Bio for Climate & Sustainability

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Bio for Climate & Sustainability Initiative

Nurturing Solutions at the Intersection of Climate Change and Biological Sciences

The ‘Bio for Climate & Sustainability’* Programme at C-CAMP is a holistic problem‑solving initiative designed to address the root causes and accelerating drivers of climate change, while simultaneously mitigating its biological impacts on societal well‑being, particularly across the healthcare and agriculture sectors. Originally launched as the ‘Bio for Climate’* initiative, the Programme soon evolved to encompass the broader impact area of promoting sustainability. In doing so, the Programme positions biological sciences as a cornerstone for not only nurturing science‑based innovations for immediate climate resilience but also fostering long‑term pathways for climate adaptation.

The initiative aims to nurture a portfolio of next‑generation climate solutions, grounded in deep biological sciences, termed ‘Bio‑based Climate Solutions’. These are aimed at:

  • Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and their derivatives
  • Lowering the carbon footprint across life science sectors
  • Strengthening climate resilience in agriculture
  • Enhancing climate adaptability within healthcare systems

Here, the term ‘Bio-based Climate Solutions’ broadly refers to technologies that leverage deep biological concepts, which include solutions derived directly from biological systems (such as plants, microbes, enzymes, proteins, and other green-tech solutions) as well as solutions that converge on biological systems (including drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital-tech innovations in health and agri domains).

Since its inception, C‑CAMP has already supported more than 60 climate-focused bio-based innovations spanning sustainable food technologies, waste management solutions, advanced agricultural and industrial green tech, and clean water technologies. Nearly 20 of these climate solutions from the C‑CAMP portfolio are already in the market.

 

Announcing the ‘Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action’ 

Launched Under Bio for Climate & Sustainability Initiative, in collaboration with Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT)**

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainability & Climate Action is envisioned as an integrated node for identifying, funding, mentoring, deploying, and scaling a pipeline of sustainable, bio‑based climate solutions. Building on C-CAMP’s deep experience in advancing life science innovations and driving societal impact, the CoE will convene innovators, domain experts, societal stakeholders, and change‑makers to co‑create transformative, biology‑driven pathways for climate resilience and long‑term sustainability.

 

Mission: Harnessing Bio-based Innovative Solutions for Sustainability & Climate Impact

The rapid progression of climate change and its impacts on the most vulnerable sectors, such as environment, healthcare, and agriculture, are among the most pressing challenges society faces today. We aim to leverage sustainable technologies, drawing on the latest advancements in biological sciences, as powerful solutions for some of these critical issues.

 

Approach:

  • Nurture Problem-Specific Bio-Based Climate Solutions: Identify bio-based innovative solutions targeting significant challenges in the climate sector and foster them through investment, incubation, handholding, and mentorship support.
  • Drive Impact through Deployment & Adoption of Solutions: Facilitate the development, deployment, validation, scaling, and societal adoption of selected climate solutions for creating impact within India and beyond.

Themes:

  • Climate & Environment
To nurture and advance bio-based solutions that reduce carbon burden to mitigate climate change: These may range from carbon‑capturing and utilization technologies to low‑emission bioprocesses and nature‑based climate innovations. The CoE aims to accelerate such scalable pathways for decarbonisation and support a sustainable transition toward a low‑carbon future and a healthier environment.
 
  • Climate & Healthcare
To foster solutions that decouple societal health from climate change, by supporting innovations that address the vulnerability of health systems to climate‑driven challenges: The CoE aims to strengthen societal well‑being despite environmental volatility, and therefore, seeks to advance biology‑based approaches that enhance climate-linked disease resilience and safeguard public health. Along with this, the CoE is committed to promoting climate‑friendly health systems to build long‑term resilience.
 
  • Climate & Agriculture
To advance solutions that help ensure food security under changing climate by promoting innovations that strengthen agricultural resilience: The CoE intends to enable sustainable food production under growing climate stress. With this aim, CoE will advance bio‑based approaches that improve crop tolerance, optimise resources, and protect against climate‑linked pests and diseases, while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture and making it more climate‑friendly.
 
 
Envisaged Outcomes of the CoE:
  • A Portfolio of Climate Solutions: A diverse and robust portfolio of bio-based climate solutions addressing some of India’s most pressing climate‑related challenges, with potential relevance and applicability beyond India.
  • A Nurturing Ecosystem: A collaborative ecosystem that brings together climate‑relevant stakeholders from India and abroad to accelerate the development, validation, and scaling of future climate innovations.
  • Far‑Reaching Impact: Meaningful impact achieved by developing, validating, and scaling climate solutions within India, while also enabling their adoption and deployment across other geographies.

 

Call for Action: We invite partners with focus on ‘Sustainability & Climate Action’ to collaborate with us and help create impact within India, and beyond.

Connect with us: Please write to us at ‘climate[at]ccamp.res.in’ to connect with the Bio for Climate & Sustainability Programme at C-CAMP or to request more information.

** About Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT): AHT is a charitable foundation committed to empowering ideas and organizations that strive to build a more just, inclusive, and equitable world. Established in May 2000 by Maj. (Retd.) S. Nanjundiah in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the Trust is guided by its founding trustees — Mr. K. Dinesh (Co-founder of Infosys), Mrs. Asha Dinesh, Ms. Divvya Dinesh, and Ms. Deeksha Dinesh.

* ‘Bio for Climate’ & 'Bio for Climate & Sustainability' are copyrights of C-CAMP.