London School of Economics Director Professor Craig Calhoun is excited about new venture Experts from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are to work with research partners in Karnataka for green growth in the Indian state of Karnataka.The experts will provide research and policy advice on sustainable and equitable economic growth in the Karnataka State.
Speaking at the launch in the Karnataka State capital of Bangalore, LSE Director Professor Craig Calhoun said: "This is important work which will make a significant difference to local people, and will act as a model for other state governments in India. It is also a great example of the contributions social science can make. The programme further strengthens the deep and long-lasting relationship between LSE and India. As I have made clear no country is more important than India, and I am delighted that the School is able to make a major contribution to the project."
Through the Bangalore Climate Change Initiative - Karnataka (BCCI -K), academics from LSE will work with colleagues from the state government, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Indian Institute of Science, C-STEP, Institute for Social and Economic Change, and the University of Agricultural Sciences.
The commitment of politicians and Karnataka State government administrators is strong. Chief secretary Ranganath and the chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council, Shankaramurthy, participated in the launch and are closely involved. The $1 million, approximately £660,000 research programme, will help develop a green growth strategy, and address poverty reduction as well as how to deliver sustainable development.
The chair of BCCI-K, Professor B K Chandrashekar, who has worked with Dr Ruth Kattumuri, co-director of the LSE India Observatory, and Professor Lord Nicholas Stern from the beginning of this initiative. Speaking at the event, Professor Stern, IG Patel Chair of Economics and Government at LSE, said: "Karnataka will provide a powerful example to other States in India and to the world of how to combine adaptation to climate change which is occurring, reduction of emissions, and growth and poverty reduction. Climate change is already having a strong impact on the livelihoods of the 70 million people of Karnataka and the creativity of Bangalore and Karnataka is already beginning to show how to respond."