Climate Risk, Adaptation and Sustainable Development

By Prof. Md Behera | IIT Kharagpur

Learners enrolled: 2564 | Exam registration: 1362

ABOUT THE COURSE:

The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report defines Climate Risk has the potential for negative consequences for society or ecosystems. However, there is still time for us to adapt to it and mitigate its effects. This course offers a comprehensive overview on the scientific background and current technologies including the (i) Key Drivers of Future Climate and the basis on which Projections are made, (ii) Future Pathways for Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development, (iii) Factors and Constraints for Adaptation and Mitigation Responses, (iv) Current trends and gaps in Adaptation Finance and Investment, and (v) Climate change policy and treaties.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Academics and Industry

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: All Industries releasing GHGs such as Cement, Thermal Power, Mining etc

Summary

Course Status :	Ongoing
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	19 Jan 2026
End Date :	10 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	02 Feb 2026
Exam Registration Ends :	20 Feb 2026
Exam Date :	19 Apr 2026 IST
NCrF Level	4.5 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Understanding Climate and Climate Change

Week 2: Mechanisms of Climate Change

Week 3: Projected Changes in Climate System

Week 4: Future Risks and Impacts caused by a Changing Climate including Indian Examples

Week 5: Characteristics of Adaptation and mitigation pathways including Indian Examples

Week 6: Factors and Constraints for Adaptation and Mitigation Responses including Indian Examples

Week 7: Technology and Finance; Trade-offs,

Week 8: Current trends and gaps in Adaptation Finance and Investment

Week 9: Market-based Instruments (Carbon Tax, Carbon Finance, emission Trade); and Regulatory Instruments (EPA, REDD, CDM)

Week 10: International agreements and Climate Policy Architecture

Week 11: Sustainable Development Goals

Week 12: Nature Based Climate Solutions and Indian Examples

Books and references

1. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, IPCC VIth AR WG-II.

2. Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Climate Change Paperback –Akimasa Sumi, Kensuke Fukushi and Ai Hiramatsu – Springer

3. Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation - Wei-Yin Chen, Toshio Suzuki, and Maximilian Lackne

Instructor bio

Prof. Md Behera

IIT Kharagpur

Prof. Mukunda Dev Behera is a renowned scientist specializing in ecological climatology. Currently affiliated with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, he has made significant contributions to forest informatics, resource management, and nature conservation. His work incorporates innovative experiments and field-based measurements using satellite remote sensing technologies.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: April 19, 2026 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Kharagpur .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team