More research on alternative energy: Pachauri

With global focus on developing methods to mitigate climate change, Nobel Laureate and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change R K Pachauri on Thursday said that the Centre needs to invest more in the university system of the country on research regarding alternative energy technologies.

"Presently there is not enough research being carried out in the development of new technologies. The government needs to spend more on the university system in the country since more ideas and breakthroughs come from there," Pachauri told reporters on the sidelines of a talk organised by the Indian Advertising Association.

"Not enough is being done to spread awareness about climate change presently. Our institute will soon be starting a global campaign to increase awareness," Pachauri, who is also the director general of The Energy and Resources Institute, said.

Pachauri, who as chairman of the IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former American vice-president Al Gore, said it was important that the methods of mitigating climate change be introduced at the state level in the country.

Pointing out the visible effects of climate change, Pachauri said that the country's financial capital had suffered due to heavy rains in the last two years.

"The drainage system of the city as well as the public transport facilities need to be improved to prepare for such events," he said.

The Kyoto Protocol to the International Framework Convention on Climate Change, specifying greenhouse gas emissions across the world, is set to come to an end in 2012. Pachauri said he was hopeful that the US, which had not ratified it earlier, will do so for the next protocol.

"I foresee a change in the US posture and a full participation from them," he said.

Climate change could result in rises in sea level, droughts, heat waves, reduction in drinking water, food security being threatened, the spread of diseases and other things which could affect 500 million people, Pachauri said.

"However, the good news is that human society has the possibility to reduce the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and mitigation of its effects can be brought about," he said.

He also stressed on the importance of the advertising industry in shaping consumer behaviour and encouraging people to use environment friendly technologies. "I see a definite trend across the world in moving towards goods that use more carbon efficient technologies," he said.

Indian industries would also move towards environment friendly technologies in the future since they had global ambitions and he hoped to see major changes in their functioning in the future, Pachauri said.