Key facts
- The 13th JSW-The Times of India Earth Care Awards celebrated sustainability champions across India.
- Awards recognized efforts in ecological restoration, water conservation, and climate resilience.
- Community-led initiatives and sustainable forest management were highlighted.
- The Young Climate Champions Programme was announced, engaging students in climate action.
- The event emphasized the economic opportunities within India's growing green economy.
The 13th JSW–The Times of India Earth Care Awards were recently held in Mumbai, celebrating sustainability as a way of life and recognizing individuals and organizations driving India's green transition. The event highlighted initiatives in ecological restoration, water conservation, and climate resilience, emphasizing the impact of community-led actions and sustainable resource management.
Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, in her keynote, framed climate change as a challenge that presents opportunities through ideas, actions, and collaborations. The awards platform, established in 2008 by JSW Foundation Chairperson Sangita Jindal, aims to honor green innovations across industries, NGOs, and grassroots organizations.
A panel discussion featuring jury members like Ajay Mathur and Soumya Swaminathan reflected on the evolving landscape of climate action in India, noting the increasing involvement of young people, women leaders, and grassroots innovators. They also pointed to the significant economic opportunities emerging from sustainability, including renewable energy and electric mobility, suggesting India's transition is already reshaping industries and fostering growth.
The second edition of the Young Climate Champions (YCC) Programme was announced, aiming to engage students through workshops. Several individuals and institutions were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in areas such as air quality, biodiversity, clean energy, environmental education, water stewardship, waste management, and climate-resilient campuses.
Discussions also touched upon the need for stronger institutional and industry participation to scale climate initiatives. Jury members highlighted that the climate sector faces challenges in awareness, coordination, and scale rather than funding, emphasizing the need for effective resource channeling. The economic benefits of climate action were underscored, with projections of significant investment opportunities, GDP contribution, and job creation in India's green economy.