South Asian University (SAU), an international public university, was set up in 2010 by eight SAARC nations in the region. It now proposes to set up a dedicated Center on Climate Change, Green Transformation, and Sustainability, which it believes will add value to its existing verticals of academic, research, and training programs at the cusp of policy and practice components. To take forward the plan of setting up the center, we convened a focus group meeting on July 19, 2024, at the university premises to discuss various aspects related to the proposed center.

We are well aware of the complexity of climate change challenges, which now more than ever before warrant specific solutions aimed both at adaptation and mitigation aspects of the climate crisis. The Centre would endeavor to focus on niche research, policy, practice, and academic programs, catering to the tailored solutions in context of the specific regional needs in the medium and long term horizon. The Centre would help build skills and inculcate sensibilities towards sustained positive human behavioral aspects while partnering with diverse regional shareholders and stakeholders.