Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East & Northeast India, has stated that the UK-India Knowledge Exchange on AI-driven Climate Modelling Centre and Policy Making marks a significant step in strengthening Meghalaya’s climate action.
“By combining UK expertise to advance climate science with India’s deep regional knowledge, we can co-develop innovative solutions to protect communities and drive a net zero future. This collaboration sets a powerful precedent for future partnerships in Climate Innovations and sustainability,” Fleming said.
He was speaking at the UK-India Knowledge Exchange Workshop on AI-Based Climate Modelling Centre and Policy Making, organised by the British High Commission in collaboration with IIM Shillong and the Meghalaya government.
The workshop convened leading experts, policymakers and researchers from India and the UK, an IIM Shillong press release stated today.
The two-day event served as a platform to explore AI-driven solutions aimed at addressing critical climate challenges and enhancing policy frameworks for sustainable environmental management.
With participation from leading institutions such as the UK MetOffice, University College London, University of Leeds and University of Oxford, the workshop reinforced a shared commitment to leveraging AI-driven solutions for climate adaptation.
Speaking at the event, DP Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, reiterated that AI would enhance climate modelling with precise data and simulations, aiding in sustainable initiatives such as water conservation, energy distribution and resource optimisation.
Teidor Lyngdoh, Chair External Relations, IIM Shillong, emphasised the importance of translating discussions into tangible outcomes.
Lyngdoh stressed that engagements with UK representatives reinforced the urgency of achieving measurable results, setting the stage for transformative AI-driven climate solutions within the coming months.
Joshua Bamford, Head of Tech and Innovation Team at the British High Commission, explained that both governments committed to establishing a UK-India Joint Centre for AI focused on climate, sustainability, finance, cybersecurity and healthcare.
Albert Chiang, Officer on Special Duty at the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, underscored the fragility of Meghalaya’s ecosystem due to erratic rainfall and watershed degradation. He acknowledged the timely intervention of the UK government in climate policy mitigation and stressed that AI-driven localised data analysis would play a critical role in developing an actionable roadmap.
The workshop featured in-depth technical sessions on climate issues in Northeast India, UK best practices in AI-driven climate modeling, and Indian innovations in climate modeling.
