Seventh Edition of International Conference on Climate Change 2023 brings over 100 experts from 25 countries onto one platform

From left: University of Colombo Sri Lanka Professor in Environmental Science, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences Center for Environmental Initiatives Director Prof. Erandathie Lokupitiya, The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) Sri Lanka Co-Founder & Managing Director Isanka P. Gamage, and Friedrich-Naumann Foundation for Freedom Sri Lanka & Bangladesh Country Director Wolfgang Heinze

The 7th International Conference on Climate Change 2023 (ICCC 2023), the latest edition of the event brings together leading global experts on climate-related topics on to one platform, successfully concluded recently.

The event was held under the theme “Climate Action and Emerging Challenges: Land- and Ocean-based Solutions” and the conference was chaired by University of Colombo Sri Lanka Prof. Erandathie Lokupitiya.

ICCC 2023 was organised by The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) in collaboration with universities from Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, South Africa and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Sri Lanka. 

The purpose of the ICCC 2023 was to provide a focal forum for experts to share their latest research findings, knowledge, opinions, suggestions and vision, while also providing a variety of interactive platforms, such as panels, keynote forums by prominent researchers in the field of climate change, group discussions, workshops, networking, and many similar experiences.

The event united diverse researches, innovations and case studies from all over the world, in parallel sessions while offering many networking and publishing opportunities. With over consist of 100+ participants from 25+ different countries, the conference paved the way for experts to learn about the latest trends and challenges in the field.

The Conference Chair, Prof. Lokupitiya stated that atmospheric CO2 level is reached 420ppm in 2022 and elaborated the resulting global warming effect followed by extreme weather event across the world. She further explained on the key milestones on the international effort in handling climate change with formation of UNFCCC in 1992, Kyoto Protocol in 1997 leading into the most important event in climate change management thus far which is the Paris Agreement (PA) in 2015 during COP 21. Importance of using renewable energy, preserving natural resources for future generations as we seek sustainable development was explained further by Prof. Lokupitiya and she used the phrase “Think globally and act locally” to explain how each individual can reduce their own carbon footprint in a collaborative effort on reducing global carbon footprint.

The Keynote Speaker of ICCC 2023 was 2021 Blue Planet Prize Laureate, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Vice-Chair and Munasinghe Institute for Development Founder Chairman Prof. Mohan Munasinghe. The key highlight of Day 1 was his keynote speech on “Integrating Climate Policies into Overall Sustainable Development Strategy – The Balanced Inclusive Green Growth (BIGG) Path”. Prof. Sarath Kotagama from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka delivered a plenary speech at the conference. 

Day 1 concluded with the panel discussion on “Can we achieve the goal of climate action and net zero targets, as planned, with the ongoing climate and economic crisis?” which was moderated by World Bank, Sri Lanka Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senaratne. The panellists of this discussion were Prof. Amal S. Kumarage, Prof. Buddhi Marambe and H. K. Wickramasinghe.

The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) Sri Lanka Conference Convener, Co-Founder & Managing Director Isanka P. Gamage stated: “Once again it was a highly informative and well-attended event where top global climate change experts were brought onto one platform to share their latest research and insights. During the past few decades, the world has gradually learned about what we truly value and what truly matters in the regional and global context.

“At the same time, we have had to relearn the power of quality research in order to produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting. This conference has once again enabled us to understand the complexities of this all-important topic and understand where the world stands today in our battle against climate change.”

The conference also included 15 technical sessions that covered multiple topics including Natural Resources and Biodiversity in a Warming World; Climate Change – Mitigation, Measurements, Modelling, and Predictions I; Climate Change Economics, Law and Policy; Impacts, Hazards, Risks, and Effective Adaptation to Climate Change I; Climate Change, Awareness, Green Initiatives and Products I; Global Warming, Agriculture, and Food Security I; Carbon Management and Climate Change Mitigation; and Technology Transfer, Law and Innovative Solutions to Climate Change.

Day 2 concluded with a Publication Workshop on “Tips for getting published in international journals experience as an editor and associate editor” by USA Research Hydrologist-Water Resources Dr. Stacey Archfield and the Awards Ceremony.

Panel Discussion moderated by World Bank, Sri Lanka Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senaratne. Panelists: University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Prof. Amal S. Kumarage, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Demand Side Management Deputy Director General H. K. Wickramasinghe