International Conference: Cities of Care: Shaping sustainable and equitable futures through the water-food-waste nexus

Co-convened by Univeristy of Toronto School of Cities, School of Sustainability IIT Madras, and Univeristy of Toronto India Foundation, this international conference seeks to deepen interdisciplinary research and foster a richer understanding of water, food and waste systems – both individually and as an interconnected nexus – thereby enhancing pathways between evidence and practice. By bringing together academics, practitioners, and decision-makers, the convening aims to catalyze dialogue, inform action, and inspire transformative thinking toward more equitable and regenerative urban futures. To know more and register:

Net Zero Now: Bridging Science, Markets, and Policy for a Sustainable Future

Jointly organized by the Global Network for Zero and ProClime, in partnership with the School of Sustainability, IIT Madras, the Net Zero Regional Conclave takes a contexual approch in identifying and accelerating net zero strategies on the regional scale. The conclave with all the key stakeholders at the table, discusses the instruments to achive regional decarbonization including net zero readiness assessment, intersectoral collaboration, climate finance, and community-led projects.

Sustainability for Indian Businesses - Cohort 4 Starts today!

With climate-related risks & associated multi-level esource pressures posing a real threat to industry worldwide, bringing sustainability into planning & execution is an opportunity for growth for industries. Be it value-driven, compliance-driven or mandate-driven, there is a growing realization within India's corporate sector that value can be created & reinvested through facilitating sustainable pathways. However, the notion of a trade-off between sustainability & profitability continues, necessitating both “top-down” & "bottom-up" reforms in all the pillars of sustainability. The 6-week Executive Education program "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" is designed to help industry professionals practically align Sustainable Development Goals with core business strategies. By bridging knowledge & application gaps, individuals & industries will unlock new avenues for growth & contribute towards India’s nationally determined contributions & its green, climate-resilient future.

Tamil Nadu LandUse 2025 – International Conference on Research & Innovation for a Sustainable Future!

Hosted by the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board under the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission in partnership with Centre for Innovation in Governance, School of Sustainability IIT Madras, and WRI India, the conference aims to catalyse systemic thinking and innovation, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and promote actionable research to address Tamil Nadu’s most pressing land use and climate resilience challenges. Positioned as a global platform, the conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society leaders to co-create solutions for a climate-smart, inclusive and sustainable future of Tamil Nadu’s land and marine resources. To know more, visit

International Conference: Cities of Care - Call for abstracts is out!

As cities grapple with the accelerating impacts of climate change, resource scarcity, and socio-economic fragmentation, the complex interdependencies between water, food, and waste systems demand urgent empirical and policy attention. These domains, often siloed in both academic inquiry and urban governance, intersect in critical ways – shaping human health, ecological resilience, and sustainable urban development. The Cities of Care Conference – co-convened by the UofT India Foundation, the School of Cities, University of Toronto and the School of Sustainability, IIT Madras will be held in Chennai, India, on January 30–31, 2026. This convening seeks to deepen interdisciplinary research and catalyze dialogue among academics, practitioners, and decision-makers to advance evidence-based and actionable pathways for more equitable and regenerative urban futures. We invite abstracts for original research that contribute to theoretical and methodological advances and innovative governance strategies for strengthening urban systems in the areas of water, food, and/or waste systems. Submission Deadline: September 29, 2025 To know more and submit your abstract:

Conference Session: International Mountain Counference, Innsbruck, Austria

With its 2025 edition hosted in the Alps, International Mountain Counference provides an excellent opportunity for experts from different disciplines to discuss mountain-related issues in a cross-disciplinary setting. The key goals of the conference are to synthesize and enhance our understanding of mountain ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to climate change, with shifts in biodiversity, ecosystem services, and land use affecting sustainability at local, regional, and global scales. As part of Past Global Changes (PAGES) DiverseK Working Group, a School of Sustainability member will convene a conference session, "Managing mountain ecosystems in a changing climate: integrating long-term data" that is concetualized to explore integration of ecological, climatic, and land-use data with local knowledge for the sustainable management of mountain regions. The session will address current trends in mountain ecosystems including climate impacts on vegetation and forest management, need for incorporating long-term ecological and historical land-use data, and evaluation of adaptive policy scenarios with stakeholder engagement. More info at

