About This Event
Indian cities are facing a converging challenge at the intersection of extreme heat, housing, and carbon emissions. Rapid urbanisation and the scale-up of affordable housing have driven construction practices that prioritise speed and upfront costs over thermal performance and overall efficiency. As a result, large segments of urban housing, particularly for low- and middle-income households, experience poor thermal comfort, high indoor heat stress, and a growing dependence on mechanical cooling. At the same time, the use of material-intensive, thermally inefficient materials locks in high embodied carbon and contributes to heat entrapment within buildings and neighbourhoods, driving higher long-term space-cooling energy demand and associated operational emissions.
Shifting toward thermally comfortable, low-carbon housing can reduce indoor heat stress and neighbourhood heat build-up, reduce future cooling demand and household energy expenditure, and
avoid long-term carbon lock-in arising from both embodied emissions during the construction phase and decades of operational energy use.
This convening seeks to position housing not as a passive recipient of climate impacts, but as a strategic entry point to advance thermal comfort for millions of people, accelerate innovation, and unlock scalable investment pathways in Indian cities.
Objective of the Session
Innovation: To examine how emerging low-carbon, thermally efficient materials and super-efficient cooling solutions can move from niche pilots to mainstream implementation.
Market and procurement enablement: To explore market strategies — such as green public procurement and buyer pledges or platforms — to accelerate widespread adoption of existing proven solutions.
Finance to de-risk adoption and innovation: To identify public, private, and blended finance pathways for mobilising investment to drive the adoption of various solutions and deliver
affordable, thermally comfortable, low-carbon housing.
Agenda
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00–10:05 a.m. |
Welcome and opening remarks Introduction to the event, objectives, and framing of India’s opportunity in battery circularity. |
Ms. Akshima Ghate Managing Director, RMI India Program Mr. Shashvat Singh Senior Fellow, India Foundation |
| 10:15–10:30 a.m. |
Presentation: Charting a circular battery future for India Summary of key insights from the India Foundation–RMI report, highlighting the economic and mineral-security benefits of battery reuse, repurposing, and recycling. |
Ms. Marie McNamara Manager, RMI |
| 10:30–10:55 a.m. |
Remarks by senior thought leaders Leadership remarks on how technology-enabled battery circularity can strengthen industrial competitiveness, spur innovation, and position India as a leader in global battery value chains. |
Amb. Ruchira Kamboj Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; Member, India Foundation Governing Council Dr. Jon Creyts CEO, RMI |
| 10:55–11:25 a.m. |
Distinguished remarks Government perspectives on how policy direction, institutional priorities, and national strategies can advance India’s battery ecosystem and accelerate the circular economy. |
Dr. Anita Gupta Head of Scientific Division, Department of Science and Technology Ms. Suman Chandra Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy |
| 10:55–11:25 a.m. |
Moderated discussion: Accelerating battery circularity in India Guided discussion on implementation priorities, financing needs, and collaboration models to scale circularity. |
Moderated by Ms. Akshima Ghate Managing Director, RMI India Program |
| 11:25–11:30 a.m. |
Closing reflections Final remarks, synthesis of key themes, and next steps for collaboration under a Battery Circularity Lab initiative. |
Mr. Shaurya Doval Managing Director, Zeus Caps; Member, India Foundation Governing Council |
Speakers
Ankit Kalanki
Principal, Carbon-Free Buildings