Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched the ‘Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling’ (CoE-HRSC) at IIM Nagpur via video conferencing to address climate change challenges. This center will become a permanent part of the State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM), as announced by the Chief Minister. Fadnavis stressed the impact of climate change on agriculture, especially small-scale farmers, citing heatwaves leading to school closures and other severe issues like drought and rising temperatures.
The newly established center will focus on enhancing Heat Action Plans (HAP) and Urban Climate Action Plans, supporting high-priority cities, and training government officials and citizens on eco-friendly practices. Maharashtra aims for 52% renewable energy by 2030, increasing to 65% by 2035, with plans to provide 16,000 MW of solar power for farmers. Manish Bapna, President of NRDC, highlighted the global significance of the center in combating extreme heat, emphasizing the need for strong institutions to drive progress.
The CoE-HRSC is a result of a partnership between IIM Nagpur and NRDC, aiming to address heat-related challenges in Nagpur and the Vidarbha region. With temperatures often exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in the area, the center will research cost-effective cooling technologies and sustainable urban designs to mitigate environmental impacts. The center will initially operate from IIM Nagpur and later shift to the State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) in Nagpur’s MIHAN area, supported by a significant government grant.
