Newsletter (November-December 2023)
Our newsletter provides updates on our programs, and fellow Climate Reality Leaders who are making a difference. It carries a gamut of activities carried out in two months' time, showing how each one of us can act to solve the crisis together. We would love to hear from you, your story and acts of leadership in the journey of sustainability. Every action matters!
Jal Utsav Celebration in Gujarat
The Climate Project Foundation participated in the inaugural edition of “Jal Utsav,” in Amreli, Gujarat. Jal Utsav, an initiative of the Dholakia Foundation is a festival celebrating water resources and their meaningful impact on people's lives. Mr. Bhavesh Swami represented TCPF in this three-day event, which included a state-level function inaugurated by the Governor Sh. Acharya Devavrat and the Chief Minister, unveiling water bodies, and announcing the first Jal Utsav, open to the public. The second day involved field visits and interactions with villagers, showcasing how interventions have positively influenced their livelihoods through improved agriculture and horticulture practices. The final day was dedicated to round table discussion summing up experiences from the field and how more collaborations can be forged with each other.
Nurturing Climate Actioneers at
Laxmibai College
A panel Discussion on "Sustainability Dialogue: Nurturing Climate Actioneers" was conducted at Laxmibai College Campus, wherein the panelists shared their views about sustainability, climate change, and the youth's role. The audience included students and faculty from various departments.
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Mr. Anand Pendharkar (Climate Leader) discussed his book on "Climate Actioneers" and introduced concepts like the Urban Heat Island effect, climate change, mass transportation, urbanization, and carbon sequestration. He emphasized finding solutions by connecting with the local community.
While highlighting the alarming global warming, Mr. Bhavesh Swami talked about TCPF's works, highlighting their efforts in everyday sustainability in water, waste, air, biodiversity, and energy management and the emerging domains of green jobs, capturing the attention of students interested in opportunities like EVs, solar, water, and cleantech.
Meeting with the Director & Officials of Education Directorate, Ministry of Kashmir
An online meeting with the Director & Officials of the Education Directorate was conducted, which aimed at looking up at the 10 Districts of Kashmir for implementing Green Campus Programme. Ms. Rekha Lalla introduced The Climate Project Foundation and presented the GCP, outlining steps for its implementation in Kashmir. The initial phase involves conducting workshops in all 10 districts to provide a program preview. The officials expressed keen interest in the program and assured full support in the implementation process.
Principals’ Conclave in Odisha
In line with SDG4.7, we organized Principals’ Conclave in Odisha in association with ODM Educational Group & the Sahodaya Schools. The Conclave commenced with an introduction by Shri Bipin Sahoo, Principal, DAV, Pokhariput, Dy. Sec, Sahodaya Schools Complex, Bhubaneswar Chapter, setting the tone. Chief Guest, Shri Gaurav, Scientist In-charge, Regional Museum of Natural History, stressed population control and tree plantation to combat the climate crisis.
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Mr. Aditya Pundir, Director – India & South Asia, The Climate Project Foundation, highlighted the planet's plight due to the climate crisis, using examples from Odisha. Ms. Rekha Lalla discussed the Green Campus Program, showcasing successful implementations across 14+ states in India. Keynote speaker Dr. S.N Patro, Odisha Environment Society, emphasized awareness about climate change and collective human responsibility. Mr. Prafulla Dhal, National Coordinator - Climate Disaster and Livelihood, underlined why Odisha needs green campuses.
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The Principals’ Conclave, attended by school and college leaders, was an interactive session focusing on actionable takeaways
and experiential learning promotes a healthy educational relationship between educators, students, parents, and communities. The conclave fared well and gave us a roadmap to implement Green Campus program in Odisha.
GCP Awards Received by Winning Schools
Climate change & sustainability education is the long-term solution to the climate crisis. The educational institutions that made through the audit process and qualified for Green Campus Program award have received the same delivered at their addresses. The institutions were thrilled and elated to achieve it. Here is a glimpse of the winning institutions holding the plaques and certificates.
Teachers’ Training Program for
Symbiosis Institute of Technology in Lavale, Pune
An online Teachers’ Training Program was conducted for the faculty members and the students of the Symbiosis Institute of Technology (SIT), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra as a part of our Green Campus Program.
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The session started with introduction of all the faculty members from the institute and their area of expertise. While Mr. Bhavesh Swami, discussed about the Science, Impact and Solutions on the Climate change crisis along with the renewable energy projects in the country, such as Wind power plant in Alibaug, Dr. Amruta Deshmukh explained the necessity of Climate action by higher Education Institutions and student community. She explained about the objectives and advocated the alignment of the Green Campus Program with UGC & NAAC norms.
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Dr. Deshmukh also explained about the program background, reach, thrust areas focused under the program, resources provided to the institute and steps for effective implementation. She also explained about the roadmap, benefits to the HEI’s and how the program needs to be implemented. She emphasised on how participation of HEI’s and Young generation is important to achieve the target of Net Zero.
Teachers’ Training Program for
Deccan College Post Graduate and
Research Institute, Pune
Teachers’ Training Program on “Climate Education and Green Campuses for Safer Planet” was conducted online for the Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra. The workshop was organized for the faculty members and a few post-graduate and undergraduate students at Deccan College as a part of The Green Campus Program (GCP).
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Mr. Aditya Pundir, Director, The Climate Project Foundation discussed about the science behind climate change, impacts caused by it on various aspects such as health, water, food supply and infrastructure and viable solutions at hand and how the scenario is changing with respect to renewable energy in India.
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Dr. Amruta Deshmukh introduced the need of climate action and the Green Campus Program for Higher Education Institutions and showed its alignment with UGC & NAAC along with its 5 thrust areas and way forward, participation of HEI’s and Young generation is important to achieve the target of Net Zero.
Visit to 8 HEIs of Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
We planned a 5-day visit to the 8 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana to promote the Green Campus program.
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Below are the names of the HEI, we visited.
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Government College, Ropar, Punjab
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ICFAI University, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh
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Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh
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S D College, Chandigarh, Punjab
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NITTTR, Chandigarh, Punjab
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S D College, Ambala, Haryana
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GMN College, Ambala, Haryana
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Rayat Bahra University, Kharar, Punjab
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The objective of the visit was to work out opportunities to collaborate for a sustainable & green future. Dr. Pooja Chopra, Climate Reality Leader, and Mr. Bhavesh Swami from TCPF & met with the higher authorities of the institutions. The institutions have shown their interest in signing MoU with TCPF to start their journey towards Net Zero & Carbon Neutrality.