Towards a Resilient Planet

The vast majority of the people living in India—nearly 90 percent—are worried about climate change. That’s more than any of the 13 countries recently surveyed. This comes as no surprise. Climate impacts—extreme heat, massive floods, and the related problem of deadly air pollution—are increasingly threatening communities in India. World leaders and experts are gathering virtually this week to find solutions to the climate crisis, air pollution and other planetary health problems at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS).

The survey conducted by Politico/Morning consult found that respondents in the all of the 13 developed and emerging economies surveyed were “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about climate change. The respondents in India had the highest concern about climate change. At the same time, the respondents in India would like to see more investment and action from developed nations on climate change.

The survey results amplify the theme of WSDS this year—“Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future”. World leaders and experts will discuss planetary health along with pandemic-driven socioeconomic crises to reframe global ambition on climate resilience and measures for sustainable development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present an inaugural address at the start of the summit. WSDS, hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), is an important global platform focused on the unique challenges developing countries face on the frontlines of climate change.

For India, inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable communities while adequately addressing environmental challenges is critical to robust economic growth and social development. For many, the last two years, exacerbated by COVID-19, have been characterized by the widening of the inequalities of access to energy and resources as well as the increasing burden of the climate crisis and air pollution. These and other critical issues will be discussed at with more than 30 sessions over the 3-day summit. 

NRDC at WSDS 2022

NRDC President Manish Bapna is a speaker during the plenary session on “Planetary Health, Humanitarian and Equity Implications of Sustainable Development Policies”. The plenary will discuss planetary health and climate solutions to solving the climate crisis through a greater focus on resilience. Mr. Bapna will focus on his work with the Global Commission on Adaptation, chaired by Bill Gates and Ban Ki-moon as well as NRDC’s work on improving air quality in the United States, China and India.

NRDC’s Polash Mukerjee is a speaker during the thematic session, “Evidence Based Action Planning to Achieve Clean Air”. Speakers will discuss progress made at the city level for air pollution control with government officials and experts highlighting key takeaways from experiences abroad and in India.

The detailed WSDS program is available here. NRDC is honored to partner with TERI on the summit for over 10 years. WSDS serves as an opportunity to create solutions for all to climate change, air pollution and environmental threats while working toward sustainable development.