Climate Action

Dedication for society and environmental sustainability are integrated into the mission and vision of the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies in tune with the ideology of the founder. Manav Rachna seeks to empower youth to be at the forefront of this mission of environmental protection. Army of Green warriors is being raised in Manav Rachna who would be spearheading this movement to spread the message of saving environment and attaining carbon neutrality to masses. In order to make our campus carbon-neutral, green and to make students environmentally conscious citizen, we need to initiate the change from ourselves. Youth is the torch bearer to make changes in society. We, at Manav Rachna believe in youth power and wish to use it in our effort to make the mother earth greener and sustainable. We need to change the mode of interaction at all levels – home, university, workplace and so on. To increase the outreach for creating an environment that fosters environmental sustainability, Manav Rachna envisages engagement of youth as GREEN WARRIORS. This is also an attempt to divert youth in productive, creative problem solving to make them true leaders of future India. This endeavor aims to prepare the youth of the nation to develop into leaders who will contribute in bringing progress to society through such actions and initiatives that promote Sustainability in the area of their chosen career.

Manav Rachna Research Cluster for Environmental Sustainability

Fostering Environmental Sustainability across all Stakeholders is one of the best practices implemented in MRIIRS. Manav Rachna Research Cluster for Environmental Sustainability has an important role in the integration of sustainable practices in academics and research. This cluster forms a pool of faculty members, scholars and professionals from the field of environmental chemistry, hydrology, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, civil engineering, mathematics, eco-hydrology and environment management. Under this cluster following units have been established:

Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management (MRCAWTM)
Sustainable Chemistry Centre (SCC)

Manav Rachna Hosts First-Of-Its-Kind Youth-Led Climate Action Annual Fest ‘POP INDIA TALKS’ in Collaboration With The POP Movement

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, MRIIRS collaborated with the POP Movement ( Protect Our Planet) to bring the youth-led climate action movement to India with an aim to achieve Net Zero Emissions through climate action by 2045.

Climate activists from all over the world along with students (age group 13-18 years) from schools across the globe attended the POP INDIA TALKS at Manav Rachna Campus participating in multiple sessions like “Inspiring Success Stories”, “Change Makers”, “Business Challenge”, “ Minimalistic Living through Art”, “Save Soil”, “Home Composting”, “Urban Farming” and more.

Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, MREI; Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava, MD, MREI and Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS); Ms. Sanyogita Sharma, Director, Manav Rachna International Schools; Dr. N C Wadhwa, Director General, MREI; Dr. Anandajit Goswami, Director, FBSS, MRIIRS attended the one-day fest along with Manav Rachna School Principals, Executive Directors, Teachers, and Students from the Manav Rachna fraternity.

Dr. Ash Pachauri, Senior Mentor, The POP Movement and Erik Solheim – Former Executive Director, UNEP and Patron WSDF complemented by global youth leaders like Ms. Meda Malinga, Master Haaziq Kazi, Samual C. Okorie joined the session virtually during the inaugural session and addressed the students to apprise them of the need to take action for climate change and how the youth around the world are supporting the cause.

Dr. Amit Bhalla addressed the students quoting, “Youth all around the world have started environmental groups, led grassroots initiatives, set up petitions, established solar panels to provide power, invented energy efficient home appliances and more. To do our bit, Manav Rachna has partnered with Paryavaran Gatividhi to strengthen the efforts to make India carbon neutral by initiating activities like making Eco bricks and with Smart Campus Cloud Network to monitor Carbon credits. In April this year, we witnessed students from all around the country deliberate on protecting the environment at National Environment Youth Parliament held at the Parliament of India, New Delhi and today with #POPINDIATALKS, it is yet another example of the commitment shown by the young climate crusaders willing to stand up for change.”

Ms. Sanyogita Sharma highlighted in her address, “Taking the dream of our founder visionary Dr. O P Bhalla forward, working towards building the society and protecting our natural resources is our prime responsibility. I am truly amazed to see how young children are working towards climate change and this campaign led by the youth is a big step forward in achieving the goal of our Prime Minister Hon’ble Narendra Modi Ji for achieving net zero emissions by 2045. Young students have immense potential to change the world and with POP INDIA TALKS, we are directing their efforts towards this urgent issue which concerns us all.”

Dr. Ash Pachauri in his virtual address quoted, “We are truly delighted with this partnership and collaboration which provides a platform to the youth from around the world to amplify their voices for climate change, share experiences, knowledge and inspiration through numerous activities. We have a small window of opportunity which we can use to make an impact and coming together is quintessential to make that happen.”