Short Course: Masterclass on ESG: From Compliance to Opportunity

This 8-hour course is designed for professionals looking to understand and apply responsible business practices in today’s evolving regulatory and market landscape in the context of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. Through interactive sessions, real-world examples, and practical exercises, participants will learn how to align business decisions with environmental and social considerations while maintaining strong governance. The course focuses on how companies can create long-term value by managing risks, improving transparency, and responding to stakeholder expectations. It also explores how businesses in India can meet emerging standards, adapt to global trends, and prepare for future challenges. Whether you're new to ESG or seeking to deepen your understanding, this course provides clear, actionable insights tailored to the Indian industry context. Register at

Identity and Beliefs Dissonance

Engaging talk on Identity and Beliefs Dissonance by Dr. Aparna Anand. She is a lecturer of Economics & Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She works in the fields of development economics, and experimental and behavioral economics. She is interested in the economics of education in developing countries, own child labor substitution, occupational identity, and dissonance in beliefs about returns to education. In a recent research, she looked at how improved infrastructure such as access to piped water affects the empowerment of women and their mental health.

SPARC Workshop on Hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Value Chains: Fundamentals & Systems Engineering

The two-day workshop offers an in-depth exploration of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. It covers the fundamentals, production routes, and value chain integration of hydrogen and CCUS, along with sustainable system design and infrastructure planning. Emphasis will be placed on applying systems engineering principles—including dynamic modeling, techno-economic analysis, and optimization tools—for managing and evaluating integrated energy systems. The workshop is designed to equip researchers and professionals with practical tools and decision-support frameworks essential for navigating the complexities of clean energy systems.

Brainstorming Session: Policy Directions for the Future

Diverse IITM entities including CAMS IITM Fitech Innovation Lab, School of Sustainability, IITM-Rotary Centre for Social Development join hands with Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan to brainstorm policy directions for India's future. The key themes include New Education Policy, Healthcare, Industry 5.0, Critical Review of Monetary Policy, Integration of Policies, Blue economy, M-Commerce, Indigenous Production, Promotion of Heritage & Culture, Local products for Global Consumption.

IJBC BizCon2025 in partnership with IITM School of Sustainability!

Hosted by Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC), the 4th India-Japan Business Conference aims to strengthen the growing partnership between the two nations, focusing on accelerating collaborations in technology, trade, and sustainability. Under the theme “Accelerating Indo-Japan Partnerships in Technology, Trade, and Sustainability,” this conference seeks to provide a platform for business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the vast potential for cooperation between both nations. Special emphasis will be placed on SMEs, fostering innovation, and leveraging shared strengths to enhance global competitiveness. As an academic partner, IIT Madras School of Sustainability will support IJBC in stimulating meaningful conversations on technology, policy and business model transformation. To know more and register:

SustainX - ACE 2025 & 4th CO2India Meet - Symposium Registration closes on June 15th!

SustainX - ACE 2025 & 4th CO2India Meet is a national platform to explore innovative strategies for a low-carbon future. It’s a unique chance for students & researchers to learn from top experts, comprehend climate-smart technologies and their social and environmental dimensions, and dive into real-world sustainability topics. From capturing carbon to understanding how finance and communities shape energy transition, the Symposium covers it all! Join us to connect, share ideas, and be part of the journey. The symposium will be followed by a Conference (23-24 June), exclusively planned for showcasing cutting-edge research by student and early-career researchers across India. To know more including the illustrious speakers, check out the website:

SustainX - ACE 2025 & 4th CO2India Meet - Conference Registration closes on June 15th!

Exclusively planned for showcasing cutting-edge research by students and early-career researchers across India, the 2-day conference will hold presentations and flash talks alongside the plenary address, keynote speeches, and panel discussions. Presenters and participants will have an opportunity to interact with a diverse and dynamic audience (academia, industry representatives, officials from relevant ministries, think tanks and non-profits, and financial institutions from India and abroad), deeply invested in CCUS, renewable energy systems, climate policy, and green and sustainable finance. The conference will be preceded by a thematic symposium (21-22 June), hosting insightful lectures from experts chartering new territories of decarbonization and energy transitions. To know more, check out the website:

Sustainability for Indian Businesses Cohort 3 commences!

