Pondicherry University unveiled its landmark report, “Pondicherry University Roadmap for Net Zero Carbon 2035”, during the International Conference on Energy and Water for Sustainable Environment 2025, jointly organized by the Department of Green Energy Technology, Pondicherry University (India), and the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka). The road map booklet was released by Prof. P. Prakash Babu, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University, along with the dignitaries, Madam France Marquet, Trustee, Madanjeet Singh Foundation, Mr. Toine van Megen, Co-Founder, Auroville Consulting, Prof. R. Arun Prasath, UNESCO Chairholder, to promote Renewable and Clean Energy for Sustainable Development, Pondicherry University, Prof. B. M. Jaffar Ali, Dean of the school, and Prof. Lalith Rajapakse, UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Resource Management in South Asia, Sri Lanka.
The report was prepared under the guidance of Prof. R. Arun Prasath, UNESCO Chair on RECSD and Convenor of ICEWSE 2025, along with Mr. Himanshu Prajapati, Sustainability Lead, and Dr. Dwipen Boruah, Global Sustainable Energy Solutions, India. The report charts a bold, forward-looking strategy for the University to eliminate or offset its carbon emissions and establish itself as a model of institutional leadership in climate action, well ahead of India’s national commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2070. The initiative traces its roots back to Prof. R. Arun Prasath and his team’s project proposal on Pondicherry University for a “Solar Campus” in 2012, which has contributed to promoting Solar Energy Generation in the campus with a current installed capacity of ~2.6 MWp in 2021, making Pondicherry University one of the largest affordable and clean energy generation in an educational institution in India. Now, it's another mission target to make Pondicherry University a " Net Zero Carbon by 2035. This proposal proposes a phased, systematic approach for the University to achieve Net Zero. The report includes the preparation of a comprehensive GHG inventory covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for the decade between 2014 and 2024. This inventory was prepared using the Sustainium.io carbon accounting and tracking platform, which aligns with international standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The key highlights of the roadmap include (i) the successful establishment of solar power plants, which generate nearly 3.5 million units annually from 2021 onwards, (ii) the roadmap proposes achieving Net Zero through clearly defined interim targets for 2035, (iii) decarbonization, and (iv) third-party validation. The Net Zero Carbon 2035 Roadmap is envisioned not just as an internal plan for Pondicherry University but as a blueprint for other universities and institutions across India and South Asia. By showcasing measurable milestones, transparent accounting, and a combination of renewable energy, efficiency, mobility, and procurement measures, the report provides a replicable framework.
University Releases Roadmap to Achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2035 in the International Conference on Energy and Water for Sustainable Environment at Pondicherry University.
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