Kolkata, April 26 (Representative) The US Government is committed to enhancing India’s commitment to combating climate change, an official said on Wednesday. “The U.S. Government is committed to enhancing India’s commitment to combating climate change through collaboration on developing and deploying clean technologies, curbing emissions, mobilisation of investment capital to support clean energy transition, and building capacity to adapt to climate risks and build resilience,” Public Affairs Officer (PAO) of the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata Adrian Pratt said. He said the U.S. Department of State has supported projects focused on ASEAN’s plastic pollution challenge and the importance of promoting integrated solid waste management strategies for creating sustainable local and regional solutions.
The event was the culmination of the Ichamati Kawtha project which has been going on for a year to raise awareness on plastic pollution in the trans-boundary Ichamati river, and necessary Climate Action in five different locations in West Bengal — Duttapulia, Bongaon, Basirhat, Taki and Jogeshganj in climate vulnerable heritage site Sunderbans. The Ichamati Kawtha project is aimed to undertake research to assess the status of the Ichamati River with emphasis on waste management and plastic waste in particular, in Duttapulia, Bongaon, Basirhat, Taki and Jogeshganj in Sunderban along the banks of the transboundary river Ichhamati. It also endeavours to create as also strengthen public campaigns and discourses that highlight the theme of reducing pollution – with emphasis on plastics – in transboundary rivers and water systems in general, and how that impacts the climate action agenda. The initiative also undertakes advocacy to bring together stakeholders on the theme of reducing pollution in transboundary rivers and water systems in the larger Indo-Pacific region, with Ichhamati River and its linked water systems as a pilot initiative and a conversation starter.