Kolkata, September 2, 2026: Ahead of the second edition of Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) in February 2027, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, and Project Mumbai have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen institutional coordination and support greater government participation in the city’s climate action dialogue.

Mumbai Climate Week will be held from February 23-26 at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai, India.
Under the MoU, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, will serve as the nodal partner agency of the Government of Maharashtra for MCW 2027. As a knowledge partner, the Department will support Project Mumbai in hosting the second edition of the climate platform and facilitate coordination with relevant government departments and agencies. The Department will facilitate time-bound coordination and meetings between MCW 2027 theme leads and relevant Ministries, Commissioners and Secretaries of the Government of Maharashtra, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

A key focus of the partnership will be to build a stronger connection between the conversations and thematic work emerging from MCW 2027—particularly around urban resilience, food systems, energy transition, biodiversity, and circularity—and the government institutions working on the ground. MCW will also explore climate and its intersections with literature, food, sports, cinema and healthcare.

Commenting on the partnership, Smt. Pankaja Munde, Minister of Environment & Climate Change, Maharashtra, said, “The Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra, is delighted to partner with Project Mumbai for Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) 2027. MCW 2027 will serve as a significant platform bringing together governments, businesses, civil society, experts and citizens to advance meaningful climate action and strengthen the resilience of Maharashtra and India. Building on the momentum of the previous edition, the partnership aims to further strengthen climate leadership and make MCW 2027 an even more impactful platform for climate collaboration and sustainable urban development. The Department looks forward to working with Project Mumbai and all stakeholders towards advancing meaningful climate action, strengthening climate resilience and fostering a sustainable future.”

Emphasising the significance of the partnership in advancing actionable climate solutions, Shishir Joshi, CEO and Founder, Project Mumbai & Chief Convenor of Mumbai Climate Week, said, “Project Mumbai is honoured to have the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, as our knowledge partner. Together, we can ensure that the conversations at MCW 2027 translate into ideas, partnerships and solutions that have a lasting impact.”

As climate change increasingly intersects with the way Mumbai plans its infrastructure, mobility, water, waste management, energy and urban resilience, MCW 2027 will provide a platform for government, business, civil society, academia and the wider climate ecosystem to come together around these challenges.

The MoU further strengthens the institutional framework supporting MCW 2027 and reflects a shared commitment to creating greater alignment between Mumbai’s climate-action ecosystem and the Government of Maharashtra.

The two-day conference, themed “Sustainability Education for Transformative Action,” will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, development practitioners, industry leaders and young changemakers to examine how education can move beyond awareness and knowledge to build the skills, leadership and capacities needed for systems thinking, innovation and collective action, for accelerating meaningful action on the SDGs.

“The road to 2030 is a race against time. Progress on every SDG depends, in some way, on education on what people learn, the skills they develop and how that knowledge is translated into action. ICSE 2026 seeks to move the conversation beyond awareness and intent towards practical, measurable and scalable solutions,” said Pradip Burman, Chairman, Mobius Foundation.

Since its inception in 2019, ICSE has evolved into a platform for dialogue and collaboration on Education for Sustainable Development, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors and countries.

Leading voices across sustainability, education and development

The conference will feature 10-12 eminent voices from across environmental action, education, policy, development, industry and civil society, reflecting the breadth of sustainability challenges that require an education-led response.

Opening addresses will be delivered by Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment; Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; and Kartikeya Sarabhai, Founder Director, Centre for Environment Education, alongside the leadership of Mobius Foundation.

Also participating in the deliberations will be Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India; Dr. Radhika Khosla, University of Oxford; Ms. Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India; Mr. Arpit Sharma, CEO, Skill Council for Green Jobs; Mr. Pranshu Singhal, Founder and Director, Karo Sambhav; Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, Agriculture Extension, ICAR; Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan, Padma Shri Awardee; Ms. Harshika Singh, IAS, Government of Madhya Pradesh; and Mr. Ashok Khosla, Founder and President, Development Alternatives, among other distinguished speakers from around the globe.

Together, these voices will bring perspectives from classrooms and universities to government, industry, grassroots organisations and communities reflecting the conference’s central proposition that sustainability education must connect knowledge with real-world action.

