Promoting 100% renewable energy
Climate Change & Clean Energy Workshop – Aspire India Scholars Programme (AISP-2024)
As part of the Aspire India Scholars Programme (AISP-2024), the flagship summer school designed for students of Grades 9 to 12, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) hosted an immersive thematic workshop on Climate Change and Clean Energy. Organized by the International Institute for Higher Education Research & Capacity Building (IIHEd), this workshop introduced young scholars to one of the most urgent challenges of our time—global climate change—and the innovative clean-energy solutions shaping the future.
The workshop offered participants an interdisciplinary learning experience, combining scientific understanding, policy perspectives, emerging technologies, and sustainability-driven innovation. Through interactive sessions, case-based discussions, and guided activities, students explored the causes and impacts of climate change, the global transition to renewable energy, and the critical role of youth in shaping a climate-resilient world.
Aligned with JGU’s commitment to environmental leadership and its vision for a greener campus, the session encouraged students to engage with real-world climate challenges. Scholars examined examples from India and across the globe—ranging from solar and wind energy to electric mobility, energy storage, and community-led sustainability initiatives.
The Climate Change & Clean Energy workshop is one of the key thematic pillars of AISP, reflecting the programme’s mission to nurture globally aware, socially responsible young leaders. Through hands-on learning, expert interactions, and collaborative mini-projects, students gained valuable insights into the future of energy, sustainable development, and environmental governance.
By hosting this workshop, JGU continues to empower school students to understand and respond to planetary issues, fostering the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and climate champions.
JGU’s Commitment to Clean Energy & Global Climate Goals
O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is deeply committed to building a campus powered by clean, reliable, and renewable sources of energy. As a pioneering institution in sustainability-focused higher education, JGU aligns its energy transition with global priorities under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action.
The university’s long-term vision is to progressively move toward 100% renewable energy, creating a campus ecosystem where environmental responsibility and academic excellence thrive together. This commitment is embedded in JGU’s sustainability framework, institutional policies, and ongoing operational improvements. By placing sustainability at the core of its institutional strategy, JGU aims not only to reduce emissions but also to model sustainable practices for universities across India and around the world.
This vision is driven by the belief that universities must lead by example—demonstrating feasible, scalable, and measurable pathways toward climate resilience. Through proactive initiatives, strategic investments, and academic engagement, JGU is steadily advancing a future where the campus can rely entirely on renewable power.
Campus-Wide Renewable Energy Infrastructure & Efficiency Measures
JGU is rapidly expanding its renewable energy infrastructure with a strong focus on solar power, one of the most abundant and feasible clean-energy options for Indian campuses. The installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across academic buildings, hostels, and administrative blocks is a central component of this effort. The university continues to explore additional renewable technologies and green power procurement models that align with international benchmarks for carbon-neutral campuses.
To complement clean-energy generation, JGU has adopted intelligent energy management systems that allow continuous monitoring and optimisation of energy consumption. These systems ensure efficient use of resources, reduce wastage, and enhance operational stability. Energy-efficient lighting, automated building controls, and retrofitted appliances further support the transition toward low-carbon operations.
Together, these infrastructural advancements form the backbone of JGU’s renewable energy roadmap. It strengthens the university’s capacity to meet future energy demands sustainably and responsibly.
Building Renewable Energy Literacy Through Research & Education
As a global university, JGU recognises that clean-energy transitions require not only technological solutions but also informed, empowered communities. The university therefore integrates renewable energy education into its curriculum, research agenda, and student engagement programmes.
Students gain exposure to sustainability issues through interdisciplinary courses, climate-focused electives, and research projects in fields such as environmental science, public policy, international relations, and global governance. Workshops, seminars, and immersive programmes—such as thematic sessions on climate change and clean energy under the Aspire India Scholars Programme—encourage young learners to explore the science, economics, and policy dimensions of energy transitions.
Through its centres and institutes, JGU also promotes research on decarbonisation pathways, energy justice, climate negotiations, and sustainable development. This academic integration transforms the campus into a living sustainability laboratory, where learners can observe and analyse real-time changes in energy practices, making JGU a hub for innovation and thought leadership in renewable energy.
Advancing Clean Mobility & Low-Carbon Campus Operations
A major component of JGU’s clean-energy strategy includes the transformation of campus mobility. The university has initiated a shift from fuel-based internal transport to electric vehicles (EVs), including electric golf carts, utility vehicles, and mopeds. The installation of EV charging stations across the campus ensures seamless adoption of electric mobility, encouraging low-carbon commuting and reducing local emissions.
Additionally, JGU prioritises green-building principles, resource-efficient procurement, eco-friendly materials, and waste minimisation strategies that work in tandem with clean energy goals. These initiatives collectively reduce the university’s environmental footprint while improving operational resilience.
By integrating energy efficiency, clean mobility, and sustainability-oriented campus planning, JGU is building a holistic model of climate-responsive operations.
A Roadmap Towards a Carbon-Neutral and Renewable-Powered Future
JGU’s journey toward 100% renewable energy is rooted in long-term environmental stewardship and responsible institutional governance. By investing in clean energy systems, adopting innovative technologies, and fostering sustainability-oriented behavioural change, the university strengthens its energy security while reducing operational costs and emissions.
As one of India’s leading universities committed to climate action, JGU seeks to inspire other institutions by demonstrating how renewable energy solutions can be implemented at scale. Through collaborations, policy engagement, research-driven insights, and community participation, the university continues to pave the way for a greener and more resilient future.
With a vision grounded in sustainability and a strategy powered by innovation, O.P. Jindal Global University is actively advancing its mission to become a campus driven entirely by clean, renewable energy.
