News, Views, and Updates from TERI
Dear Reader,
August was marked by thought leadership and high-impact dialogues at TERI, anchored by the flagship Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture and the continuing momentum of the TERI-IHC Lecture Series. These platforms brought together leading global and national voices to delve into actionable pathways for sustainable development and clean energy transitions. Explore this edition of the newsletter for key takeaways from these milestone convenings and our ongoing initiatives shaping India's green growth agenda.
25th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture on TERI's Founder Day
TERI commemorated Founder's Day 2026 with the 25th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture, bringing together senior policymakers, thought leaders, experts and TERI colleagues to reflect on India's sustainability journey and the imperative for collaborative action towards a resilient and sustainable future. The event, held at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, featured Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Government of India, who delivered the 25th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture on TERI Founder's Day.
Know MoreTERI-IHC Lecture Series: From Solar Farms to Smart Farms: AgriPV and the Future of the Food-Energy Nexus
On Monday, 10th August 2026, TERI and IHC gathered policy leaders, researchers, and industry pioneers for the third edition of the TERI-IHC Lecture and Discussion Series, tackling one of the country's most vital crossroads: "From Solar Farms to Smart Farms: AgriPV and the Future of Food-Energy." The core idea is simple yet transformative: what if a single field could produce both crops and clean power simultaneously?
Know More5th Water Sustainability Awards 2026
TERI honoured outstanding organizations and institutions driving innovation in sustainable water management at the 5th Water Sustainability Awards 2026, held on 6 August at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards recognized exemplary initiatives in water conservation, water-use efficiency, wastewater treatment and reuse, groundwater recharge, pollution control, watershed management, and climate-resilient water solutions. Through the initiative, TERI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting scalable best practices, encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, and advancing sustainable water management in support of India's development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Know MoreInnovate4Environment Workshops on Renewable Energy and Biotechnology
On August 5, 2026, TERI and the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick inaugurated two parallel thematic workshops in New Delhi under the Innovate4Environment: A UK-India Youth Skills Programme. Supported by the British Council's Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants, the three-day hybrid event convened young changemakers from India and the United Kingdom around Renewable Energy and Biotechnology, Microbiology & Sustainable Agriculture. Throughout the programme, participants collaborated with academic and industry experts from both institutions to build interdisciplinary climate skills and refine their Social Action Projects (SAPs) into scalable, community-focused environmental solutions.
Know MoreUNCCD COP17 Green Zone Finance Day Panel on Digital MRV & Carbon Finance
At the UNCCD COP17 Green Zone Finance Day, TERI in collaboration with VNV, Singapore, and Green Mongolia Hub (GMH), Mongolia, hosted a joint panel discussion titled "Digital MRV & Carbon Finance." Held on 24 August 2026 at Tsagaadai Hall in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the session convened international experts from research institutions, carbon-market organizations, project developers, and the private sector to examine how emerging digital technologies can accelerate high-integrity climate action.
Know MoreSustainable Development Goals and Multilateralism: Agenda 2030 and Beyond
TERI organised a webinar on August 5, 2026 to deliberate on the possible contours of a sustainable development framework beyond 2030, with a particular focus on perspectives from the Global South. The discussion examined key institutional, structural and political questions concerning the future of sustainable development, including financing, technology, accountability, implementation gaps, multilateral reforms, and the continued importance of equity.
Know More
Battery Assembly and Container Testing: Safety, Global Best Practices and Way Forward
This report assesses India's BESS safety landscape amid rapid grid-scale deployment and highlights major deficits in container-scale fire testing, certification, and emergency readiness. To mitigate critical hazards like thermal runaway, the publication provides an actionable roadmap for developing dedicated testing facilities, adopting global standards, and upgrading national regulatory frameworks.
Know MoreA message for our young citizens on International Youth Day: "Common Aspirations Lead to Realisation of Common Goals"
Youth are positioned as active changemakers and architects of sustainable development, whose shared aspirations, transformative education, and meaningful participation can advance a resilient and sustainable India by 2047, write Dr Livleen K Kahlon, Director and Ms Taru Mehta, Associate Director, TERI.
Know MoreWhy India's Ethanol Journey Must Be Guided by Science, Not Speculation
Every meaningful transition in energy or infrastructure — from diesel to CNG; unleaded petrol to catalytic converters to BS-VI emission norms, etc. — has passed through a phase where public familiarity lagged behind technical readiness, writes Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Know More
The correct measure of New Delhi's BRICS presidency
It will be whether Indian initiatives retain momentum after the chair passes to China in 2027. In a world shaped by resilience, technology and strategic competition, advocacy alone is no longer sufficient, writes Mr Ajai Malhotra, Dist. Fellow & Sr. Advisor (Climate Change), TERI.
Know More
India Needs Greater Awareness of Star Ratings
When understood and used effectively, the star-rating label empowers households to reduce electricity bills, minimises grid stress, and supports India's green energy transition, write Dr Siddhita Yadav, Associate Fellow and Ms Tanarika Venisheety, Intern, Electricity & Renewables Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Know MoreTAKE 3
Take 3 is a short video featuring in-house experts who answer three pertinent questions on current issues.
Celebrating the Clean Kilowatt: Akshay Urja Diwas
This Akshay Urja Diwas, Dr Jay Ganesh Pandey, Research Associate TERI, explains the power of the clean kilowatt. From rooftop solar arrays to vast wind corridors, renewable energy is no longer an alternative, it is the foundation of our energy transition. Watch how we're harnessing infinite natural power to build a resilient, decarbonized future.
Watch HereEarth Pod
The Earth Pod steers conversations on issues related to climate change, energy transitions, and environment friendly growth.
Lighting a Billion Lives: How Clean Energy is Powering Rural India's Future
In this episode of The Earth Pod, Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Associate Director & Head – CSR, TERI, discusses the remarkable journey of Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL)—an initiative that began by providing clean solar lighting to energy-deprived communities and has evolved into LABL2.0, promoting livelihoods, women-led entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient rural development. From solar lanterns and Women Energy Enterprises (WEE) to solar-powered boats, hybrid solar looms, and decentralized renewable energy systems, the conversation highlights how innovation, partnerships, and community participation can create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact.
Watch HereTERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)
Darbari Seth Block, Core 6C, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 110 003, INDIA
Tel. : (+91 11) 2468 2100, 7110 2100
E-mail : mailbox@teri.res.in