Pune, India, 16
September 2026 : The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) convened
the inaugural India Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2026 in partnership with
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune and INFLIBNET Centre at the
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune bringing together leading scientists,
industry experts, policymakers and innovators to explore how chemistry can
accelerate India's sustainability ambitions.
Held under the theme "Advancing
Sustainability through Chemistry", the one-day forum served as a
national platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange on some of
India's most pressing sustainability challenges, including climate action,
energy transition, circularity, sustainable manufacturing and environmental
stewardship.
India is at a pivotal
stage in its sustainability journey. Achieving national goals in areas such as
clean energy, resource efficiency and sustainable industrial growth will
require science-led innovation and stronger partnerships across academia,
industry, government and the wider research ecosystem. Chemistry and the
chemical sciences are expected to play a central role in enabling these
solutions, from developing sustainable materials and advancing green chemistry
to supporting cleaner manufacturing processes and resource-efficient
technologies.
The India
Sustainability Forum 2026 aims to strengthen connections between research and
real-world impact by fostering collaboration, supporting innovation and
encouraging engagement between scientific and industrial communities.
Dr Venkatesh
Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, RSC India and South Asia,
said: "India has an extraordinary opportunity to lead the way in
developing science-driven solutions for sustainability. Through the India
Sustainability Forum, we aim to bring together diverse stakeholders to share
knowledge, build partnerships and accelerate the translation of research into
meaningful societal and environmental impact."
The forum featured
keynote addresses and expert panel discussions involving distinguished leaders
from government, academia and industry. Speakers include representatives from
the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India,
CSIR-NCL, INFLIBNET Centre, Shiv Nadar University, JNCASR,
IIT Bombay, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company, Pidilite
Industries, Praj Industries, and several other leading institutions.
Key discussions focused
on:
●
Translating laboratory research into
industrial sustainability solutions
●
Advancing sustainable innovation through
academia-industry collaboration
●
Green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing
●
Building partnerships to accelerate climate
and sustainability goals
●
Supporting India's transition towards a
circular and low-carbon economy
The programme included
a virtual address on the Royal Society of Chemistry's global sustainability
strategy by Jo Reynolds, Director, Global Impact, Royal Society of Chemistry,
alongside recognition programmes celebrating leadership and innovation in
sustainable chemistry. These include She Leads Sustainability, the Chemistry
for Sustainability: Emerging Researcher Award, and recognition of RSC
Fellows from the Pune region.
A video address from Dr
Helen Pain MBE CSci CChem FRSC, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society of
Chemistry, reinforced the organisation's commitment to supporting
scientific excellence and sustainable innovation worldwide.
As the first edition of
what is envisioned as a flagship event for the Royal Society of Chemistry in
India, the India Sustainability Forum aims to catalyse meaningful
collaborations, strengthen the connection between science and society, and help
accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for India's future.
The event was organised
in partnership with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune,
with support from the INFLIBNET Centre, alongside academic and industry
associations from across India.
Dr Ashish Lele,
Director of CSIR NCL Pune, said “As the host institution, we are absolutely delighted to partner with the
Royal Society of Chemistry and IFLIBNET in bringing together an exciting
community of researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and young
scientists to exchange ideas in the panel discussions, and shape solutions for
a more sustainable future.
“Sustainability is the
defining challenge at the planet level, at national level, at societal level
and at societal levels.”
Those thoughts were
echoed by the keynote speakers, including Dr Devika Madali, Director of
INFLIBNET Centre, said:who said: “Sustainability is practically not
a research question anymore. It’s about existence itself.”
In his keynote, Dr
BLV Prasad, Chief Scientist CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune,
concluded: “Climate change doesn’t need a passport or a visa”.
Notes for editors: About
the Royal Society of Chemistry
We work at the heart of
the chemical sciences community to create a future that is more open, more
green, and more equal. Together, we’re helping chemistry to change the world.
We enable exciting
progress that would be otherwise impossible. As an independent catalyst for
change, we connect people and ideas through partnerships, conferences, events
and networks that span the globe.
We publish scientists’
discoveries and insights so they can be used to improve our health, environment
and lifestyles. And we’re transforming how we do that with a commitment to open
access: everyone, everywhere, should have the same potential to read and share
knowledge.
We care about
protecting our natural environment, about tackling discrimination to build a
truly inclusive world, and about making cutting-edge chemistry accessible
wherever it’s needed for the good of society.
It’s all built upon and
lifted up by our diverse global membership, with every one of those 60,000
members bringing a unique and valuable perspective. The chemical science
community has the knowledge, skills and passion to make those a reality –
together, we’re changing the world.
RSC India Media
Contact:
Shweta Bhagat [BhagatS@rsc.org]