The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Indian Women Network (IWN) West Bengal Chapter, in collaboration with Earth Day Network, organized ‘SOS Earth – Essential Climate Literacy Programme’ on 12th July. The event aimed to raise awareness about climate change and promoting sustainable practices. The event was graced by Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki, Founder of the Energy Swaraj Foundation, Brand Ambassador of Solar Energy for the Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Advisor for Earth Day Network. Prof. Solanki delivered a keynote address, inspiring attendees with his insights and experiences in solar energy and sustainability.
Other notable attendees included Ms. Sujata Guin, Chairperson of CII Indian Women Network, Ms. Smita Chatterji, Vice Chairperson of CII Indian Women Network, West Bengal Chapter, Ms. Swagata Guha Mustafi, Chairperson of CII-IWN West Bengal ESG Taskforce and Earth Ambassadors – Actors Ms Sudipa Basu, Ms. Debleena Dutt and Mr. Shoumo Banerjee.
The initiative also featured a compelling panel discussion with Prof. Solanki, Ms. Karuna Singh, Asia Director of Earth Day Network, Mr. Ujjal Chakraborti, Managing Director, JCAPCPL, and Ms. Nisha Menezes, Director, ESG South & East, PwC India. The panel discussed the importance of climate literacy, the role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change, and practical steps for fostering sustainability. Participants engaged in insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and interactive sessions, gaining a deeper understanding of our environmental challenges and the solutions that can drive positive change.
CII-Indian Women Network (IWN) is an initiative by CII aimed at creating a platform for the professional and personal development of women across various sectors, enabling them to contribute to and benefit from the growth of the Indian economy.
Ms. Sujata Guin, Chairperson, CII Indian Women Network, said, “This Climate Literacy Program and awareness on ESG imperatives aims to empower our members, guest and participants with knowledge that is essential for creating a sustainable future. ESG is a collective responsibility and we believe that together, we could drive meaningful change and pledge our intent toward reducing carbon footprint and safeguarding our environment”.
Ms. Smita Chatterji, Vice Chairperson, CII Indian Women Network said, “Our mission had been to inspire and equip individuals with the knowledge to tackle climate change. We emphasized that every action counted in this global effort. The SOS Earth programme provided valuable insights and practical steps, fostering a collective responsibility towards environmental sustainability and motivating participants to take proactive measures.”
Ms. Swagata Guha Mustafi, Chairperson, CII-IWN West Bengal ESG Taskforce, said, “Sustainability had started with awareness, and by fostering climate literacy, we were paving the way for a greener and more resilient world. The SOS Earth programme highlighted the importance of understanding environmental challenges and implementing sustainable practices. We believed that informed individuals could make a substantial difference in protecting our planet for future generations.”
Ms. Karuna Singh, Asia Director of Earth Day Network said “It is imperative that we integrate climate literacy into our educational and professional frameworks. By understanding the science and impact of climate change, we can inspire action necessary for a sustainable future. At Earth Day, Climate Literacy has always been a major focus.”