With climate-related risks & associated multi-level esource pressures posing a real threat to industry worldwide, bringing sustainability into planning & execution is an opportunity for growth for industries. Be it value-driven, compliance-driven or mandate-driven, there is a growing realization within India's corporate sector that value can be created & reinvested through facilitating sustainable pathways. However, the notion of a trade-off between sustainability & profitability continues, necessitating both “top-down” & "bottom-up" reforms in all the four pillars of sustainability - Mitigation, Adaptation, Recovery, & Innovation. The 6-week Executive Education program "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" is designed to help industry professionals practically align Sustainable Development Goals with core business strategies. By bridging knowledge & application gaps, individuals & industries will unlock new avenues for growth & contribute towards India’s nationally determined contributions & its green, climate-resilient future. Enroll before May 26, 2025!

Roundtable on Sustainability in the Built Environment in partnership with Schmidt Sciences and TLC2

The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making sustainable transformation a critical priority. The 2-day roundtable, funded by Schmidt Sciences, will bring together experts from academia, industry, and policy to explore actionable strategies for a more sustainable construction and operation practices. The discussions will span five thematic sessions: Energy, Design, Automation & Digital Technologies, Materials, and Business Models & Policy. The event aims to identify and promote scalable solutions, address adoption barriers, and outline research priorities to accelerate India’s transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable built environment.

PAGES 2025: 7th Open Science Meeting, Shanghai, China

Past Global Changes (PAGES) is an international scientific network which aims to understand the Earth’s past environment in order to obtain better predictions of future climate and environment, and inform strategies for sustainability. The 7th edition of PAGES Open Science Meeting focused on “Earth System Changes from the Past towards the Future”, become a vital platform for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange including the latest scientific findings, innovative methodologies and emerging perspectives. School of Sustainability was part of convening the Session "Transdisciplinary approach to address environmental issues" that involved oral and poster presentations on natural and anthropogenic (biocultural heritage) components of social-ecological systems worldwide and paleodata-driven practices that help maximize biodiversity and resilience in ecosystems.

Games for Good Governance: Sustainable Urban Futures!

School of Sustainability is organizing a simulated gamified workshop in collaboration with an urban futures studio based in FLAME University! If you are working on shaping urban futures, join us for a stimulating yet fun gaming experience like you'd never had before! Through thematic games woven around the themes of Affordable and Sustainable Buildings, Participatory and Inclusive Governance, Energy Transition & Urban Decarbonization, and Disaster Preparedness and Urban Resilience, we can revolutionize the way we educate each other, build disaster preparedness and urban resilience in the language we all understand the most: Play!

Training Program:The Use of Al/ML for Environmental Audit, iCED, Jaipur

During a week-long course, 50 officials of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IAAD) from across India were trained by the School of Sustainability IITM faculty at International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED), a Central Government organisation under the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India, Jaipur. The second cohort will be hosted and trained at IIT Madras in late 2025.

Short Course: Biopolymers for Sustainable Circular Economy

Join us for an exclusive short course by Dr Antonio Capezza, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, co-hosted by Department of Civil Engineering and School of Sustainability IIT Madras! Don't miss the opportunity to gain insights into cutting-edge biopolymer research and its real-world applications!

14th DoHSS Annual Academic Conference on Risk, Precarity, and Vulnerability 2025

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras cordially invites you to the Annual Academic Conference 2025, generously supported by School of Sustainability IIT Madras. Led by distinguished scholars from India and abroad, this year’s conference will be an insightful academic gathering with engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions on critical issues in the humanities and social sciences.

Invited Talk: The Quest Towards Sustainable Energy Transition – ‘Are We Getting There?

