Royal Society of Chemistry launches India Sustainability Forum 2026 in Pune

RSC India MD Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi opened proceedings at the inaugural RSC India Sustainability Forum in Pune

We convened the inaugural India Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2026 at the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, bringing together leading scientists, industry experts, policymakers and innovators to explore how chemistry can accelerate India's sustainability ambitions.

Held under the theme 'Advancing Sustainability through Chemistry', the one-day forum serves as a national platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange on some of India's most pressing sustainability challenges, including climate action, energy transition, circularity, sustainable manufacturing and environmental stewardship.

India is at a pivotal stage in its sustainability journey. Achieving national goals in areas such as clean energy, resource efficiency and sustainable industrial growth will require science-led innovation and stronger partnerships across academia, industry, government and the wider research ecosystem.

Professor Sourav Pal (centre), from Ashoka University, chaired a panel of experts discussing practising sustainability in chemistry, from lab to industry

Chemistry and the chemical sciences are expected to play a central role in enabling these solutions, from developing sustainable materials and advancing green chemistry to supporting cleaner manufacturing processes and resource-efficient technologies.

The India Sustainability Forum 2026 aims to strengthen connections between research and real-world impact by fostering collaboration, supporting innovation and encouraging engagement between scientific and industrial communities.

India has an extraordinary opportunity to lead the way in developing science-driven solutions for sustainability. Through the India Sustainability Forum, we aim to bring together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships and accelerate the translation of research into meaningful societal and environmental impact.

Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, RSC India and South Asia

The forum features keynote addresses and expert panel discussions involving distinguished leaders from government, academia and industry.

Dr BLV Prasad, Chief Scientist, CSIR NCL Pune, giving his keynote speech to a packed audience of young researchers, as well as leading scientists, industry experts, policymakers and innovators

Speakers include representatives from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, CSIR-NCL, INFLIBNET Centre, Shiv Nadar University, JNCASR, IIT Bombay, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company, Pidilite Industries, Praj Industries, and several other leading institutions.

Key discussions focused on:

• Translating laboratory research into industrial sustainability solutions
• Advancing sustainable innovation through academia-industry collaboration
• Green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing
• Building partnerships to accelerate climate and sustainability goals
• Supporting India's transition towards a circular and low-carbon economy

The programme will also include a virtual address on our global sustainability strategy by Jo Reynolds, our Director of Global Impact, alongside recognition programmes celebrating leadership and innovation in sustainable chemistry.

These include She Leads Sustainability, the Chemistry for Sustainability: Emerging Researcher Award, and recognition of newly elected RSC Fellows from the Pune region.

Dr Ale Palermo, RSC Head of Global Inclusion, spoke about our work in inclusion and diversity ahead of presenting a number of recognition awards to leading Indian women scientists, under the heading 'She Leads Sustainability'.

A video address from Dr Helen Pain MBE CSci CChem FRSC, our Chief Executive Officer, reinforced the organisation's commitment to supporting scientific excellence and sustainable innovation worldwide.

As the first edition of what is envisioned as a flagship event for us in India, the India Sustainability Forum is designed to catalyse meaningful collaborations, strengthen the connection between science and society, and help accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for India's future.

Professor Ananya Mukherjhee from Shiv Nadar University gives a keynote speech

The event was organised in partnership with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, with support from the INFLIBNET Centre, alongside academic and industry associations from across India.

Dr Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR NCL Pune, said: “As the host institution, we are absolutely delighted to partner with the Royal Society of Chemistry and IFLIBNET in bringing together an exciting community of researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and young scientists to exchange ideas in the panel discussions, and shape solutions for a more sustainable future.

RSC India MD Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi presented a token of thanks to keynote speaker Dr Devika Madalli, Director of INFLIBNET Centre

“Sustainability is the defining challenge at the planet level, at national level, at societal level and at societal levels.”

Those thoughts were echoed by the keynote speakers, including Dr Devika Madalli, Director of INFLIBNET Centre, who said: “Sustainability is practically not a research question anymore. It’s about existence itself.”

Meanwhile, in his keynote, Dr BLV Prasad, who is the Chief Scientist at the CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, concluded: “Climate change doesn’t need a passport or a visa.”

Members of the RSC UK and India teams with Dr BLV Prasad (right)