C4DI Background
The Center for Climate Change and Clean Development Initiatives - C4DI was established in response to the growing urgency to address climate change. This initiative traces its roots back to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. This pivotal event marked the global awakening to the importance of environmental protection. Although the term "Climate Change" was not explicitly coined at the time, the cascading and cumulative effects of environmental degradation were becoming increasingly evident.
It was not until 1994, nearly two decades later, that climate change was formally recognized as a critical global issue. This recognition led to the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Alongside the UNFCCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed as its scientific advisory body. The IPCC's mission is to provide scientific assessments on climate change, its implications, and potential future risks, as well as to propose strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
Efforts to combat climate change encompass every facet of life on Earth, affecting all forms of flora and fauna, including humans and the non-living entities that make up our planet. Unlike other species that act based on natural instincts, human activities are driven by intellect and have significantly accelerated climate change. Consequently, anthropogenic activities are identified as the primary contributors to the current climate crisis.
One of the most significant impacts of human activity is the increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. The concentration of GHGs before the Industrial Revolution (circa 1750-1800) was approximately 287 parts per million (ppm). Since then, this level has continuously risen, reaching 421 ppm today. This rise in GHGs has led to a notable increase in the Earth's average temperature, underscoring the need for global action to regulate GHG emissions and establish development imperatives focused on sustainability.
In response to this global challenge, the concept of Clean and Sustainable Development was introduced. This approach aims to balance development needs with the imperative to reduce GHG emissions, ensuring that future growth does not come at the expense of our planet's health. The C4DI is dedicated to advancing these principles, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable development practices to combat climate change effectively.
Our Mission
The C4DI mission focuses on conducting all the human centric endeavour to combat CC. The day since it became a well-accepted fact that the CC is a Global Phenomenon and it covers all the domains under its umbrella; it was also understood that the measures to combat the CC can certainly not be the Global one but they are actually local, small and tiny measures. Further, it is well accepted fact that the human induced issue of CC can be tackled and combated with the help of Humans only.
C4DI focuses on the lower strata of people living in the urban slums and rural and tribal remote areas. Livelihood enhancement, Education and health are the major issues addressed through various projects conducted by C4DI. Since inception, the C4DI through its projects has touched all such domains responsible for CC with an idea that their cohesive and cascading effects shall lead to reduce the impacts of the CC.
C4DI is performing intensive work in each domain. At C4DI, we undertake consultancy regarding Research, Study, Data Analysis and Interventions in domains like, Forests, Agriculture and Agro-forestry, Green House cultivation, Study on Land Laws, Land conservation by focusing on Paleo Channel studies, Watershed management studies, Rann of Kutch (both GRK and LRK) ecosystem, Nal Sarovar ecosystem, Waste Management studies, Welfare of NT-DNT (Nomadic tribes and De-notified Tribes) and other lower and rural community through effective implementation of SEED scheme.
The center regularly conducts training and dissemination of ideas of conservation of the bounty of the nature and natural resources through workshops at our Camp Sites ‘Adam’s Nature Retreat’ situated in the midst of the Aravali mountain range and ‘Chanakya trust’ campus situated in the midst of the ravines of river Sabarmati.
Special focus on NT-DNT community
Enhancing livelihood opportunities, socio-economic independence, elevating standard of living, nourish with better education, health and shelter to the people of lower strata of society viz. rural and tribal people of constitutionally declared backward communities like SC, ST, NT-DNT; remains an invariable and indispensable component of all the projects C4DI conduct. C4DI firmly believes that Environment, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Sustainable Development etc. are collectively coinciding and coterminous with People of the region. If the focus is paid on the interventions like; enhancing livelihood opportunities, socio-economic independence, elevating standard of living, nourish with better education, health and shelter to the people of lower strata of society viz. rural and tribal people of constitutionally declared backward communities like SC, ST, NT-DNT; it directly or indirectly the issues related to Environment and Climate Change. And hence, C4DI emphasis on changing the livelihood scenario of a region and setting up the effective and efficient institutional mechanism in the region. C4DI conducts its projects with this very idea and comes up with a plausible solution to the prevailing problems. Upon experimental implementation of the ideas of the outcome of the project, we insists local to state level bodies to spare substantial fund for the same.
We are deeply committed to working with Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic, and Denotified Tribes (NTDNT) communities in Gujarat due to their unique socio-economic challenges and historical marginalization. These communities have faced centuries of systemic neglect, discrimination, and exclusion from mainstream development programs. By focusing our efforts on NTDNT communities, we aim to address these historical injustices and provide them with the opportunities and resources they need to improve their living conditions, access education, healthcare, and secure sustainable livelihoods. Our work is inspired by the need to bring these communities into the fold of inclusive development, ensuring they are not left behind in the state's progress.
