The 1st day of the second Science 20 meeting held today at Hapania International indoor fair ground in Agartala concluded today with discussion on the theme “clean energy for a Greener Future.” Around 70 national and international delegates have gathered in Agartala for the Science20 conference. The conference is taking forward the discussions from the Science20 inception meeting that happened in Puducherry. The Meeting focused on developing ‘Clean Energy for a Greener Future.’ Meeting aimed to establish a framework that would promote innovative research in environmentally responsible technology.
In his opening remark Ajai Sood Principal Scientific Advisor said that disruptive science for sustainable development how various aspect of destructive science in the domain of clean energy can interact with the ever changing energy space. He also added that “there are three sub-themes of the Second Science meet in Agartala, the first is Green Hydrogen- which is also catching up attention of all the countries, Second theme is how Ocean based technologies can help us to harness vast amount of clean energy by utilization of wave motion, tidal currents or thermal gradient found in the bodies of water, third is new generation energy storage.”
While speaking with the media later Professor Ajai Sood Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India said that On 4th January Green Hydrogen mission was launched by Government of India which shows the seriousness of the Government of India and the responsibility it has with regard to address the climate changes. He also added that India has made a commitment for net zero Carbon emission by 2070 and added that there are many verticals to get net zero carbon emission and Government of India is committed to meet the challenges whatever comes towards that direction.
Each session was followed by remarks and discussions among the delegates from G20 countries. Delegates from many G20 countries participated in the event and shared their insights and recommendations
The theme of S20 for 2023 is Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development. Within this broad theme, the deliberations will focus on three sets of issues: Clean Energy for a Greener Future, Universal Holistic Health, and Connecting Science to Society and Culture. The consultations have begun with the Puducherry meeting. The next two meetings will be held in Bangaram Island (Lakshadweep) and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and will conclude with a Summit meeting in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) later in the year where policy recommendations will be provided to the G20 Leadership.
Ashutosh Sharma Chair for Science-20 in his opening remarks on the day-1 of theScience-20 meeting said that “It is critical time for our planet as we face the challenges of Climate change and is in need of sustainable solutions that will ensure long time prosperity and sustainability.” He also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remarked that innovation is important not just for combating climate change but also for climate justice. He further added that “for this we need research and we need innovation to make clean energy technology avaialable, accessabale and affordable.”
S20 Engagement Group, comprising the national science academies of the G20 countries, was initiated during Germany’s Presidency in 2017. It presents policymakers with consensus-based science-driven recommendations formulated through task forces comprising international experts.
India, as the President of G20, aspires to make G20 truly “inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented”, as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agenda of S20 reflects this principle in the planning and use of science for inclusive and sustainable development.
