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Mobius Foundation and Environment Law & Development Foundation host impactful panel on climate liability and justice

Mobius Foundation and Environment Law & Development Foundation host impactful panel on climate liability and justice

New Delhi [India], October 1: The Mobius Foundation, in collaboration with the Environment Law & Development Foundation, successfully convened a significant panel discussion titled “Climate Liability, Justice, and Jurisprudence” on September 27, 2024, at Travancore House, New Delhi. The event addressed the urgent need for accountability and robust legal frameworks in response to escalating climate crises worldwide.

The esteemed panel featured prominent speakers, including:

  • HMJ Hima Kohli, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India (Chief Guest).
  • Dr Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, National Green Tribunal (Guest of Honour).
  • Chandra Bhushan, President & CEO, International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (Special Guest).
  • Sanjay Upadhyay, Senior Advocate and Honorary Managing Trustee, ELD Foundation.
  • Praveen Garg, IAS (Retd.), Former Special Secretary, MoEF&CC and President, Mobius Foundation.

The panel was expertly moderated by Jatinder Jay Cheema, a Projects, Energy, and Natural Resources lawyer.

Key Discussion Highlights:

The panel critically examined the intersections of climate change liability and legal frameworks, focusing on the following key themes:

1. Climate Liability: Exploring accountability mechanisms for governments, NGOs, corporations, and individuals in the Indian context.

2. Climate Justice: Discussing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable and marginalized communities.

3. Evolving Jurisprudence: Reviewing landmark cases and innovative judicial approaches in climate litigation within the Indian legal system.

Speaker Insights:

HMJ Hima Kohli emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, stating, “The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and the loss of biodiversity underscore the crisis we face. It is imperative that we, as a society, recognize the multifaceted nature of this challenge. The solutions must integrate legal and political frameworks alongside scientific advancements, ensuring that every stakeholder is held accountable for their role in combating climate change.”

Dr Afroz Ahmad highlighted the staggering impact of fly ash, stating, “Globally, around 800 million tons of fly ash are generated, with India contributing approximately 180 million tons. This not only poses environmental hazards but also highlights the pressing need for stringent regulatory measures and innovative solutions. We must focus on sustainable practices that not only mitigate this waste but also harness its potential in a manner that benefits society.”

Chandra Bhushan stressed the need to navigate the complex relationship between environmental conservation and community displacement. He remarked, “The pursuit of sustainability often leads to conflicts, particularly for marginalized communities. We must recognize that our environmental policies must be inclusive, addressing the rights and needs of those who are most affected. True sustainability requires a holistic approach that balances ecological preservation with social justice.”

Sanjay Upadhyay called for the integration of climate liability into Indian law, advocating for a comprehensive legal framework grounded in sound principles. He stated, “We need to approach climate liability with a sense of urgency and responsibility. It is crucial that our legal frameworks reflect the realities of climate change, ensuring justice for those affected. An overarching law is essential, and it must be informed by both legal expertise and practical considerations, ensuring that we are prepared for future challenges.”

Praveen Garg said, we should strive to build a future wherein no community bears a disproportionate burden of the climate crisis, the future where the dignity and rights of all people are protected and where we live in harmony with ecosystems which sustain us.

The approach should be to have an overarching but well-thought-out law on climate change. There is a need to shift of population that is sitting on small agricultural land holdings, which can be brought about by quality education and skill development in emerging sectors.

In conclusion, the Mobius Foundation and the Environment Law & Development Foundation invited all stakeholders to continue engaging in discussions around climate liability and justice, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in this critical dialogue.

For more information about the event and future initiatives, please contact: info@mobiusf.org

Mobius Foundation

www.mobiusf.org.

Indian Entrepreneur Develops novel one of a kind Radiative Cooling Headwear Cap. The product along with other consumer wearables opens possibility to a new billion dollar market

Indian Entrepreneur Develops novel one of a kind Radiative Cooling Headwear Cap. The product along with other consumer wearables opens possibility to a new billion dollar market

In the last several years, one has felt the summers getting hotter and drier every year. This is one of the direct effects of climate change and global warming. Across the world, one can clearly see the fingerprints of climate change and it is alarming, to say the least. While efforts are being made by government bodies, private agencies and individuals to reverse the effects of climate change, one has also been looking for ways or methods to protect oneself from the sweltering heat of the summer.

