar Alliance, partnerships of Indian and French firms on water use and management. The consulate wants to take it further to the area of climate change.