New Delhi, 13 February 2024: The Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, and independent think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) are jointly set to launch a first-of-its-kind course, ‘Reaching Net Zero.’ The online self-paced certificate course, which will be hosted by the global learning platform Apolitical, is designed especially for the Indian market, and will commence on 13 February 2025. It is suitable for policymakers, senior executives in public-sector banks and financial institutions, decision-makers, corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams, and sustainability officers from India's banking, corporate, and public sectors who seek to develop confidence in researching, discussing, and connecting their work to the net zero efforts as well as academia and training institutes.

India's net zero policy is set to transform the economy, reshaping industries, creating green jobs, and attracting investment in sustainable technologies. It will also strengthen energy security and build resilience against climate risks. The Reaching Net Zero for India course provides a comprehensive overview of the net zero target, equipping Indian policymakers and industry leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions ahead of the curve on climate and sustainability challenges.

The transition to a green economy, which continues to gather pace in India, presents a wealth of opportunities for jobs, growth, and sustainability. The Smith School and CEEW-designed course will cover, among other topics, the meaning and science of net zero, the political ramifications of climate change, and net zero policies, examining their specific implications for India’s development trajectory, energy security, markets, job creation, and climate risks to investments. Participants will explore the science underpinning net zero and engage with policies designed to reach it. They will also gain an insight into how they can manage net zero in their own context.

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, “The climate is the economy now, and the road to net zero will have far-reaching implications on all levels of government, portfolios of banking institutions, quality of life, and balance sheets of businesses. This course on net zero comes at a critical time and decade — it will build the capacity of Indian decision-makers and equip them for a unique developmental trajectory where growth must happen with decarbonisation.”

Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Oxford Smith School, comments, “Our shared ambition is for this course to support India’s progress towards net zero and sustainable development, as well being a key global actor on addressing climate change. As long as human activities continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, global temperatures will keep rising with countries like India often being the most vulnerable to devastating climate impacts. We hope this course will make the latest science on achieving net zero and sustainable development accessible across policy and decision makers, to inform decisions that unlock progress.”

The course will feature the expertise and content of the Smith School’s Indian academics, including Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School and Director of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, Dr Anupama Sen, Head of Policy Engagement for the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, Ranjita Rajan, Business Fellow, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, leaders and subject matter experts from CEEW, including Dr Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Senior Fellow who specialises in low-carbon economies and carbon markets.

Click here for more information about the course.
For enquiries about the course launch date, individual or group participation or any other general enquiry, please email [email protected].

About CEEW

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions and among the world’s top climate think tanks. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. The Council addresses pressing global challenges through an integrated and internationally focused approach. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public. CEEW has a footprint in over 20 Indian states and has repeatedly featured among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @CEEWIndia for the latest updates.

About the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

The Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford equips enterprises to achieve net zero emissions and sustainable development goals, through world-leading research, teaching and partnerships.

About Apolitical

Apolitical is the world’s largest online community of public servants, with a mission to build 21st-century governments that work for people and the planet. Apolitical is used by 250,000 public servants and policymakers in 160 countries to find and share best practices through communities of peers, and to upskill with short online courses on 21st century government priorities. Members range from mayors and ministers to policy pioneers and digital innovators. Apolitical’s courses are co-developed with leading universities and research institutions, including Oxford, the London School of Economics and Georgetown. The Government Climate Campus learning programme was nominated for the 2024 Earthshot Prize and included in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas for 2024.