In the words of Mr. Erik Solheim, “India’s young and dedicated population is now driving the efforts for climate change and India is now on the forefront for dealing with emerging global environment issues. India is coming up as the second most important solar energy nation in the 21st century and I convey my greetings and wishes to the change crusaders, mentors, teachers and leaders for guiding the students on this path of environmental sustainability.”

Dr. Pranab J Patar, Chief Executive, Indo-American Environmental Charity; Mr. Jaidhar Gupta – Ecologist and Founder Nirvana Being, India; Mr. Sankalp and Mr. Parikshit – National Youth Icons for Paryavaran Gatividhi; Mr. Rahul Makin, Renowned and award winning RJ of ‘Pyar ka Panchnama’ at 104 FM; Mr. Vivek Rana, Head, IFR & Mass Engagement, WATER AID; Dr. Livleen K Khalon, Senior Researcher & Associate Director, TERI; Dr. Sabine Kapasi, Gynecologist and Global Health Care and Policy Governance Professional , UN-WHO; Ms. Neha Gupta, Senior Fellow, Environment Education and Awareness, TERI; Mr. Tarun Gupta, Founder of SiCureMi, Entrepreneurship Expert; Ms. Midori Imamura, Honorary POP Mindfulness Mentor; Dr. Pushp Bajaj, Head of the Blue Economy and Climate Change (BECC) Cluster at the National Maritime Foundation; Student environment enthusiasts like Krishaang Kohli, Shaurya Bhalla, Gautam Chandra, Ananya, and Yashika were a part of this event.

The POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement is an initiative designed to address the urgent need to share information and knowledge with the youth on solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN, mitigate climate change, and adapt to its growing impacts. Intended to ultimately reach the size, scale, and momentum to become a global movement, POP mobilizes the youth worldwide to take collective action needed to mitigate climate change and protect threatened ecosystems.

Manav Rachna Educational Institutions #HarGharTiranga are the leading CBSE schools in North India, committed to inspiring the youth and giving them a platform for voicing their opinions on climate change and taking actions for environment sustainability. POP INDIA TALKS provides an open opportunity to the young change makers of the World to express their ideas and stories for saving the environment through their art, dialogue and actions through the youth.”

MRIIRS Commitment towards NET ZERO

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies has committed in line with the goal of our Prime Minister Hon’ble Narendra Modi Ji to achieve net zero carbon by 2045 from all greenhouse gas emissions sources, as defined by the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). This commitment is supported by a target to reduce gross Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60-65% by 2035.

Following are the broad plan/strategy statements of MRIIRS for Enhanced Carbon Reduction in the coming years:
1. Progressive reduction in the amount of energy sourced from HSEB (Haryana State Electricity Board) by increasing installation of solar energy panels.
2. DG sets to be converted/replaced with NG/Green Hydrogen in phased manner
3. Strategize to reduce the congestion at entry and exit points to the campus
4. Reduction in food waste generation
5. Reducing paper consumption by technological interventions
6. Generated biogas to be used in kitchen
7. Re-evaluation of GHG emission inventory
8. Exploring options for increasing the renewable sources of energy (solar etc) at campus
9. Promoting pool transport amongst the stakeholders
10. Promotion and procurement of biodegradable/recyclable products/materials
11. Increase in natural light through technological intervention.
12. Training of stakeholders for using eco-friendly products and reducing plastic waste generation.
13. Promoting donation/reuse of unused items frequently.
14. Sensitizing stakeholders for using local and in-season fruits and vegetables.
15. Organizing health check-up for faculty and staff members. Encouraging faculty and staff members to register for organ and tissue donation.
16. Organizing old book donation drives in campus and sending these to under privileged children of villages in adjoining areas.
17. Organizing sensitising sessions to be vocal for local.
18. Extending support in organizing campaigns for collection of relief material for combating disasters the country experiences from time to time.

MRIIRS Report on carbon footprints for the year 2022-23: Click to Read

The journey towards Carbon Neutral, Eco-friendly, and Green campus

The key to sustainable development is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. In Manav Rachna, we are committed to make people conscious about their decisions, actions and behavior which would be affecting the environment. The campus which is in the process of becoming a green and carbon neutral campus is the projection of our collective consciousness.

