Sustainability is No Longer a Choice – It is a Collective Responsibility Says Dr. Payal Kanodia

Climate Action: Dr. Payal Kanodia on Sustainability:

Reinforcing its commitment to advancing climate action and sustainability, M3M Foundation, under the leadership of Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, co-hosted the second edition of the Climate Action & Sustainability Conference and Awards (CASCA’26) in collaboration with TheCSRUniverse at India International Centre, New Delhi, on the occasion of World Earth Day.

Held under the theme “LiFE in Action: Powering India’s Sustainable Future & Net Zero Goals,” CASCA’26 brought together 250+ participants, 40+ speakers, and sustainability leaders from 18 states, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and recognition of impactful climate solutions.

The conference featured distinguished speakers including eminent environmentalist Peepal Baba, the Waterman of India Rajendra Singh, Dr. Vivek Kumar, Head, CRTD, IIT Delhi, along with policymakers, sector experts, and grassroots changemakers, who shared insights on advancing India’s climate agenda through innovation and community-led action.

In her keynote address, Dr. Payal Kanodia stated, “Climate action must be rooted in ownership, not obligation. At M3M Foundation, we are building ecosystems where sustainability is led by communities themselves—especially women—who are not just participants but decision-makers. When climate solutions are localised, inclusive, and scalable, they create lasting impact far beyond policy frameworks.”

CASCA’26 also recognised excellence in sustainability leadership. The conference received 56 nominations across diverse categories, out of which 18 organisations were honoured for their impactful contributions.

Among the awardees, PAHAD Trust was conferred with the Editorial Choice Award, while Earthrakshak Foundation was recognised in the Waste Management and Circular Economy category.

The conference hosted engaging panel discussions on climate-resilient agriculture, water security and conservation, circular economy and waste management, climate technology and innovation, renewable energy transitions, and pathways to achieving net-zero goals, fostering actionable dialogue across sectors.

Adding to the platform’s collaborative strength, Ashish Jha, Founder, TheCSRUniverse, highlighted the importance of creating credible ecosystems that recognise and scale impactful sustainability initiatives, further strengthening CASCA as a national platform for climate leadership.

Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee & President, M3M Foundation emphasised that climate change today intersects deeply with livelihoods, health, and economic resilience, highlighting the urgent need to take sustainable solutions to the last mile—into villages, farms, and communities.

Demonstrating its on-ground impact, M3M Foundation continues to drive large-scale sustainability initiatives, impacting over 5 million lives across 22 states, 90+ districts, and 1,300+ villages. Its focused climate interventions are being implemented across 6 states Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka—covering 170+ villages across 8 districts and engaging 3,500+ farmers.

With a strong emphasis on women-led climate leadership, the Foundation has enabled 2,200+ women farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, while 450+ women have emerged as landowners, transforming rural decision-making and economic participation.

Further strengthening sustainable agriculture, the Foundation has established 850+ Sankalp Vatikas and Sarvodaya Vatikas, promoting 100% chemical-free farming, improving health outcomes, and generating additional income for rural households.

M3M Foundation’s environmental efforts also span water conservation, biodiversity protection, renewable energy adoption, and circular economy models, including the creation of 30 million litres of water storage capacity, plantation of 52,000+ saplings, and impacting over 3.1 million individuals annually through environmental programmes.

As India accelerates towards its net-zero ambitions, CASCA’26 reinforced the importance of partnerships, innovation, and community-driven solutions. The conference stands as a testament to M3M Foundation’s continued efforts to translate sustainability into measurable, grassroots impact—building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

About M3M Foundation

M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

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