Indian Universities Drive Sustainability from Pledges to Real Impact

Following COP30 in Brazil, higher education institutions in India are translating the articulation of sustainability into reality. The new learning environment, curriculum, and engaging industry partnerships are accelerating the country’s move towards a low-carbon economy.

Curriculum and Policy Reforms

Sustainability is now a "collective vision" in the National Education Policy 2020 guidelines established by the University Grants Commission in the last thirty-two months, shifting it "from optional modules to mandatory interdisciplinary courses incorporating climate science, policy, and project implementation." The Life missions have translated sustainability into reality in campuses related to energy, water, waste, and mobility. "Leading lights," including IITs, TERI School of Advanced Studies, and Azim Premji University, have incorporated specialized courses in green hydrogen, climate finance, resilient agriculture, and circular economies.

Campus Innovations Lead the Way Major green transformations: Green campuses are bordering on Mega solar power stations producing megawatts of green energy; smart resource management through IoT technology; a zero waste system with biogas production plants and composite-units for making compost; and rainwater conservation systems with a focus on ensuring water sustainability. 

The LiveGreen@Ashoka initiative in Ashoka University has a 0.9 MW capacity in solar power generation, 1,664 indigenous trees planted to support biodiversity, and work in the area of electric mobility. In the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham institution, 80% water is recycled; "plastic-free campuses" are in practice; and students take active lead roles in conducting "carbon audits" in villages. Other exemplary project work involves solutions in operating "E-buses", 'Footpath-Cowpath designs', and "Regional Climate Problems in Flood Resilient Agriculture labs".​ Global Rankings & Industry Synergies Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2025 is bright with a shining "Sparkling India", where four campuses are among the global Top 100 Institutions making an impact in achieving SDG Targets: "On an equal pedestal with these were Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, 41; Lovely Professional University, 48; JSS Academy of Higher Education; and Shoolini University." Collaborations with industries light up a burning need for "State-of-the-art research in Electric Vehicles, Carbon Sequestration, or Green Supply Chains to make available Indian talent in achieving Net-Zero targets in 2070."​ 

Such campuses function as "replicable models despite setbacks of faculty shortages in a particular area of research and sometimes in acceptance in villages with increased pressure in climate situations. Their campuses manifest a 'Future-ready, Green-ready' and green-minded "India among nations with a green mindset in carrying a seamless interface among academia, governance, and implementation for a Green Tomorrow."