Prof. G. Bala is a well-known climate and carbon cycle scientist who has made seminal contributions in understanding of factors that influence climate change. He has used earth system models to infer robust responses of the global climate, carbon and water cycles. His scientific contributions in elucidating the “fast and slow response” of the global climate system, geoengineering and biophysical impacts of land cover change on climate are globally recognized. His research has important implications for mitigation strategies such as afforestation and climate intervention strategies such as geoengineering. He has served as Lead and Contributing Author and as expert reviewer for the IPCC AR5 and AR6 WG1 reports.