In a bold effort to solve India’s climate challenge, over ten of the country’s foremost philanthropies have come together to found the India Climate Collaborative (ICC).

The ICC marks the first-ever collective response by philanthropy and industry leaders such as Ratan N. Tata, Anand Mahindra, Rohini Nilekani, Nadir Godrej, Aditi and Rishad Premji, Vidya Shah, and Hemendra Kothari, among others, for effective action towards a shared climate goal. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said, ‘Our collective leadership through the ICC will indicate to the world that Indian philanthropy is ready to be a leader in climate action.’

The ICC is currently has more than 40 organisations involved including 13 foundations as members. The initiative will aim to build a collaborative platform for diverse voices, innovative solutions, and collective investments. Mandated to amplify and spread local solutions, it will inspire and connect governments, businesses, impact investors, research institutions, scientists, and civil society to work together to solve India’s climate crisis.

Ms. Shloka Nath, who leads the sustainability portfolio at Tata Trusts, has been appointed the Executive Director of the India Climate Collaborative. According to Ms. Nath, ‘We have a chance to clean up the air, steward our water supply, as well as bring the clean jobs of the future to India if we act together and invest in the policies, people, and organizations that promote the climate-friendly changes we all need to make. Our response to the climate crisis is going to be a uniquely Indian story.’

In the coming months, the ICC will host convenings to battle air pollution across India, conduct technical training on climate change for Government officials, and launch research on how philanthropy can help build climate-resilient communities.

‘Climate change seems to be already upon us. In India, we need to seriously prepare ourselves for all the innovation and the multidimensional action that will be required to continue on our development trajectory in this new environment. We must ensure the economy grows in a way that creates the jobs of the future and protects our natural ecosystems. Climate action is not an either/or,’ said Ms. Rohini Nilekani.

For more see: indiaclimatecollaborative.org