Rajiv Lunkad along with his brother Sanjog Lunkad both fourth generation entrepreneurs have been working across different industries and technologies and products that enable the world move towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle. While moving ahead in this direction, they have managed to put together a product which is now known as the first radiative cooling headwear cap to exist in the world.

Talking about the thought behind inventing this product, Rajiv says, “This summer was one of the hottest ever recorded in many places, leaving millions of people grappling with unbearable heat. As we anticipate a future of warmer summers fuelled by the climate crisis, we have to find ways to adapt to the changing environment. This cooling headwear cap, which is a first-of-its-kind product in this space, has been designed to make the summers a little more bearable for people.”

The duo have worked on several notable projects and lent their expertise to the development of technologies and products that have played an important role in introducing modern technologies One such being their innovation of fully illuminated traffic light project which has been implemented in the city of Mumbai and now being visibly replicated elsewhere in the country.

Elaborating further on the product, he states, “The cap has been made using radiative cooling material that will safeguard people from extreme heat when they are in an outdoor space. Apart from being made with sustainable material, the cap is energy-free and carbon neutral. The cap reflects maximum sunlight back through the atmospheric window into space creating a cooling effect on the inside. It can achieve a cooling of more than minus 5 degrees than the outside temperature.”

The product designed and developed by the duo entrepreneurs serves as yet another testimony to the fact that Entrepreneurs in India are
also filled with visionaries that can create the kind of products that would not only help the people in the country adhere to an environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyle but also enable the entire world to treat the environment more empathetically.

The team is gearing up to lauch the product commercially very soon in the
coming months.

GLOBAL CHALLENGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CRISIS LAUNCHES AHEAD OF COP28

GLOBAL CHALLENGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CRISIS LAUNCHES AHEAD OF COP28

A ground-breaking global competition inviting high school students and educators worldwide to contribute their innovative ideas and solutions to combat the climate crisis, has today been launched by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and Burjeel Holdings.

The Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge culminates in a ceremony for ten finalists during COP28 in Dubai, later this December – five teams from the student category and five individuals from the teacher category. They will have the remarkable opportunity to present their solutions to a distinguished audience in Dubai, and the winners will earn a coveted spot in a bespoke program at Oxford Saïd. Furthermore, they will gain access to a vibrant community of influential entrepreneurs and thought leaders in innovation and social impact from around the globe.

The initiative, forged through a partnership between one of Europe’s leading business schools and one of the Middle East’s premier healthcare providers aims to give young people the visibility and recognition they deserve on the global stage. As the climate crisis looms large, it is crucial to address the challenges that future generations will face in the coming decades.

Soumitra Dutta, Peter Moores Dean at Oxford Saïd, said: ‘Climate change is the most urgent threat to humanity and our young people will be dealing with its impacts in ways we do not yet understand. We will only stop this crisis through bold thinking, innovation and creativity. That is why, together with Burjeel Holdings, we are asking today’s teachers and tomorrow’s leaders, change makers and innovators to imagine solutions now. I look forward to giving them a platform during COP28, and personally welcoming the winners to our School next year, where they will learn more about solving climate change from our world-leading academics.’

The competition invites students aged 15 to 18 to present their proposals for addressing the climate crisis across five key areas: air pollution, extreme weather events, water scarcity, food security, and vector-borne diseases. High school educators are encouraged to participate by submitting climate change lesson plans that raise awareness and inspire students to think creatively about tackling one of the most pressing concerns of our time.

Highlighting the importance of empowering students to drive meaningful solutions and accelerate climate action, Burjeel Holdings founder and chairperson, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, said, “We are thrilled to launch the Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge, an initiative that sparks the transformative potential of the almost one billion-strong high school students and teachers around the world to have their ideas and lessons heard all around the world in addressing the generational issue of climate change. This competition serves as a platform to cultivate the next generation of change agents, empowering them to drive meaningful solutions and accelerate climate action. By fostering a spirit of collective responsibility, we are nurturing a powerful force that can shape a more sustainable world for themselves and future generations. Against the backdrop of a climate-focused year in the UAE, this challenge amplifies the voices of our youth, allowing them to play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter and greener future.”

The winning student team and educator will be awarded an exclusive opportunity to attend specially curated courses at Oxford Saïd in the spring of 2024, located within the prestigious University of Oxford. To learn more about the competition and participate, please visit the Climate Change Competition website for detailed information.

For media queries, contact:

Anshul Sharma,

anshul.sharma@sbs.ox.ac.uk