India’s urban climate agenda gained fresh momentum with the inauguration of the Cities of Care Conference at IIT Madras Research Park. The event brought together universities, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to discuss climate action, sustainable urban development and the Water–Food–Waste nexus. It also marked the release of Sustainable India 2025, a country report that examines India’s progress in sustainability, energy transition and climate resilience across cities, states and sectors.
Conference Focus
The conference was jointly convened by the University of Toronto India Foundation, IIT Madras’ School of Sustainability and the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. More than 90 participants joined plenaries, thematic research sessions, research presentations and a cross-sector panel. The discussions centred on:
- Urban climate action through integrated systems thinking.
- Linkages between water, food and waste systems.
- Practical pathways for climate-resilient cities in India.
Sustainable India 2025 Report
The report released alongside the conference presents a broad overview of India’s sustainability journey. It marks developments in climate resilience, energy transition, ecosystems, water systems, sustainable mobility and inclusive development. The report notes that India has entered a decisive phase in its energy transition. Renewable capacity has expanded rapidly, but further progress depends on:
- Decarbonising industry.
- Improving energy efficiency.
- Scaling decentralised clean energy solutions.
It also stresses that climate ambition must translate into climate delivery if India is to meet its 2030 and 2070 targets.
Urban Challenges and Policy Needs
The conference underlined that Indian cities face interconnected pressures from water stress, waste management, food systems and urban resilience. Participants discussed how research can be translated into policy-relevant action. Key concerns included:
- Strengthening compliance pathways for industry.
- Ensuring affordable finance for green transition.
- Improving monitoring and implementation mechanisms.
- Building stronger collaboration between academia, government and business.
Collaborative Urbanism and Future Work
The report’s foreword emphasises that no city can address climate challenges in isolation. It calls for cross-sector and cross-border collaboration to support sustainable urban development. The conference is expected to inform future research partnerships, policy discussions and implementation pathways. Its outcomes are likely to support ongoing work on climate-resilient urban development in India through academic, institutional and practitioner networks.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026