Collective action is important in protecting ecosystems, say experts

New Delhi, Delhi, India – Business Wire India

The Net Green Foundation High Impact Sustainability Dialogue & Earth Awards 2026, organised at UNESCO House, New Delhi, successfully brought together policymakers, sustainability leaders, industry experts, academicians, civil society representatives, and young innovators. The event witnessed the participation of over 125 distinguished attendees.

During the ceremony, the Net Green Foundation Earth Awards 2026 honoured more than 25 outstanding individuals, organisations, and initiatives for their remarkable contributions to environmental conservation, climate action, water sustainability, clean energy, circular economy, and community-driven sustainability.

The event was supported by key government institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority, along with the national movement Mission LiFE.

Shri Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Food & Supplies and Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi was Chief guest of the event, while Shri Acharya Balkrishna ji was the Guest of Honour. Natural Sciences Programme Specialist at UNESCO India, Dr Benno Böer, was the special guest at the event.

Earlier, the programme opened with the Welcome Address by Ms Surbhi Gupta, Director, Net Green Foundation. Ms Neha Edwin, Senior Vice President, Net Green Foundation, delivered the Opening Address. Mr Umesh Kumar Sharma, Director and Editor-in-Chief, and Ms Vaanii Hiremath, Director, Net Green Foundation, were also present on the occasion.

Domain experts and thought leaders have underlined urgency for action toward building sustainable and climate-resilient communities to ensure a sustainable future. The experts have also pointed out the importance of collective action in protecting ecosystems.

Discussing sustainability issues at the Net Green Foundation High-Impact Knowledge Exchange & Earth Awards 2026 at UNESCO House, here, a panel moderated by Dr Rajeev Jindal, Professor of Practice, Department of Design, IIT Kanpur, explored various issues including corporate sustainability leadership, responsible infrastructure development, water stewardship, and the role of financial institutions in enabling green initiatives.

Another panel discussed issues related to community engagement, climate leadership, environmental education, and the importance of collective action in protecting ecosystems. This was moderated by Dr Lipika Sharma, Senior Consultant (Gender & Climate Expert) – UN Women.

Eminent panelists included Mr Debasis Satapathy, Chief General Manager (HRM), NBCC Limited; Mr Kamal Chugh, Head – Government & Institutional Business (North India), Federal Bank Limited; Dr Santanu Basu, Project Director – Harit, HCL Foundation; and Ms Rajni Dhiman, Head of Department- Water, Ramboll India Pvt. Ltd. Ms Tanish Maheshwari, Head – Communications & Advocacy, DLF Foundation, Prof. Vivek Kumar, Professor, IIT Delhi, Prof. C.R. Babu, Professor Emeritus, Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), University of Delhi and Swami Prem Parivartan (Peepal Baba), Founder, Give Me Trees Trust.

A number of institutions including the Federal Bank, Zee, South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Radha TMT, and SUEZ India Foundation, were partners in the initiative.

The event reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to building a powerful ecosystem that celebrates sustainability leadership, encourages innovation, and fosters partnerships for a greener and more resilient future. Through such initiatives, the Foundation continues to create platforms that inspire action, innovation, and measurable environmental impact across India.

S.No.

Category name

Organisation Name

1

Organic Farming Excellence Award

Sarvathobhadram Organics Society

2

Fateh Dhaliwal

Youth Sustainability Champion Award

3

Shashvat Dhiman

Youth Sustainability Champion Award

4

Community & Social Impact Awards

Subhash Bhau Jadhav, Waatavaran Climate Environment & Sustainability Foundation

5

Green School of the year

RPS International School, Gurugram Haryana

6

Green School of the year

Delhi Public School, NTPC, Vidyutnagar

7

Green Credit Community Champion Award

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)

8

ESG & Responsible Business Award

REC Limited

9

Animal Welfare & Ethical Living Leadership

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India)

10

Waste Reduction, Reuse & Recycling Excellence Award

Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation

11

Women Sustainability Champion Award

Ms. Seema Mishra, Secretary, Shivalik Jankalyan Samiti

Society

12

Grassroots Sustainability Leadership Award

Dhara Sansthan

13

Grassroots Sustainability Leadership Award

Deepak Kumar

14

Sustainable Aquaculture & Fisheries Excellence Award

Shramjivi Janata Sahayyak Mandal

15

Best Bioenergy (Biomass/Biofuels) Innovation Award

KIS Group – Sustainability

16

Urban Forestry & Greening Excellence Award

Jan Sakhthi Sangathan

17

Innovation in Sustainable Materials under the Green Building & Construction Awards

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur

18

Climate Finance Innovator Award

Tata Capital Limited

19

Sustainable Education & Green Campus Excellence Award

Social Action Mobilizer (Sparqued Social Foundation)

20

Excellence in Industrial Waste Management

Ion Exchange India Limited

21

Community Engagement Excellence Award

The Earth Saviours Foundation

22

For exemplary leadership in advancing sustainable industrial growth and environmental responsibility.

UP State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA)

23

Lifetime Contribution to Environmental Sustainability Award

Shri Krishnapal Yadav

24

Biodiversity Restoration & Community Greening Award

Respected Dr Ramji Jaimal,

AAPSI NGO

25

Community Sustainability & Eco-Social Impact Award

Respected Shri Shyam Sunder Paliwal, Father of Ecofeminism

26

Ecological Restoration & Mass Afforestation Award

Respected Swami Prem Parivartan (Peepal Baba), Founder and Managing Trustee of Give Me Trees Trust

27

Vishwa Ayurveda Ratna

Respected Shri Acharya Ji

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Respected Shri Acharya Balkrishna Ji was conferred with the Vishwa Ayurveda Ratna at the Net Green Foundation Earth Awards 2026 at UNESCO House, New Delhi.

Team Net Green Foundation
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