Across ten plenary sessions, ICSE 2026 will examine some of the most pressing sustainability and development challenges confronting India and the world today, including:

• Green Economy, Green Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation : building the skills and education pathways required for emerging green careers and enterprises;
• Sustainable Innovation at Scale : connecting research, technology and education with solutions that can move from laboratories to communities and markets;
• Recycling and Critical Minerals : understanding the role of circularity, resource efficiency and new skills in the evolving green economy;
• Sustainable Agriculture and Just Rural Transition : strengthening education and knowledge systems that can support farmers and rural communities in responding to changing environmental and economic conditions;
• Population Stabilisation and Health Systems : examining how government, philanthropy and civil society can work together to strengthen family planning and reproductive health outcomes;
• Women as Climate Change Makers : exploring the role of women’s education, leadership and participation in driving climate action;
• Youth and Climate Action : recognising young people not simply as beneficiaries of sustainability education, but as creators of solutions through the Youth for Earth (Y4E) Conclave and Awards; and
• Environmental Education and Global Cooperation : examining how environmental education can support transformative action across communities, institutions and countries. 

Why Sustainability Education Matters Now

With the need to accelerate India’s and the global energy transition, strengthen food security and health outcomes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the natural ecological balance, healthy ecosystems and sustainable food sources, the challenge is no longer only about creating awareness of sustainability. It is about building the knowledge, skills, institutions and leadership needed to translate these priorities into action. From preparing young people for green jobs and supporting communities in responding to climate variability, to strengthening circular economy skills, reducing emissions and enabling informed decisions that can help address extreme weather events, education increasingly sits at the intersection of interconnected environmental, economic and social challenges.

ICSE 2026 will therefore focus on the shift from “knowing” to “doing”, showcasing experiences, examining what has worked, identifying gaps and exploring how successful approaches can be scaled through partnerships between government, academia, civil society and industry.

“Sustainability education cannot remain confined to classrooms or conference halls,” said Priyanka Sharma, President & CEO, Mobius Foundation. “It has to become an enabler of the green economy building pathways for green careers and entrepreneurship, fostering green innovation at scale, and shaping decisions that contribute to a sustainable future. This requires engaging across the entire education continuum, from schools and undergraduate education to postgraduate, professional, technical and vocational learning, with a stronger focus on environment and sustainability. ICSE has grown into a platform where these conversations can move beyond panels and into partnerships, innovation and action.”

The conference will conclude with the presentation and formal adoption of recommendations emerging from the two-day discussions, providing a framework for further policy and institutional engagement.

To register for the conference visit https://icse-esd.org/icse-2026-registration/

The two-day conference, themed “Sustainability Education for Transformative Action,” will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, development practitioners, industry leaders and young changemakers to examine how education can move beyond awareness and knowledge to build the skills, leadership and capacities needed for systems thinking, innovation and collective action, for accelerating meaningful action on the SDGs.

“The road to 2030 is a race against time. Progress on every SDG depends, in some way, on education on what people learn, the skills they develop and how that knowledge is translated into action. ICSE 2026 seeks to move the conversation beyond awareness and intent towards practical, measurable and scalable solutions,” said Pradip Burman, Chairman, Mobius Foundation.

Since its inception in 2019, ICSE has evolved into a platform for dialogue and collaboration on Education for Sustainable Development, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors and countries.

Leading voices across sustainability, education and development

The conference will feature 10-12 eminent voices from across environmental action, education, policy, development, industry and civil society, reflecting the breadth of sustainability challenges that require an education-led response.

Opening addresses will be delivered by Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment; Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; and Kartikeya Sarabhai, Founder Director, Centre for Environment Education, alongside the leadership of Mobius Foundation.

Also participating in the deliberations will be Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India; Dr. Radhika Khosla, University of Oxford; Ms. Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India; Mr. Arpit Sharma, CEO, Skill Council for Green Jobs; Mr. Pranshu Singhal, Founder and Director, Karo Sambhav; Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, Agriculture Extension, ICAR; Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan, Padma Shri Awardee; Ms. Harshika Singh, IAS, Government of Madhya Pradesh; and Mr. Ashok Khosla, Founder and President, Development Alternatives, among other distinguished speakers from around the globe.

Together, these voices will bring perspectives from classrooms and universities to government, industry, grassroots organisations and communities reflecting the conference’s central proposition that sustainability education must connect knowledge with real-world action.

