A three-day conference on "Holistic response to climate change' began at the SM Convention Centre here today. The conference is being organised by the World Environment Foundation. Around 300 experts will discuss the issue of climate change during the three-day conference. Dr Madhev Mehra, president of World Council For Corporate Government, UK, said climate change could reduce global consumption of various products by 20 per cent. That could mean GDP reduction of 5 per cent. "India generates 600 million tonne agricultural waste every year. This waste can be used to generate 80,000 MW power besides providing employment to around 30 million people,' he said. Lieut-Gen J.S. Ahluwalia (retd), director-general of the World Environment Foundation said developing countries like India were causing much less damage to the environment than developed nations. "We consume only 6 tonne natural material per person per year as compared to 75 tonne per person per year in the USA,' he said. Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal was given the Golden Peacock Award for environment leadership on the occasion. He said the hill states like Himachal were paying the price for saving the environment and the country should pay them back for it. He reiterated the state government's commitment to protect the environment. Others who will be given the Golden Peacock Award for 2008 include Tulsi R. Tanti, chairman and managing director of Suzlon Energy Limited, the ONGC, the Bhillai Steel Plant, the GE India Technology Centre, Reliance Industries Limited, the Hazira manufacturing unit, Shree Cement Limited, the Multi-commodity Exchange of India, ACC Cements Limited, the Institute of Drilling Technology, Mosar Baer Photovoltiac, IOCL Limited and Tata BP Solar India Limited.