TERI and British Council Open 5-Day Sustainability & Leadership Camp for Youth Climate Action

Inaugural Day anchors immersive climate learning and leadership development under the Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India project

New Delhi, December 8, 2025: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the British Council and HSBC, inaugurated the Sustainability & Leadership Camp today at TERI, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Organized under the Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India project, the five-day camp brings together youth from across India for hands-on learning, leadership development, and capacity-building on climate action and sustainability.

The Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India project—delivered by TERI, TERI School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS), University of Mumbai, and HSNC University—aims to nurture a new generation of climate-aware youth who can contribute to equitable, grassroots-level climate action. The programme aligns with the British Council–HSBC global initiative implemented in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam to support fair, inclusive, and future-ready transitions.

The inaugural session set the tone for the week-long engagement. Delivering the welcome address, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “This programme is essential because climate action begins with each one of us. Your generation is the first to be fully impacted by climate change, and your ideas will shape how India navigates this transition. Every small action matters. As we say in our tradition, boond-boond se sagar bharta hai (every drop fills the ocean)— it is each of your actions that will ultimately make the difference. We are not asking anyone to go back to the Stone Age. You have every right to comfort, but that comfort must come with sustainability.”

Following the welcome address, Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, Social Transformation & Strategic Alliance Programme, TERI, spoke about the importance of partnerships for skilling and youth empowerment, noting, “India’s climate goals for 2030 and even 2070 will only be met if today’s youth take action. The skills you acquire here—and how you share them with your communities—will shape the future of our country. No single institution can solve the climate challenge alone. Partnership is the only way forward—between organizations, communities, and especially the youth who stand at the heart of this transition. Climate action in India cannot be one-size-fits-all. What works in Goa is different from what we need in the Northeast or in Delhi. Only skilled and informed youth can tailor solutions to these diverse landscapes.”

Representing the British Council, Mr Shannon West, Deputy Director India and Area Director North India, delivered the special address, highlighting the global significance of climate literacy and youth engagement. “Climate literacy is essential for the next generation, shaping how communities, economies, and societies respond to environmental challenges. These are fundamental skills that young people need to be part of the transition to a greener future- especially those disproportionately affected by environmental changes.

Through the Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India project, we are nurturing curiosity, creativity, and India-UK collaboration, empowering young leaders to turn climate ambition into meaningful action—locally grounded, globally informed, and capable of driving the transformations our planet urgently needs.

This programme strengthens India’s climate leadership pipeline and contributes to a growing international movement that places young people at the centre of fair, inclusive, and future-ready transitions. What we witness here today is a powerful testament to the potential of youth when they are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and global outlook to lead change.”

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Taru Mehta, Associate Director & Senior Fellow, Environment Education Awareness (EEA), TERI, who reflected on TERI’s long-standing commitment to environmental education and experiential learning.

The remainder of Day 1 featured a rich lineup of thematic interactions:

• A powerful session on Indigenous Knowledge as Climate Leadership: Ethics, Ecology and Sovereignty from Northeast India by Dr Dustin Lalkulhpuia.
• An icebreaker led by Mr Shubham Rai, enabling participants to build rapport and identify shared motivations.
• An intensive Hands-on Research Methodology workshop anchored by Mr Aryaman Tewari, strengthening foundational skills for evidence-based climate work.
• A leadership development session, Discover the ‘Leader’ in You, facilitated by Ms Nupur Awasthi, followed by a special evening session on Youth, Sustainability and Global Citizenship by Dr Livleen K. Kahlon.

Collectively, these sessions set a strong grounding for the week, enabling participants to explore climate justice, indigenous knowledge systems, research skills, and values-based leadership as interconnected dimensions of climate action.

Over the next four days, the camp will offer:

• Thematic mentorship on ecology, sustainable agriculture, waste management, renewable energy, geospatial data, and project management
• Poster presentations and an Ideas Gallery showcasing youth innovations
• Insights on COP30 outcomes and implications for youth
• Workshops on fundraising, community action, team diversity, and communication for impact
• A valedictory session featuring TERI, British Council, and UGC representatives

About Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India

Climate Skills is a British Council - HSBC Initiative that is executed in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam. In India, the programme delivery partners are TERI, TERI School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS), University of Mumbai and HSNC University, to build capacity of youth and sow the seeds of grassroots action for fair transition towards sustainable growth.