Themes

Climate Skills - Seeds for a Transition India

18 Mar 2025

Background

Climate change is an unavoidable global concern, impacting all sectors of society and necessitating immediate and strategic action. The threat is pronounced in India, where diverse ecological and climatic systems are susceptible to adverse climate phenomena. Young people, as the leaders of tomorrow, are crucial in driving the necessary transformations in societal attitudes and practices towards sustainable development. Recognising the role of education in mitigating climate change, TERI has identified an inter-disciplinary approach as a key to engage students and empower them with knowledge and tools required to address environmental challenges. Against this background, TERI and TERI- School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS) are implementing a project, titled “Climate Skills- Seeds for Transition India,”. The project seeks to leverage the enthusiasm and innovative capabilities of youth across the nation, nurturing them into champions of climate action. 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), Mumbai University and HSNC University, to build capacity of youth and sow the seeds of grassroots action for fair transition towards sustainable growth.

Objectives of the Project

The primary objective of this project is to train youth from diverse academic backgrounds, equipping them with essential skills and a holistic understanding of climate science and sustainability. The initiative aims to foster a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders through structured training programs, regional workshops, mentoring support and social action projects. Specifically, the project aims to:

Empower youth on global climate skills: Equipping young people with essential knowledge and leadership abilities to actively participate in climate action and sustainable development.

Inform decision-makers about alternative climate education strategies: Providing institutional stakeholders with innovative approaches to climate education that effectively engage communities and foster meaningful change.

Address climate challenges at the grassroots level: Implementing targeted solutions and collaborative efforts to tackle climate impacts across all levels of society and governance.

Who can participate?

College students from multidisciplinary academic backgrounds.
Young professionals and social and environmental entrepreneurs.
Drop out youth in the age bracket of 18-30 years passionate about climate action, sustainability and grassroot actions.
Youth enrolled in Vishwa Yuvak Kendra institutionalised by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.

Key Deliverables

1.Master Trainers Programme: A 5-day training program for master trainers aimed to empower youth, including marginalised groups, by developing their climate skills for a just transition away from fossil fuels towards greener economies. (Timeline: March 2025)

2.Partnership and Onboarding of Stakeholders: Establishing collaborations with key institutions, government agencies, and community-based organisations to ensure broad support and active participation throughout the project. (March – July 2025)

3.Regional Workshops for Youth: Regional two day workshops in Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Bhopal & Guwahati to sensitise, educate, and empower 500 youth on local climate issues, sustainable practices and adaptation mechanism. (September-October 2025)

4.Sustainability and Leadership Camp: A 5-day residential camp in Mukteshwar, Uttrakhand will be hosted to develop youth leadership skills, foster eco-centric mindsets, and strengthen their capacity for community action. (November-2025)

5.Social Action Projects: Supporting the implementation of 5 community-driven social action initiatives, enabling youth to apply their learning towards tangible climate resilience and sustainability outcomes. (November 2025 – February 2026)

Expected Outcomes

TERI anticipates significant outcomes that align with global and national sustainability goals, these are listed as follows:

1.Youth Empowerment: Youth delegates will emerge as informed advocates for climate action, equipped with essential 21st-century skills, fostering a mindset of resilience and innovation.

2.Community Impact: The implementation of social action projects will not only address local environmental issues but also stimulate awareness and engagement within communities.

3.Sustainable Network Building: Establishing a robust network of youth leaders who will create a ripple effect in education and advocacy, promoting sustainability practices beyond the project’s lifespan.