Co-hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering and School of Sustainability IIT Madras, Professor Stratos Pistikopoulos FREng (Director, Texas A&M Energy Institute, Dow Chemical Chair, University Distinguished Professor, Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, United States) will talk about all about sustainable energy transitions. The abstract of their talk: Decarbonization, electrification, net-carbon neutrality and low-carbon technology constitute important drivers in energy transition efforts. Open challenges toward such a societal and industrial goal include: (i) how to tame the impact of intermittency of many renewable technologies and the critical role of energy storage, (ii) the need for rigorous life-cycle based carbon accounting, (iii) understanding the material transition requirements as an enabler for the energy transition, and (iv) managing the costs of the various technologies relevant to the transition at different and evolving technology readiness levels. Here, we will attempt to provide a systematic framework of how to address such challenges in a holistic, integrated way toward realistic and sustainable energy transition scenarios. We will discuss the salient interactions in energy-material-mobility transition, the potential opportunities of industrial electrification, carbon capture and utilization and the hydrogen economy, and the role of policy especially in the context of circular economy. A comprehensive multi-scale energy systems engineering approach will be presented as the ‘glue’ to navigate and connect the various pieces of the puzzle in energy transition.

Invited Talk: Electrolyte Engineering for Efficient Green Hydrogen Production

The Department of Chemical Engineering and School of Sustainability co-hosted a scholarly seminar by Prof. Kazuhiro Takanabe from School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. In this seminar, Prof. Takanabe help us delve into discoveries concerning non-noble metal electrocatalysts at non-extreme pH, specifically focusing on their efficiency in both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The resultant cell performance, factoring in the series resistance, achieved a 1 A cm−2 at a voltage of approximately 2.0 V or lower. This achievement stands competitively against the top-class commercial alkaline electrolyzers. Finally unique dynamic characteristics of electrocatalyst will be discussed under mixed buffer conditions, where selective OER was achieved in the presence of chloride ions. These findings not only highlight the feasibility of non-extreme pH electrochemical electrolyzers in industrial applications but also underscore the potential for further advancements and optimizations. The demonstrated success serves as a compelling indicator of the viability of our approach and opens avenues for refining non-extreme pH electrolysis for even greater efficiency and applicability in industrial settings.

New Partnership: International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED)

iCED is a Central Government organisation under C&AG of India, a Global Training Facility (GTF) in Environment Audit & Sustainable Development. As part of at-large IIT Madras MoU, School of Sustainability has joined hands with iCED in developing and implementing capacity building programs and research collaboration in the areas of mutual interest, particularly those pertaining to emerging trends of Environmental Audit and Governance, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

ICSSR Conference: Emerging Issues in Blue Economy

Hosted by IIT Madras, the conference on "Emerging Issues in Blue Economy" aims to address critical challenges and opportunities in the sustainable development of marine and coastal ecosystems.With India's aspirations towards Vision Viksit Bharat @2047, this conference provides a platform for thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners to contribute to shaping policies and strategies for a resilient, vibrant, and inclusive Blue Economy. By focusing on themes such as vulnerability and resilience, food security and livelihood, technology adoption, policy and governance and fishing communities this conference will facilitate discussions on evidence-based solutions and foster collaborations among stakeholders. Participants will gain insights from keynote sessions, peer networking, and the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact edited book. Early career researchers including PhD scholars will particularly benefit from connecting with domain experts and building networks to advance their academic and professional pursuits in the critical field of Blue Economy.

Invited Talk: Environment and Health

Co-hosted by the American Centre Chennai and School of Sustainability, IIT Madras, the session will feature Dr. Jay Lemery, MD, a leading expert in climate and health. Dr. Lemery is the Climate & Health Foundation Endowed Chair in Climate Medicine and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He also serves as the Chief of the Section of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine and is on the faculty of the Colorado School of Health. A past president of the Wilderness Medical Society, Dr. Lemery brings extensive experience in climate medicine, environmental health, and emergency response. Dr. Lemery is currently the medical director for the US National Science Foundation’s Polar Research Program, and director of the Cryosphere Austere Medicine Platform at the University of Colorado. He was the medical director for emergency medical services for the U.S. Antarctic Program from 2014 to 2016. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was elected to the US National Academy of Medicine in 2021.

The School of Sustainability congratulates Sustainability for Indian Businesses Cohort 2!