The Father of the Nation, Gandhi ji emphasized that “The Earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children”. In the true spirit of Mahatma’s insightful and prudent message, Manav Rachna began its march on the road that is still considered less travelled, the road leading towards the goal of re-visiting the Green Revolution by adopting a Green Policy that would transform the whole campus into “Carbon-neutral”, “Eco-friendly” and Green campus. The Green Policy which was formulated in alignment with the Environmental Policy proposed by AICTE is a roadmap to achieve the goal of Going Green. Standard Operating Procedures for Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management and Environment Protection have been developed and promulgated and are the guiding documents to plan and execute the processes instrumental in environmental conservation.

To bring the dream of making Manav Rachna self-reliant and sustainable into reality, major initiatives have been undertaken: Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in campus for generation of renewable energy; Commissioning Rain water harvesting systems at four locations in the University campus to collects the rain water for storage in tanks and further use; Setting up Sewage Treatment Plant of capacity 200 KLD at the university campus for recycling of sewage water which is used to water the plants in gardens and lawns of the campus and flush the toilets in the campus.

It is worth noting that the campus is a ‘Zero Discharge’ campus which has attained complete recycling and reuse of waste water. To further strengthen the efforts towards making a carbon neutral, green and environmentally rich campus, an automatic bio-composter of capacity 75 Kgs per day is installed in the university campus which converts the organic waste into compost. The organic waste including food waste, kitchen waste and garden waste can be recycled into compost through the bio composter which is used to fertilize the garden soil within the campus, ensuring no discharge in the environment and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. The non-biodegradable waste generated in the campus is segregated at source by disposing the dry, wet and hazardous waste separately in colour coded dustbins, which are deployed at various locations in the campus. The non-biodegradable waste is taken away from the campus by M/S Ecogreen Energy, Gurugram for appropriate recycling who are authorized by Municipal Corporation of Faridabad to collect, recycle and dispose of the domestic waste.

The biomedical waste generated in the university is disposed in colour coded bins with closed lids for segregation and is further collected on a regular basis by a registered vendor ‘Golden Eagle Waste Management Company, Faridabad’ who are authorized for collection and safe disposal of Biomedical waste.

Manav Rachna also partnered with Paryavaran Gatividhi to strengthen the efforts to make India carbon neutral by initiating activities like making Eco bricks and with Smart Campus Cloud Network to monitor Carbon credits using App based recording and analysis. Manav Rachna participated in virtual event NOT Zero Net Zero organized by TERRE Policy Centre under Smart Campus Cloud Network and took a voluntary pledge to make University carbon neutral on the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on December 12 2020.

Manav Rachna has pledged to ban single-use plastic, organized a Rally to spread the message to Ban on Single Use Plastic which eventually led to campaign SAY NO TO SINGLE PLASTIC: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE GO GREEN WITH MANAV RACHNA.

Awareness is spread by organizing Seminars, Workshops or training for the students, faculty and society. One such webinars was organized on “Water Efficiency for Sustainable Building” on the occasion of Water Day the 22nd March in which Resource person Dr Sanjay Mathur, Professor & Head, MNIT, Jaipur, Dr. N C Wadhwa, Director General, MREI and Dr. I K Bhat, VC, MRU highlighted the scenario of drinking water in the world as well in India in particular, the need to become water efficient and make sustainable buildings and ways to bring water efficiency. On the occasion of WATER DAY (22nd March) Manav Rachna initiated CONSERVE WATER PLEDGE campaign all across India where people took online pledge using the link and received their softcopy of pledge with their name, photograph and signature. We had great responses from students of different colleges, cities, states and countries as well.

Environmental and Sustainability audit, Energy Audit are done regularly to evaluate the status and undertake the measures. To provide the strategic direction and guidance in its journey towards Going Green, Manav Rachna has roped in a highly esteemed and erudite Advisory person like Mr. Rajendra Shende, a former Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Paris and currently Senior Expert nominated by Government of India to United Nations Environment’s Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP).
In the endeavor ‘Go Green’, Manav Rachna seeks to empower youth to be at the forefront of this mission. Army of Green warriors is being raised in Manav Rachna who would be spearheading this movement to spread the message of saving the environment and attaining carbon neutrality to the masses.
Manav Rachna is making every effort not only to make campus eco-friendly, green and carbon neutral but also to contribute a bit to make surrounding carbon neutral.

Quick links:

Progress Report

SDG13- Climate Action

Climate Action