Across ten plenary sessions, ICSE 2026 will examine some of the most pressing sustainability and development challenges confronting India and the world today, including:

• Green Economy, Green Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation : building the skills and education pathways required for emerging green careers and enterprises;
• Sustainable Innovation at Scale : connecting research, technology and education with solutions that can move from laboratories to communities and markets;
• Recycling and Critical Minerals : understanding the role of circularity, resource efficiency and new skills in the evolving green economy;
• Sustainable Agriculture and Just Rural Transition : strengthening education and knowledge systems that can support farmers and rural communities in responding to changing environmental and economic conditions;
• Population Stabilisation and Health Systems : examining how government, philanthropy and civil society can work together to strengthen family planning and reproductive health outcomes;
• Women as Climate Change Makers : exploring the role of women’s education, leadership and participation in driving climate action;
• Youth and Climate Action : recognising young people not simply as beneficiaries of sustainability education, but as creators of solutions through the Youth for Earth (Y4E) Conclave and Awards; and
• Environmental Education and Global Cooperation : examining how environmental education can support transformative action across communities, institutions and countries. 

Why Sustainability Education Matters Now

With the need to accelerate India’s and the global energy transition, strengthen food security and health outcomes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the natural ecological balance, healthy ecosystems and sustainable food sources, the challenge is no longer only about creating awareness of sustainability. It is about building the knowledge, skills, institutions and leadership needed to translate these priorities into action. From preparing young people for green jobs and supporting communities in responding to climate variability, to strengthening circular economy skills, reducing emissions and enabling informed decisions that can help address extreme weather events, education increasingly sits at the intersection of interconnected environmental, economic and social challenges.

ICSE 2026 will therefore focus on the shift from “knowing” to “doing”, showcasing experiences, examining what has worked, identifying gaps and exploring how successful approaches can be scaled through partnerships between government, academia, civil society and industry.

“Sustainability education cannot remain confined to classrooms or conference halls,” said Priyanka Sharma, President & CEO, Mobius Foundation. “It has to become an enabler of the green economy building pathways for green careers and entrepreneurship, fostering green innovation at scale, and shaping decisions that contribute to a sustainable future. This requires engaging across the entire education continuum, from schools and undergraduate education to postgraduate, professional, technical and vocational learning, with a stronger focus on environment and sustainability. ICSE has grown into a platform where these conversations can move beyond panels and into partnerships, innovation and action.”

The conference will conclude with the presentation and formal adoption of recommendations emerging from the two-day discussions, providing a framework for further policy and institutional engagement.

To register for the conference visit https://icse-esd.org/icse-2026-registration/

As part of the initiative, participants explored a diverse range of ecological sites, including the Godrej Mangrove Park in Vikhroli, Maharashtra Nature Park in Dharavi, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan & Zoo in Byculla, and ecological corridors across Chena Village, Yeur Bhendi Naala, and the Bhandup Pumping Station. These engagements offered insights into urban biodiversity, wetland ecosystems, climate resilience, and the role of natural infrastructure in shaping cities.

The programme also included interactions with circular economy and waste management practices through waste segregation and paper recycling initiatives in Chembur and Thane. Complementing these were on-ground activities such as a tree plantation drive at the Miyawaki Garden in Powai, a clean-up drive in Kharghar, and a mangrove clean-up activity at Sarsole Jetty in Nerul.

Collectively, the 15 initiatives provided students with a well-rounded understanding of contemporary environmental concerns and responses, spanning urban ecology, coastal and mangrove systems, biodiversity conservation, and community-led action. By linking classroom learning with real-world contexts, the programme encouraged participants to view design education as something shaped equally by observation, engagement, and experience.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Prof. Anand Achari, Principal, VESCOA, said, “At VESCOA, we believe the best learning happens when theory meets practice. This initiative was designed to encourage participants to engage directly with the spaces, communities, and systems that shape our cities. We are glad to have been able to facilitate such experiences, as they help build a deeper understanding of the responsibilities involved in shaping the built environment.”

VESCOA, one of the largest architecture colleges under Vivekanand Education Society (VES), continues to advance a pedagogy rooted in experiential and context-driven learning. The institution remains focused on shaping future-ready architects equipped to respond to evolving urban realities.

