MET Institute of Management, in collaboration with the ATAL (AICTE Training and Learning) initiative, inaugurated a six-day online Faculty Development Program (FDP) on "Holistic Sustainability Strategies for India in Energy, Water, and Climate Change" on December 16, 2024. The program was aimed to address critical sustainability issues while equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to drive impactful change. 119 participants registered, reflecting the growing interest in sustainability-focused initiatives. Dr. Sagar Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, MET IOM and Dr. Rashmi Bhadani, Assistant Professor, MET IOM are the Coordinator and Co-Coordinator respectively for this FDP.

The inaugural day featured two insightful sessions by distinguished speakers. Dr. Swati Lodha, Director of MET IOM, delivered the first session on "Sustainability Challenges and Solutions in India Around Energy, Water, and Climate Change." She discussed the four pillars of sustainable development - Economic, Environmental, Social, and Cultural Sustainability - emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to ensure long-term sustainability.

The second session was led by Dr. Pooran Chandra Pandey, Advisor at UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab, Paris, on "Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving SDGs by 2030." Dr. Pandey provided a comprehensive overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting challenges in resource mobilization, policy coherence, and cross-sector collaboration.

On Day 2, Dr. Subramanya Kusnur, Founder Chairman & CEO of AquaKraft Ventures, delivered a session on the topic “Water Credit System: Financing Access to Clean Water for Sustainable Development.” He introduced the innovative concept of the world’s first water coin exchange, explaining how blockchain technology enables fractional ownership in water infrastructure.

Ms. Garima Jindal, an ecopreneur and Business Development Manager at The Recycling Company, delivered an insightful session on “Shaping India’s E-Waste Management.” She addressed the challenges of e-waste in India, emphasizing its environmental and health risks, and discussed sustainable practices like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

On Day 3 two distinguished speakers shared their expertise on sustainability and energy innovation. Mr. Anuj Duggal, Advisor to NASSCOM and Sustainability Expert, delivered a session on the “ESG Framework and Sustainability Policies.” He discussed key ESG themes, linking environmental, social, and governance factors with traditional financial performance indicators for a holistic view of corporate health.

Dr. Totappa Hasarmani, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Savitribai Phule Pune University, presented on “Hybridization of Renewable Energy Resources for Sustainable Business Enterprises.” He showcased his research on energy-efficient jaggery units designed to meet combined heat and power (CHP) requirements, reduce GHG emissions, and safeguard the environment.

The participants gained valuable insights into integrating ESG frameworks, renewable energy solutions, and innovative approaches to sustainability challenges in India.

On Day 4, Mr. Abhinay Lakhmapure, Senior Manager of ERP Compliances, The Shakti Plastic Industries, delivered an engaging talk on "Rethinking Plastic: A Path Toward Sustainable Solutions." His session emphasized the importance of waste-to-value approaches, focusing on the potential of recycled plastic products for a sustainable future.

In the session, "Carbon Neutral Cities: Designing the Future of Urban Sustainability," Mr. Kumar Rajesh, Director, ENVFY Service Pvt. Ltd., explored strategies for creating carbon-neutral cities. He discussed the critical issues of carbon footprints, global warming, and climate change, and elaborated on carbon offset management techniques as a means to mitigate climate impacts.

At the end of the session, participants gained valuable insights into sustainable solutions for plastic waste management and strategies for designing carbon-neutral cities to mitigate climate change and promote urban sustainability.

On Day 5 the sessions were led by two distinguished experts: Mr. ALN Rao, Head of Electronics Circularity, Recykle, and Dr. Pratyush Panda, CEO, OneStage and MD, Collaborative Philanthropy Foundation.

Mr. ALN Rao delivered an insightful session on "Innovating Energy Solutions for a Sustainable World," emphasizing the role of renewable technologies and efficient resource utilization in achieving sustainability. Drawing from his expertise, he highlighted actionable strategies to minimize electronic waste and promote a circular economy, bridging the gap between technological innovation and environmental conservation.

Dr. Pratyush Panda presented a session on "Integrating CSR into Sustainability," exploring the synergy between corporate goals and sustainable development. He shared practical examples of CSR initiatives that drive social impact while supporting environmental stewardship. His session inspired participants to align corporate actions with global sustainability objectives, reinforcing the importance of ESG principles in today’s business landscape.

Day 6 Ms. Shalini Goyal Bhalla, Managing Director of the International Council for Circular Economy, shared insights on transitioning from linear to circular economic models, emphasizing reducing, reusing, and recycling. Meanwhile, Ms. Lenny Yusrini, Co-Director of Southeast Asia Research Academy, discussed sustainable tourism strategies that balance economic growth with ecological preservation.

Participants collaborated on real-world challenges, presenting innovative solutions for issues like renewable energy for SMEs, climate-resilient farming, and reducing air pollution, showcasing the program’s focus on actionable sustainability.

Tags: MET Institute of Management