November through January, the 8-week comprehensive Executive Education Certificate Program "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" became the platform for 30 industry professionals from the diverse sectors and career levels to build confidence and competence in actioning sustainability in their respective business ecosystems. Apart from equipping with a practical scenario-building toolkit and familiarizing with India’s changing policy landscape, "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" imparted a systemic view of sustainability, they say!

Carbon Accounting Workshop

IITM Shaastra Future Cities Summit

School of Sustainability is Social Campaign Partner for Shaastra!

School of Sustainability is at CSR Summit 2024!

Over the years, IIT Madras has built a culture of collaborating with industry to create a lasting impact across diverse themes such as agriculture, healthcare, environment, skilling and education. IIT Madras' flagship CSR Summit celebrates industry-academia ties through a day full of insightful panel discussions, CxOs roundtable, and networking sessions with leaders in industry and academia.

Sustainability for Indian Businesses Cohort 2 - In-person Interaction

Excited to host the participants of our 8-week Executive Education Certificate Program, Sustainability for Indian Businesses! An action-packed day for the participants with a wholesome IIT Madras experience where they will interact with the course faculty and partake in the series of Sustainability-themed events happening on campus.

International Workshop: Industrial Ecology and Data Science for Sustainable Manufacturing in India

Co-organized by Purdue University, USA and IIT Madras, India, the two-day workshop will bring together experts from academia, industry and government working in the area of advanced data science, sustainability, manufacturing and industrial ecology, to identify the convergence pathways for sustainable manufacturing in India. Day 1 will host the dedicated segments on Industrial Ecology, Process Systems Engineering & Data Science (related to Sustainability, and Sustainability/Policy tracks, followed by a number of case studies from Indian Industries while Day 2 is planned to hold a series of discussion sessions to bring out the key learnings.

International Workshop: Expanding Capacities for the Delivery of New Energy Technologies

As part of a successful Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)-University of Sydney (USYD) Ignition Grant the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, the Net Zero Institute and the School of Sustainability at IIT-Madras will be hosting a series of hybrid workshops exploring the building of capabilities in projects with a net-zero focus. The first hybrid workshop took place at IIT Madras on June 24-25, 2024, where the challenges facing project leadership on projects with a net-zero focus were identified and elucidated. The second workshop will take place at USYD on December 3-4, 2024 and look at solutions to strengthen leadership in this field.

International Conference on Advanced Ceramics for Sustainability

The International Conference on Advanced Ceramics for Sustainability (Cera4s) explores the potential of advanced ceramics to address global sustainability challenges. The conference delves into three key themes: Energy, Environment, and Health. It is intended to have five special sessions that will showcase cutting-edge research in these areas, which enable fostering collaboration among leading researchers, industry experts and scientists.Nestled in the vibrant city of Chennai, India, it will be held at IIT Madras, a premier institute of technology which is an institution of national importance providing a perfect backdrop for this forward-looking conference. In association with the School of Sustainability, IIT Madras and the Ceramics Technologies for Futuristic Mobility (IoE Research Center), and co-organised by AC Tech, Anna University, InCerS Tamil Nadu Chapter and C-MET, Hyderabad this event promises a stimulating exchange of ideas, exploration of cutting-edge advancements, and collaboration opportunities to shape the future of sustainable ceramics.

Summit on Sustainability 2025

Co-organized by Pollution Control India and The Energy Consortium IIT Madras, Summit on Sustainability will bring together leaders and innovators focused on driving impactful sustainability solutions. Climate change is no longer a distant concern; it’s a present challenge demanding collaborative solutions across sectors. With School of Sustainability as one of key knowledge partners, Summit on Sustainability 2025 is on a mission for a cleaner, greener future, creating a positive impact for generations to come.