Gujarat, with its rich cultural diversity, is home to numerous NTDNT communities that have preserved unique traditions and ways of life. However, these communities often lack legal recognition and documentation, making it difficult for them to access government welfare schemes and basic services. By partnering with local stakeholders, government agencies, and community leaders, our NGO aims to facilitate the provision of essential services such as education, healthcare, housing, and legal aid. We believe that empowering these communities through education and skill development is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring their sustainable development. Our programs are designed to be culturally sensitive and community-driven, ensuring that the voices and needs of the NTDNT people are at the forefront of our initiatives.
Our commitment to working with NTDNT communities in Gujarat is also driven by the vision of creating a more equitable and just society, as envisioned by the Prime Minister's development agenda. The SEED Scheme, supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, offers a framework for economic empowerment and social inclusion of NTDNT communities. By implementing this scheme and other tailored programs, we aim to build their capacity, enhance their economic opportunities, and promote social integration. We understand that the journey towards equality and empowerment is long, but with dedicated efforts and collaborative partnerships, we are confident that significant positive changes can be achieved in the lives of NTDNT communities in Gujarat.
Future for Students
C4DI can be a base for various opportunities for students in exploring the domain of climate change and further attaining knowledge by participating in our projects. C4DI is looking forward to the effective, creative and sincere involvement of more than 200 students in various projects from domains other than conventional domains, like, decarbonization of the urban areas, watershed design and mapping of drought prone areas, conservation and protection of forest fringes, our mission renewable energy for all etc. in coming 2 to 3 years.
Founder Members and Directors on Board
Chirag Shailesh Shastri: Founder and Project Director
Dr. Vijay K. Agarwal: President and Director (Technical)
Dr. P. S. Thakker: Director (Technical)
Shailesh S. Shastri: Chairman and Founder Director on Board
Anila S. Shastri: Founder Director on Board
C4DI Advisory Committee
Dr. P. S. Thakkar has specialized in fields of Remote Sensing and Archeology CV annexed, Multi-faceted stalwart have domain expertize in Forestry and Botany, Birding (Ornithology), Remote Sensing, Archeology.
Dr. M. G. Thakkar Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science, Kachchh University. (specialized in Neotectonics and Paleo-seismology) is renowned geologist associated with the Center for Paleo Channel studies in Rann of Kutch. (CV annexed)
Dr. Agarwal (specialized in environmental and climatic analysis and reconstruction) is a Physicist, Ph.D. from IIT/Kanpur, and has worked with ISRO for over 30 years in various positions last being Chief Scientist and has been the lead person for ISRO’s Meteorology, oceanography and climate programme. He and his team at SAC/ISRO has developed comprehensive systems for weather and climate information using integration of automatic data collection platforms, satellite remote sensing and numerical models. He has worked extensive with numerical models for forecasts of weather, climate and ocean state for the country. He has led numerous national committees in these fields. He has more than 60 peer reviewed papers, more than 10 very important reports and over 300 conference presentations.
Dr. Gupta has more than 30 years of experience in hydrology and has been one of the pioneer in the country performing isotopic analysis of water coming from different sources. He is a national coordinator for DST/GOI project IWIN. He has written a book on sustainable hydrology which has been distributed internationally.
Dr Bharat H Desai, Professor of International Law and Jawaharlal Nehru Chair Chairperson, Center for International Legal Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
He is a forester and wild life expert and is known for his indispensable association with forest of Gujarat, especially the forests of Aravali Mountain ranges. He runs a camp site supported by C4DI, named Adam’s Nature Retreat, wherein he conducts camps for various academic groups. He is a professional healer, Forestry expert, Environment educator and birder.
With over two decades of experience in development and humanitarian leadership, Kuldeep has demonstrated exceptional adaptability and unwavering dedication, consistently delivering both immediate results and long-term strategic impact. Armed with a Master's degree in Rural Development and a Bachelor's degree in Rural Studies, Kuldeep's extensive career spans some of the world's most challenging environments, including Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Iraq, and Sudan, as well as middle-income countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. He has a proven track record of implementing complex emergency response and development programs, skillfully managing diverse teams to achieve outstanding outcomes.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kuldeep has held pivotal leadership roles in renowned international organizations. In senior positions, he has spearheaded the development and execution of organizational strategies, managed large-scale programs, secured critical partnerships, and represented his organizations on various platforms. Kuldeep is committed to ensuring sustainable impact for vulnerable populations through rigorous compliance and risk management. His deep understanding of the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers, climate change, vulnerability, and marginalization informs his holistic approach to development, making him a visionary leader in the field.
Kanubhai Rajgor is an environmentalist, Philanthropist, Conservation of Nature, Wild Life and Rann of Kutch Ecosystem.He is a Wildlife enthusiast and environmentalist following the mantra of ‘protection, conservation, and awareness’. During the last 15 years, he has strongly carried activities aimed at wildlife protection and conservation of biodiversity by inhibiting the activities like poaching, land gabbing, and other illegal activities by using satellite data. After understanding the land-use changes on the ground over the large inaccessible desert areas through satellite data access, he takes all the measures to facilitate the Flora and Fauna of in the Rann of Kutch by arranging for water, food and other security.