Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth Launched in India as UChicago Marks 10 Years in Delhi

UChicago’s Delhi Center Celebrates 10 Years of Impactful Research and Global Partnerships

Founded in 2014, the University of Chicago serves as a key platform for collaboration, supporting research and teaching in business, economics, law, policy, science, energy, medicine, public health, and culture. The University recently marked the 10th anniversary of its Center in Delhi, celebrating a decade of collaborations in fields such as liberal arts, medicine, and science.

The anniversary included a series of events, culminating in a year-long "Ideas to Impact" initiative focused on education, research, and addressing global challenges. Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth in India launched on October 30 in Chicago and inaugurated in India during the anniversary, aimed at balancing climate action with sustainable economic development. Supratik Guha, Faculty Director of the UChicago Center in Delhi and a professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, stated that the event was not just about celebrating past successes but also about looking forward to future opportunities, building impactful collaborations in critical areas such as liberal arts, social policy, economics, medicine, and science and technology.

Leni Chaudhuri, the Center's Executive Director, commented that from the beginning, the Center has been a catalyst for innovation, and research excellence, supporting talented students, and forging strong partnerships with leading institutions. The ICSG reflects UChicago’s commitment to global engagement. It focuses on climate economics, sustainable energy, and climate systems engineering, aiming to provide actionable solutions through collaboration with Indian researchers, policymakers, and industries. Supratik Guha highlighted the Institute's potential to influence data-driven policymaking in India. While acknowledging that AI's role in sustainability is still emerging, he noted that its effectiveness will become clearer in the coming years.

Over the past decade, the university has launched more than two dozen projects in India, collaborating with government and industry across eleven states. These projects have tackled challenges such as improving electricity markets, developing water pollution sensors, supporting farmers with weather forecasting, and aiding in the creation of emissions markets. Much of this work has been led by EPIC India, which will play a key role in the new Institute. Reflecting on these efforts, Guha noted the difference in problem-solving approaches, with Indian researchers often using temporary, makeshift solutions. While these can be effective in the short term, Guha stressed that they are unsustainable in the long run and emphasized the need for long-term innovation and efficiency.

The sustainability sector in India is poised for growth, driven by increased government and industry investments. Supratik Guha sees this as an opportunity for the emergence of "green jobs" in clean energy and emissions management. While acknowledging India's progress in research funding over the past two decades, he noted that the country still lags behind the U.S. and China in research intensity but remains optimistic about its future in sustainability. The initiative of the University of Chicago will continue to drive impactful research and innovation, particularly in sustainability, and remains optimistic about India’s future in addressing global challenges.

Editor's Note:

The University of Chicago's 10th anniversary of its Center in Delhi celebrates its commitment to climate and sustainable growth. The Institute is focused on data-driven policymaking in India, working to improve electricity markets, develop water pollution sensors, support farmers with weather forecasting, and aid in the creation of emissions markets. Through collaboration with Indian researchers, policymakers, and industries, UChicago aims to provide actionable solutions in climate economics, sustainable energy, and climate systems engineering. 

Skoobuzz hopes that this event will lead to the creation of more "green jobs" in clean energy and emissions management for students.