Chennai: The School of Sustainability at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) hosted the 'SustainX - ACE 2025 & 4th CO2India' national meet from June 21 to 24, aimed at accelerating India's decarbonization and energy transition efforts.

Organised in collaboration with WRI India and The CO2India Network, the event brought together over 200 stakeholders, including researchers, government officials, industry professionals, and climate experts, to strategize on achieving India's clean energy goals.

Delivering the inaugural address, Shri V. Arun Roy, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, emphasized the State's commitment to green energy, calling it a “constitutional duty and moral imperative.”

The event featured the release of a report by WRI India, titled 'How Cities Can Support India's Clean Energy Transition', which reviewed the clean energy efforts of 10 Indian cities. The report highlighted the need for stronger city-state collaboration, integrated urban-energy planning, and equity-driven energy transition models.

Prof. Rajnish Kumar, Head of the School of Sustainability, highlighted the institution's commitment to actionable, interdisciplinary research linking science, policy, and industry. Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), stressed the role of innovative toolkits like IIT Madras' Climate Action Tool in industrial decarbonization.

Students and researchers gained insights into climate-smart technologies and policy frameworks. With India targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, the meet reinforced the urgency of collaborative, scalable, and inclusive strategies for a sustainable low-carbon future.