Bengaluru recently hosted an important roundtable discussion about climate change. The Centre for Management Communication (CenComm) at IIM Bangalore teamed up with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) for this event on February 19, 2025. The focus? How local policies can effectively support the global climate agenda, especially following CEE’s latest report on Karnataka’s State Action Plan on Climate Change.
As our world’s climate risks grow, clear communication and effective implementation of these policies at the community level are more important than ever. The roundtable featured a panel of experts dedicated to advancing climate justice through local actionable steps.
Dr. Deepti Ganapathy, Chairperson of CenComm, and Rejini Simpson from CEE led the discussion. They emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to connect grand global strategies with local actions. This collaboration is essential to building climate resilience in communities.
Judith Weinberger-Singh from the Hanns Seidel Foundation India spoke about the importance of partnerships in climate action. She shared insights from the European Union, highlighting successful initiatives like the European Green Deal. Judith called for cooperation among diverse stakeholders—academics, businesses, governments, and community members—to tackle environmental challenges.
Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, shared his experiences during last year’s water crisis in Bengaluru. He pointed out how climate change especially affects the urban poor and called for immediate action to manage water resources sustainably. He encouraged grassroots collaboration to solve issues like groundwater depletion, viewing challenges as opportunities for innovative solutions.
Srinivasa C. K. from Toyota Kirloskar Motor added a business perspective. He discussed the automotive industry’s role in combating climate change, stating that energy production is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Srinivasa highlighted Toyota’s commitment to creating electric and hybrid vehicles, promoting recycling, and water sustainability. He stressed the need for collaboration between businesses, governments, and communities to make a significant impact.
Dhenuka Srinivasan, Environment & Sustainability Manager at ABB India, spoke about integrating sustainability into business practices. She emphasized the crucial role of public-private partnerships and early climate education to foster positive change. Dhenuka urged students to take on the mantle of leadership in fighting climate change, inspiring the audience with the idea that everyone can make a difference.
The event attracted a diverse crowd, including students from institutions like Christ University and S P Jain, along with professionals from major consulting firms. For those who couldn’t attend in person, the discussion was live-streamed on YouTube, expanding its reach to more viewers interested in sustainable policies and climate resilience.
This roundtable highlighted the urgent need to turn policy into action. CenComm and CEE are committed to building partnerships that can lead to long-term solutions for our planet’s health.
