The climate crisis demands immediate action and collective effort across countries, industries, and communities with local, indigenous innovations and advanced, worldwide technological advancements coming together to achieve a sustainable, net-zero future. To accelerate this momentum, IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), India’s leading deep-tech innovation and startup incubation ecosystem, and India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), in association with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is hosting Envision 2025 for its third edition from January 30 to February 1, 2025. With the theme for this edition, ‘Ground Zero for Net-Zero’, the event features expert sessions, panel discussions, deep-dive workshops, and technology showcases uniting grassroots initiatives and global stakeholders in a combined call to action.

The event was inaugurated by IITM Director Professor V Kamakoti, alongside IITM Research Park Group CEO Nat Malupillai, IITMRP Professor-in-Charge Radhakrishnan G Pillai, IITMRP Head of Energy Program Anson Sando, IITMRP Head of Marketing Reema Saha, and IESA Founder & Chairperson Rahul Walawalkar.

As a special highlight, renowned innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is also participating in an exclusive dialogue on sustainable development and energy innovation The three-day event features discussions alongside key dignitaries such as Mr. Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary – MNRE, Ms. Sudha Ramen from the State Planning Commission, Tamil Nadu, and Ms. Halima Hollan from the British Deputy High Commission for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and Silai Zaki, Australian Consul General in Chennai, among others. Leading IITM professors and industry experts from organizations such as First Solar, Ohmium, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, JSW, and more will also share their insights on the future of sustainable energy solutions. An exclusive screening of a short film on the effects of climate change centered around Pulicat Lake featuring a community-led cast along with
actors such as Adithi Balan and Charles Vinoth, is also part of this conference.

Inaugurating the event, Professor V Kamakoti said, “We must approach scaling solutions sustainably. This is where academia, industry, and stakeholders must collaborate to ensure we achieve our goals. For every challenge, we have demonstrated that there is a solution. We must harness energy in all possible ways and work toward net zero.”

He encouraged everyone to align research with at least two to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that “Addressing sustainability in business cannot be neglected or overlooked. Encouraging entrepreneurship, detailed R&D, and awareness programs are essential in this journey.” IIT Madras Research Park CEO Nat Malupillai, addressing the audience, said, “Climate change is a real and global problem. We are seeing a higher frequency of scorching summers, flash floods, wildfires, droughts, and many other such incidents. IIT Madras Research Park’s Envision 2025 conference brings together some of the best minds from academia, industry, startups, and government to discuss advancements in technology, including solar and wind energy, energy storage techniques, transport and mobility, green buildings, hydrogen fuel, heating and cooling, and the favorable
policies and investments needed to bring these solutions to the mainstream. We have several companies and startups at IIT Madras Research Park that are pioneering such work and will contribute towards India’s Net Zero commitments.”

IITM Research Park Head of Energy Program Anson said, “Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and we are perhaps among the last generations with the ability to take decisive action. At IITM Research Park, we are driving a technology-led transformation to enable a rapid transition. The EnVision conference is one of the marquee initiatives that serves both as a reminder of the gravity of the problem at hand and as an opportunity to celebrate progress and the potential for innovation to solves not just local and national challenges but global ones as well.”

“As we push forward in our journey towards net-zero, it’s clear that no single organization, industry, or country can do it alone. The scale of the energy transition demands a global collaboration platform that brings together diverse stakeholders to bridge the gap between ambition and action. This is why EnVision 2025: Ground Zero for Net Zero is such a powerful platform. It’s not just a conference—it’s a convergence of thought leaders from industry, academia, startups, and government, all working towards accelerating a sustainable and resilient energy future,” noted IESA
Founder & Chairperson Rahul Walawalkar.

This year’s conference is bringing together nearly 700 diverse stakeholders aiming to amplify its impact with 50+ expert speakers and 14+ critical energy themes, including Green Buildings. Strengthening the Grid for Renewables, Motors and Controllers, Carbon Capture, Waste to Energy, Solar and Wind Energy, Electric Mobility, Energy Storage, Nuclear Energy, Climate Finance, Climate Policy, Circular Economy, and Green Hydrogen. The second edition of “Pitch to Win” also showcases innovative climate tech solutions from startups.

Find the links to the featured publications below:

ET Energy World | Hindu Business Line | Press network of India | Energetica | Construction Week | DD Tamil