26-05-2025
Neeri's energy dialogues: Top scientists to brainstorm on sustainable transitions
Nagpur: In response to escalating climate urgency and soaring energy demands, the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) has convened a one-day brainstorming session, 'Energy Dialogues: Clean.
Viable. Inclusive', on Tuesday at a city hotel. The event will bring together leading scientists from IITs, NITs, and premier institutions, including IIT Jodhpur director Prof Avinash Kumar Agarwal, IIT Delhi's Prof SK Tyagi, LITU vice-chancellor Atul Vaidya, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research's Prof Vivek Polshettiwar, alongside experts from CSIR institutions. The session aims to draft a white paper on energy policy for submission to the govt, fostering evidence-based policymaking.
Led by Neeri director Dr S Venkata Mohan, a globally recognised expert in waste remediation, biorefineries, bioelectrochemical systems, and circular bioeconomy, the workshop will focus on three pillars: Clean, viable, and inclusive energy development.
As India strides toward its net-zero goals, the dialogue will explore actionable pathways in clean energy generation, emission control, green skilling, and carbon finance.
Addresing a press conference on Monday, Dr Mohan emphasised Neeri's pioneering role in advancing research on microbial electrochemical systems, biorefineries, and waste valorisation, stating, "Neeri is spearheading innovative solutions to drive a cleaner, smarter, and inclusive energy ecosystem."
The workshop will also address critical challenges in transitioning to sustainable energy. "Biomass, a renewable energy source, can replace fossil fuels through technologies like pyrolysis and gasification, which convert it into cleaner fuels.
However, inefficient biomass-burning devices in some regions contribute to poor air quality and health issues. Improving these technologies is vital for vulnerable communities," he said.
Carbon finance mechanisms, such as carbon credits, shall be highlighted as key to supporting sustainable biomass projects while meeting environmental standards during the conference.
The Energy Dialogues will also deal with equitable phasing-out of fossil fuel plants, emphasising the need for careful planning to avoid economic and environmental fallout.
"Retraining workers for renewable energy jobs and implementing robust emission control strategies for energy production and consumption are priorities. Technologies like green hydrogen, cleaner transportation, and carbon capture, paired with improved waste management, will help industries reduce pollution and align with net-zero targets," he said.
Chief scientist Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, alongside principal scientists Dr Avneesh Anshul and Dr Ankit Gupta, briefed the media, underscoring the workshop's role in fostering inter-sectoral collaboration. By uniting experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, Neeri's initiative aims to accelerate India's transition to a sustainable, inclusive energy future, ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.
