changeadminVarious research reports and scientific studies show that as the years go by, global warming is more than a threat. Melting ice caps, wildfires, cyclones, and excessive heat are events that are testimony to the evolving climate change.
The good news is that we still have hope, but for that, we would need huge investments to build solutions that might not exist currently. To build solutions, we would need a large number of people who are conversant with areas around climate action. Therefore building knowledge, developing expertise, and creating skills around climate change is the need of the hour.
In line with this, climate education has been gaining worldwide recognition and India is not far behind. A growing number of educational institutions are coming forward to impart climate change courses in India.
Here is the list of Indian colleges and universities that provide education related to climate change, climate action, and sustainable development.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), India’s prestigious research university for higher education started Divecha Centre for Climate Change in January 2009. The centeris established to create awareness among people and policymakers about climate change and its consequences. Divecha Centre for Climate Change has published several research reports since its inception.
The IISc Bengaluru also offers MTech and Ph.D. programs in climate and earth sciences.
The selection for MTech in climate science is based on a GATE score (70% weightage) and an interview (30% weightage). The program covers areas like atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, ocean dynamics, clouds radiation and climate, earth systems, numerical modeling of climate, methods of observations, satellite meteorology, and climate data time series analysis.
The Ph.D. and M.Tech.(Research) in earth science includes areas of research like paleoclimate reconstruction; atmospheric and ocean chemistry; application of major and trace element geochemistry and traditional and non-traditional stable isotope geochemistry to modern-day and early earth processes among others.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is a not-for-profit, policy research organization that works in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development. Established in 1974 in New Delhi, it was earlier known as the Tata Energy Research Institute. Over the years, TERI has expanded to many cities in India and regions across the globe.
In 1998, TERI established the TERI School of Advanced Studies (SAS) to provide academic learning programs. TERI SAS offers master’s degrees, doctoral programs, and diploma courses in the realms of energy, environment, and sustainable development.
The list of its master’s courses are –
- M. Tech (Water Resource Engineering and Management)
- M.Sc. (Water Science and Governance)
- LLM (Environment and Natural Resources Law / Infrastructure and Business Law)
- M.A. (Public Policy and Sustainable Development)
- M.A. (Sustainable Development Practice)
- M.B.A. (Sustainability Management)
- M.B.A. (Infrastructure Management)
- M.Sc. (Climate Science and Policy)
- M.Sc. (Economics)
- M.Sc. (Environmental Studies and Resource Management)
- M.Sc. (Geoinformatics)
- M.Sc. (Biotechnology)
- M.Tech (Renewable Energy Engineering and Management)
- M.Tech (Urban Development Management)
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) is one of the leading institutes in India imparting education, and training in various fields of science and technology. The Institute is globally recognized as a leader in science and engineering education.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) initiated an interdisciplinary program (IDP) in Climate Studies at the doctoral level in 2012. The interdisciplinary program is one of the first doctoral programs that envisages developing scientific knowledge of climate change and connecting it to impacts (environment, resources, socio-economic) and effective response (technology and adaptation).
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad
IIT-Hyderabad started the Department of Climate Change in 2019 to offer courses and electives related to climate change. The 2-year M.Tech course in climate change includes topics like atmosphere, weather, climate, climate change, modeling and climate sciences, etc.
Admissions can be done on MoE funding or self-sponsored. For MoE funding, admissions are on the basis of GATE scores while self-sponsored admissions are based on written tests and/or interviews.
Anant National University (AnantU)
Anant National University is a private university located in Ahmedabad and was established in 2016. The university established the Anant School of Climate Action to facilitate climate education in India.
As per the university, the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) specializing in climate technologies is India’s first undergraduate program that focuses on climate. The eligibility to take admission in the program is a high school degree, with at least 3 of the following subjects: computer sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
The 4-year undergraduate program will be divided into 8 semesters and will help students to build technology solutions for mitigating or adapting to climate change, use specialized software for simulating climate impact and be part of live industry climate projects.
In addition, the Anant School of Climate Action offers a master’s degree, Ph.D., a Fellowship Program, and executive education specializing in climate studies.
Central University of Gujarat
The Central University of Gujarat offers courses in environmental sciences through the School of Environment and Sustainable Development. The department is offering a Ph.D. program since its inception in 2011 and introduced M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences in 2015.
Environmental Sciences cover a range of subjects – ecology; ecosystem; biodiversity; natural resources; environment and energy; environmental pollution; pollution control technology; environmental monitoring and assessment; green technology; environmental laws and regulation; instrumentation and statistics; Industrial hygiene and safety; environmental toxicology; environmental biotechnology and nanotechnology; sustainable development and management.
- Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainable Development
- M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences
Ashoka University
Ashoka University is a private university established in 2014 and located in Sonipat, Haryana. The university has the Department of Environmental Studies to impart education on a variety of subjects—from wildlife conservation to sustainable food systems, urban planning to air pollution, collective action, and environmental movements.
The department offers an undergraduate program in environmental studies and a one-year postgraduate diploma program in environmental studies.
Lovely Professional University
Lovely Professional University is a private state university located in Punjab. The university that was established in 2005 offers full time and part time Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Sciences.
Wrapping Up
In November 2021, India pledged at the Glasgow climate summit to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. In addition, the Prime Minister also announced to reduce its total projected carbon emissions and meet 50% of its energy requirements by increasing its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030.
To achieve this goal, India would need massive investments and most importantly trained people who are going to help the country achieve these targets. The climate change courses in India will not only facilitate providing a skilled workforce to take green jobs, but would also create awareness, and increase our knowledge and understanding of the environment.
What about School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar?