BENGALURU:There is ample room for collaborations with the state government in terms of addressing issues, provided the state takes the first step, said Andrea Christ, Deputy Consul General of the German Consulate in Bengaluru.
Christ was speaking at a programme organised by The Energy and Resources Institute, Fraunhofer, a think-tank, and the German consulate, to announce a one-day workshop on sustainable cities and climate change, to be held on Wednesday.
“It is very important to collaborate with the state government to address issues, both at micro and macro levels. However, the state government must take the first step. Ownership of an idea is imperative.
“The German Consul General can, as a second step, collaborate so that the issues can be analysed and addressed. In this regard, the German Development Cooperation Karnataka is already working with the government to address the issue of waste management. In India, funding and manpower are in abundance,” Christ said.
Deliberating on the issue of addressing climate change, Christ said it is a question of international responsibility and solidarity.
“Climate change poses massive risks to global prosperity and security, but we still have a chance to prevent this. The time is ripe for deliberations in this regard.
“Climate change is a question of international responsibility and solidarity. We need to use the tools of diplomacy to raise ambitions in partner countries, to forge alliances and build the necessary political momentum,” she added.
Prof Alexander Kramer, a public health expert from Germany, who will be participating in the workshop, opined that climate change affects public health, which is why it is essential to study its effects.
“Public health is largely affected by climate change. Today, there is rapid urbanisation taking place everywhere,” Kramer said.
The workshop on Wednesday will primarily focus on sustainable cities with a special focus on municipal solid waste management, deteriorating air quality and water pollution.
Former additional chief secretary K Jairaj, TERI southern regional centre director Pronab Dasgupta and others will be present at the workshop.