Chanakya Centre for Sustainability
The Chanakya Centre for Sustainability aims to be a leading centre in India for research and education in sustainable development, fostering innovation, and empowering communities to create a resilient and equitable future for all. It aspires to guide policy and empower communities toward a sustainable future by bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and actionable knowledge.
The centre prioritizes innovative research and policy development to create practical solutions influencing sustainability policies. The centre aims to develop comprehensive academic programs on sustainability. It also focuses on knowledge dissemination and stakeholder engagement by sharing researched knowledge through seminars, workshops, and publications and collaborating with governments and industries to shape sustainable policies and support startups.
The Centre focuses on four core areas
Advisory Committee
Prof. Trilochan Sastry
Member
Professor, IIM
Prof. John Clammer
Member
Professor, O P Jindal Global
Sri Prakash Belawadi
Member
Co-Founder, Centre for Film and Drama (image with Communication
Dr. T. V. Ramachandra
Member
Convener, Environmental Information System,
Dr. K. K. Narayanan
Member
Founder & Director, Sthayika Seeds Private
Dr. Harini Nagendra
Memebr
Director, Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, Azim Premji
Dr. P. G. Diwakar
Member
ISRO Chair Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies
Prof. Sachchida Nand Tripathi
Member
Professor, IIT
Dr. Ashwini Chhatre
Member
Associate Professor, ISB –
Dr. Mohan Gupta
Member
Former Senior Advisor, Federal Aviation Administration, USA
Sri P. Raghavendran, Former President, Reliance Industries Limited (Image with Communication
Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan
Chairperson
Former Secretary, DARE, GoI & Director General, ICAR Chancellor, Central Agricultural University,
Activities
Approach Paper on Climate Resilient Agriculture
Agriculture in India is highly vulnerable to climate change and variability with 51% of cultivated area under rainfed conditions. Flood is also a major problem in many parts of the country, especially in eastern part, where frequent flood events take place. In addition, frost in north-west, heat waves in central and northern parts and cyclone in eastern coast also cause havoc. In recent years, the frequency of climatic extremes has increased resulting in increased risks to agricultural production and food security all over the world, including India.
Talk on Building Sustainable Cities – A Social-Ecological Systems Perspective from Dr Harini Nagendra
Dr Harini Nagendra emphasized urban sustainability’s critical challenges and opportunities, particularly in the Global South. She advocated viewing cities as integrated social-ecological systems, where sustainability efforts must address environmental and economic factors and people’s cultural and spiritual relationships with their surroundings.
Symposium on Social and Solidarity Economy: The New Economics for Sustainable Development
The Symposium on Social and Solidarity Economy: The New Economics for Sustainable Development emphasized the transformative role of the third sector in achieving sustainable development. It highlighted how cooperatives and self-help groups (SHGs) empower communities, alleviate poverty, and promote entrepreneurship through democratic governance and collective action. Discussions explored their potential to address housing crises, gig economy exploitation, and economic inequities while emphasizing the importance of robust legal frameworks, educational reforms, and leadership to strengthen the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). The symposium concluded with a commitment to establishing a Cooperative Society, showcasing a strong dedication to leveraging SSE principles for sustainability and resilience.
National Expert Workshop on Climate Resilient Agriculture
The National Expert Workshop on Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) at Chanakya University brought together experts to address the pressing challenges of climate change in agriculture, focusing on mitigation strategies, adaptive technologies, and policy frameworks. With agriculture in India heavily dependent on rainfed systems and vulnerable to climatic extremes, discussions emphasized integrating climate-smart practices like agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and precision farming to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods. The workshop highlighted the need for district-specific action plans, capacity-building for farmers, and collaborative efforts involving research, education, and policy to build resilient agricultural systems and secure the future of farming in India.