Marking its Silver Jubilee, the 25th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026 under the umbrella theme “Parivartan | Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development”, will be held from 25 to 27 February 2026 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi bringing together global leaders and stakeholders to advance transformative pathways for sustainable development.
The Summit will feature a dedicated thematic track titled “Net Zero Transition by Higher Education Institutes (HEIs): A Structured Approach”, led by the Emerson Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Studies, TERI School of Advanced Studies. The track recognises the critical role of Higher Education Institutions as change-makers in advancing climate action, sustainability leadership, and systemic transformation.
Higher Education Institutions are uniquely positioned to influence India’ s and the worlds net-zero ambitions through their academic ecosystems, operational footprints, research outputs, and community engagement. From energy consumption and infrastructure planning to curriculum design and innovation, HEIs have the potential to act as living laboratories for climate solutions while shaping environmentally conscious future leaders.
This thematic track focuses on moving beyond aspirational commitments towards a structured, measurable, and replicable framework for net-zero transitions within HEIs. It aims to provide a holistic approach that integrates governance mechanisms, institutional policies, carbon accounting, behavioural change, and technology adoption across campus operations and academic activities.
Through high-level discussions and expert insights, the session will explore pathways for reducing emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 categories, while aligning institutional sustainability efforts with national climate priorities and global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Emphasis will also be placed on data-driven decision-making, monitoring frameworks, and transparent reporting mechanisms.
The track brings together policymakers, academic leaders, sustainability practitioners, researchers, industry representatives, and students to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration. By showcasing best practices, policy enablers, and scalable models, the session seeks to empower HEIs to lead by example in India’s transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.