Sustainability for Indian Businesses Executive Education Program

Registrations open till November 5, 2024.With climate-related risks and associated multi-level resource pressures posing a real threat to industry worldwide, bringing sustainability into planning and execution is an opportunity of growth for industries. Be it value-driven, compliance-driven or mandate-driven, there is a growing realization within the industrial sector in India that value can be created in facilitating sustainable pathways and reinvested towards the growth of companies and industry at large. The trade-off between sustainability and profitability, however, continues to be a hurdle and both “top-down” and “bottom-up” reforms are warranted in all the four pillars of sustainability – Mitigation, Adaptation, Recovery, and Innovation – and their effectual and just implementation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The goal of the program is to familiarize learners with the multi-dimensional nature of sustainability in connection with its real-world implications. Through communicating the existing (and upcoming) toolkit for imagining sustainable Industry Landscape in India at the backdrop of India’s changing policy frameworks, the course inculcates a systemic view into sustainability in tandem with equipping learners to ideate practical sustainable scenarios for their respective businesses.

New Partnership: National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management of MoEF&CC!

National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India has entered into an MoU with School of Sustainability and Energy Consortium IIT Madras to advance sustainable energy solutions, aligning with SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG14 (Life Below Water). Leveraging IIT Madras’s technological expertise and NCSCM’s focus on coastal and marine sustainability, this partnership targets an environmentally responsible energy transition that will aid India’s Blue Economy aspirations while protecting marine ecosystems and supporting coastal communities. Key collaboration areas identified are: Offshore Wind Energy, Deep-Sea Carbon Sequestration and Seawater-Based Cooling. This partnership brings a unique blend of technological innovation and sustainability expertise, enhancing India’s ability to implement large-scale, sustainable solutions for energy transition in coastal and offshore areas.

Carbon Zero Challenge 4.0 & Grand Expo

Carbon Zero Challenge teams showcase their cutting-edge products and prototypes at the Grand Expo. A chance to witness eco-innovations that are shaping a sustainable future! The top 5 teams from the 4th cohort of Carbon Zero Challenge (CZC 4.0) are selected and awarded seed grants of up to INR 10 Lakhs. This year’s event coincides with World Sustainability Day, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate breakthrough eco-innovative solutions! Let’s come together to encourage these brilliant minds and be part of the movement towards a sustainable future!

School of Sustainability is 1 year old!

IIT Madras's School of Sustainability has grown to become a vibrant space for capacity building, actionable research, and active stakeholder engagement in diverse domains of Sustainability. School of Sustainability's one-year journey includes launching of 3 undergraduate and executive educational programs, initiating 6 research projects, organizing 10+ national and international convenings, publishing 5+ research outputs and securing 2 industry memberships!

Industry Dialogue on ESG: Reporting Challenges and the Path Forward

ESG reporting is the disclosure of the impact of a business on environmental, social, and corporate governance and a collection of factors that can materially affect a business. As ESG reporting gains momentum in India, the regulatory framework matures. India has a range of ESG challenges, like many other developing countries, due to its population size, socioeconomic diversity, and aspirations of economic success. Yet, India has evolved a lot in the ESG space and is improving rapidly, given the strong direction set by the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Compared with leading economies and keeping in line with global trends, India fares highly in ESG disclosures and is one of the countries where reporting is mandatory instead of voluntary. The central focus of this proposed workshop is how we accelerate ESG reporting and its challenges. In the previous edition of this workshop held in Chennai on 24th May 2024, several challenges were identified by industry members representing various sectors, including automobiles, fertilizer, cement, finance and manufacturing. These include data inconsistencies and measurement accuracies to document and report key metrics, the need for ESG knowledge across the workforce, including awareness and skilling needs, and ensuring fairness across industries and sectors in comparing relevant metrics, cost of regulatory compliance as well as cost of implementing technologies to achieve net-zero.

Seminar Series: Circular Economy: Battery Reuse, Repurpose and Recycling

The ambitious e-mobility mission of the Government of India is accelerating the growth of the electric vehicles market, where the bottleneck is the risk associated with material supply. To address this, it has become essential to develop a Circular Battery ecosystem through recycling/reusing the spent batteries not only to maintain material circularity but also to mitigate the environmental impacts. It is important to have discussions on the battery management policy, reusing strategies, current recycling practices and the challenges to handle tonnes of mixed as well as complex composition of battery waste streams. This seminar will bring people from various key stakeholder industries and researchers from academia together for discussion about these issues in the circular economy of battery and identify potential research scopes and development of key enablers.𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬:• e-Mobility Roadmap of India • Battery management policy • Reuse/Repurpose strategies • Battery Aadhar • Current recycling practices and challenges • Handling complex battery waste streams • Potential research areas and development enablers

The School of Sustainability congratulates its first cohort of Sustainability for Indian Businesses!