Marks International Biodiversity Day 2026 with ecological restoration, awareness programs and marine biodiversity engagement

Mumbai, 20th January 2026: Animal welfare in India sits at the intersection of public health, climate resilience, livelihoods, and sustainable development yet it continues to receive just 1.5% of corporate CSR funding. At a time when the country is rethinking how development is funded and delivered, the India Animal Welfare Forum (IAWF) will bring together the people shaping the future of this under-supported sector. Scheduled for 31st January 2026 in Mumbai, IAWF is a first-of-its-kind national convening designed to strengthen animal welfare as a serious, strategic development priority. The Forum will gather philanthropists, NGOs, researchers, policymakers, technologists, movement builders and media in one room, many of whom rarely intersect, creating space for shared learning, honest conversations, and long-term collaboration.

Hosted by the Upadhyaya Foundation, IAWF goes beyond discussion to focus on action. It will mark the launch of the INR 13 Crore India Animal Welfare Funding Circle, a collective of philanthropists supporting initiatives across the country.  The Forum will spotlight high-impact models, emerging research, and practical solutions across the animal welfare spectrum, from community animals and farmed animals to wildlife conservation, human-wildlife coexistence, and policy reform. Participants will engage with evidence-backed approaches, innovative funding mechanisms, and scalable interventions that have the potential to transform how animal welfare is supported in India.

“Animals, like us, are children nurtured by mother Earth. Societal progress is incomplete without the shared wellbeing of all our sentient siblings. Animal welfare is not an isolated charity; it is a critical pillar of holistic growth that dictates how our cities breathe, how our ecosystems function, and how our communities find balance.” said Brinda Upadhyaya, Co-founder of Upadhyaya Foundation. “The India Animal Welfare Forum is designed to bridge the gaps between funders and practitioners, data and narrative ensuring that our path forward is inclusive of every life, moving us toward a future of clarity, confidence, and collective strength.”

The Forum’s agenda reflects the diversity and complexity of the sector. Parallel tracks will explore wildlife and habitat loss, farmed animal welfare, coexistence models, technology and AI applications, public narratives, reptile conservation, and recent legal developments shaping animal welfare governance, including a session on Supreme Court directives on street dogs in Delhi. Together, these conversations aim to provide a comprehensive view of both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.

“In India, where animal welfare faces layered challenges from stray overpopulation and urban cruelty to wildlife poaching, bringing NGOs, funders, researchers, and veterinary institutions onto a single platform is critical,” said Mr. Nawshir Mirza, Trustee of FIAPO (Federation of India Animal Protection Organisations) and Mentor of AMTM (Animal Matter To Me). “Such collaboration bridges gaps between grassroots realities and data-driven solutions, enables funders to direct resources more effectively, and encourages innovation in areas like disease control, sterilisation, and emergency care. A unified forum also reduces duplication, strengthens advocacy for laws such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and amplifies public awareness accelerating progress toward humane policies and sustainable conservation amid rapid urbanisation”, he added. 

By convening diverse stakeholders and amplifying underrepresented perspectives, the India Animal Welfare Forum seeks to shift animal welfare from the margins of philanthropy to its mainstream by encouraging more informed, intentional, and sustained investment of multiple formats in the sector.

This esteemed recognition underscores the AGPL’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and responsible infrastructure development. The Port has consistently adopted innovative green practices, energy-efficient technologies, and community-driven environmental programs to minimize ecological impact and promote responsible growth.

Over the past three years, AGPL has received six national awards for environmental excellence, reaffirming its position as a leading contributor to environmental development and sustainable operations in the maritime sector. These initiatives reflect AGPL’s commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and more efficient port ecosystem—strengthening its vision of shared progress and long-term well-being.

Key sustainability initiatives at AGPL include:

• Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Facilities for real-time compliance with air quality standards.
• Mechanised Cargo Handling Systems to reduce dust emissions and improve operational efficiency.
• Integrated Truck Tarpaulin Covering Facilities to prevent spillage and minimize environmental impact during cargo movement.
• Mechanised Road Cleaning Solutions to maintain clean, dust-free port roads, enhancing air quality and worker safety.

Speaking on the occasion, Adani Gangavaram Port Limited Management said, This award recognition reflects our entire team’s dedication and hard work in ensuring that our operations are conducted with the utmost respect for the environment. We remain committed to continuously improving our environmental performance and setting new benchmarks for sustainable port operations in India.