During the month of June 2024, the Executive Education Certificate Program "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" became the platform for as many as 110 industry professionals from the diverse sectors and career levels to build confidence and competence in actioning sustainability in their respective business ecosystems. Apart from equipping with a practical scenario-building toolkit and familiarizing with India’s changing policy landscape, "Sustainability for Indian Businesses" imparted a systemic view of sustainability, they say!

Energy and Buildings Workshop

Energy and Buildings Workshop

Invited Talk: Healthy Citizens, Peaceful Societies and A Healthier Planet

Prof. Lawrence Surendra, Lund University, Sweden speaks about how interconnectedness between social and environmetal factors is crucial for a climate-resilient planet.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize India

Viksit Bharat@2047 Voice of the Youth Mini-Workshop

Floating Photovoltaics Roundtable with GIZ and MNRE

With climate change pushing the world towards sustainable and clean energy solutions, generating energy from renewable sources such as the sun and the wind has come to the forefront. Floating Photovoltaics (FPVs) have emerged as a promising option, primarily due to the fact that land is becoming increasingly scarce and land prices for solar installations are soaring in many parts of the world. Despite their potential, the widespread adoption of FPVs is fraught with a number of structural, environmental, financial and management issues. The FPV Roundtable to be held at Indian Institute of Technology Madras will be the multi-stakeholder platform to develop the shared vision for mainstreaming FPV in India.

Carbon Zero Challenge Embankment Event

Understanding Climate Change Workshops with American Center Chennai

World Zero Waste Day

Air Quality Management Lecture

In this lecture, Mr. Prashanth Kokli will delve into the key aspects of air quality management and explore effective strategies to combat air pollution. We will start by understanding the sources of air pollution, which range from vehicular emissions to industrial processes and even natural events like wildfires. Gaining insights into these sources is crucial to designing targeted interventions.Next, Prashanth will explore the adverse effects of air pollution on human health, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even cognitive impairments. Moreover, air pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, emphasizing the urgency of implementing equitable solutions.To tackle air pollution effectively, we will discuss the significance of air quality monitoring and data analysis. Accurate and real-time data is the foundation of any successful air quality management program, allowing us to identify hotspots, track trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented measures.

Earth Day

By harnessing cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with research organizations and government agencies, IIT Madras plays a pivotal role in generating valuable insights into Earth's systems and their interconnectedness. The availability of such data empowers scientists, policymakers, and communities to make informed decisions and develop sustainable solutions to global challenges.The Earth data program at IIT Madras fosters interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between different fields such as engineering, earth sciences, and environmental studies. It facilitates the development of innovative tools and models that can enhance our understanding of the Earth's dynamics, contributing to the larger goal of protecting and preserving our planet for future generations.Earth data at IIT Madras refers to the comprehensive collection, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial and environmental information pertaining to our planet. The Earth data initiative at the institute leverages advanced technologies, satellite imagery, and data analytics to study various Earth-related phenomena, including climate change, land-use patterns, water resources, and natural disasters.

Carbon Zero Challenge 2022

The "Carbon Zero Challenge" held at IIT Madras in 2022 was a groundbreaking initiative that aimed to address the pressing issue of climate change and promote sustainable practices within the campus community. Organized by a team of passionate students, faculty, and sustainability enthusiasts, the challenge sought to create innovative solutions to reduce and offset carbon emissions on the campus.Throughout the challenge, participants were encouraged to engage in comprehensive research, utilizing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to devise their solutions. The solutions not only aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also addressed issues like waste management, water conservation, and sustainable transportation on the campus.The Carbon Zero Challenge sparked a wave of enthusiasm and awareness on the IIT Madras campus, inspiring a broader commitment to sustainability among students, faculty, and staff. The collaborative and competitive nature of the event encouraged individuals to think critically and explore new avenues for reducing their carbon footprint, both personally and institutionally.