Mumbai, October 16, 2025: Cosmo Foundation, the community outreach arm of Cosmo First Ltd., in a significant display of its commitment to climate action, has launched a large-scale “Miyawaki & Fruit Bearing Forestry” plantation drive in collaboration with the 25 Battalion Border Security Force (BSF) at its Chhawla campus in New Delhi. The initiative marks yet another major milestone in creating an extensive green cover within the BSF campus, strengthening Cosmo Foundation’s continued dedication to environmental sustainability.

Every day, I get up, and the first thing on my mind is how AI changed the world while I was asleep. Companies and governments are very aggressive when it comes to AI usage. Artificial intelligence is changing how industries operate, how people interact with technology & even how economies grow. The scale of adoption is remarkable, but so is the energy behind it. Training robust AI systems demands enormous computing resources & running them every day adds another layer of energy use. This has started to raise a difficult but important question—what is the real carbon footprint of AI & can it be managed in line with global climate goals?

The scale of the problem

Building AI models is not a small task. Large language models and deep learning systems need weeks of training on hundreds or even thousands of processors. Studies have shown that developing one of the biggest models today can release carbon emissions equal to those produced by several cars over their lifetime.

And training is only the start. Once the model is ready, it needs to be deployed. Billions of queries, conversations, or searches are processed every day. Each interaction on its own might use little energy, but when multiplied at scale, the demand is huge. Add to that the cooling required in data centres & the footprint becomes even more serious.

Why businesses should care

The carbon impact of AI is not just a technical side issue. It cuts across regulation, cost, reputation & strategy. Governments are moving quickly to make emissions disclosure mandatory. The EU’s new reporting rules are a clear signal of where things are heading.

Investors also want more transparency. They expect companies to demonstrate that innovation and sustainability can coexist. For customers, there is a risk of mistrust if a company promotes its green credentials but runs highly energy-intensive AI systems without addressing the impact.

There is also the cost factor. Energy prices are rising & inefficient AI workloads are not only unsustainable for the environment but expensive to maintain over time.

What companies are doing about it

The organizations are inclined to use more specialized models to get results, and they are ditching the bigger models with less efficacy.

Lighter, more specialised models can deliver good results without the same energy drain. Research into pruning and optimisation is opening new ways to reduce computational needs.

Cloud providers are investing heavily in renewable power for their data centres. Solar, wind & hydropower are being integrated to run AI workloads more cleanly. Hardware innovation is also moving forward—better chips, liquid cooling systems & improved energy management are all making a difference.

For businesses that depend on AI services, choosing partners and vendors with strong renewable commitments is starting to become part of procurement and vendor selection.

What leaders should keep in mind

Here, it helps to think in simple terms. The following points are shaping how executives respond:

• Sustainability cannot be separate from digital strategy. AI adoption must sit inside the broader climate agenda.
• Governance needs cross-functional input. CIOs, CFOs & sustainability leads should work together rather than in silos.
• Transparent reporting builds trust. Showing the emissions linked to AI use signals accountability.
• Efficiency can be a source of advantage. Offering or using greener AI services may become a point of differentiation.

The paradox of AI and sustainability

There is also an irony here. While AI has its own carbon costs, it can also be a tool to help reduce emissions elsewhere. AI systems are already being used to optimise supply chains, improve energy grid management & support precision agriculture. All of these applications can drive measurable sustainability gains.

This creates a balancing act. The challenge is not to stop using AI but to ensure that the value it creates for sustainability outweighs the emissions it generates. That means being selective, thoughtful & transparent about how AI is applied.

Looking ahead

The demand for AI will keep growing. Generative models, automation & real-time analytics are moving into more industries & with them, the energy required to support this technology will also rise. The key is not to slow down innovation but to scale it responsibly.

Companies that act early will be better prepared. Those who invest in greener AI infrastructure, in renewable energy sourcing & in transparent disclosures will find it easier to navigate future regulation and investor scrutiny. They will also gain credibility in markets where sustainability is a major concern.

Final thought

AI has incredible potential, but the environmental impact cannot be ignored. The carbon footprint of AI is now a strategic issue. While we struggle to keep the carbon emissions down, we also want to excel in the AI race.

It’s peculiar to see how the West is responding to this threat. While they have been very vocal about the carbon emissions through industrialization in developing countries, they are almost quiet on AI-emitted/caused carbon.

Leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate that technology and climate responsibility can progress in tandem. The ones who succeed will not only manage risks but also set themselves apart as real innovators in the next phase of sustainable growth.