Chandrakanta Kesavan Centre for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions

Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan and his wife, Ms. Alka Kesavan donated USD 2.5 million for supporting the Chandrakanta Kesavan Centre for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions. Instituted in his Mother's name, the Centre focuses on policy, education, communications, and outreach efforts aimed at implementing technology and science-based solutions in the country.


  • To make IIT Kanpur carbon neutral as well as serve as a research and advisory institute on energy policy and climate change with the additional task of developing low carbon technologies which inspire and support other institutes towards sustainability.
  • To promote communication and outreach related to energy technology and policy matters, climate issues and solutions.
  • To conduct appropriate outreach and dissemination programs to promote energy technology and policy innovations and to conduct aligned academic and research programs.

Vision:

To emerge as a go-to-destination for energy technology, policy and climate change solutions. To help IITK become the first carbon neutral institute in India by 2027 which may inspire other institutes for adopting sustainable practices.

Values:

The Center holds environment friendly principles with an innovation seeking and a sustainably transformative attitude. The core values include:

  • Empathy
  • Innovation
  • Congenial environment
  • Team player

About the Donor


After graduating with a B.Tech. degree in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan went on to complete his PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad and an M.S. from the Technology and Policy Program at MIT. He served as Chairman and CEO of ICF International Inc. (www.icf.com) for over 20 years. With over 7000 employees, ICF is one of the world's largest specialty consulting firms specializing in four broad areas: energy and environment, health and social programs, disaster management, and digital transformation and technology services. He serves on the Boards of several non-profits and corporations in the United States. For his entrepreneurial excellence, in 2010, Mr. Kesavan was conferred with the Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT Kanpur. Sudhakar and Alka Kesavan have pledged USD 2.5 M for supporting various activities of the Centre.

1. 14 March 2022: Sensor network of air quality monitoring launched in Jaipur

“A sensor network of air quality monitoring in the city of Jaipur”, was launched on 14 March 2022 in collaboration with Rajasthan Pollution Control Board. Live data on PM2.5, PM10 and AQI will be sent from 40 locations by the sensors. This project is supported by Ericsson and Airtel is the network partner.


Prof. S.N. Tripathi, faculty member of the Center, participated in this event.


2. 12 March 2022: Visit to 14 Trees Foundation, Pune

As a part of carbon sequestration activity of the center, a Chandrakanta Kesavan Grove at 14trees project site (14treesfoundation.org) in Pune was created to plant 51 trees in the name of faculty, board members and invited speakers, acknowledging centre's commitment towards the environmental cause.


3. 11 March 2022: Exploratory workshop on “Balancing the carbon neutrality and sustainability”

Exploratory workshop on "Balancing the Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability" was co-organized by Chandrakanta Kesavan Center for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions, IIT Kanpur, 14 Trees Foundation and Ecology Society on 11 March 2022 at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, India.


4. 24 February 2022: One-day workshop on “IAQ and Sustainability Challenges” by Dr. Anubha Goel

A technical workshop titled 'IAQ and Sustainability Challenges', was organized by the Women's cell of ISHARAE -DC (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers - Delhi Chapter). The workshop on February 24, 2022 started with a lecture by Dr. Anubha Goel (Center faculty), a member of the Central Working Committee of the ISHRAE- DC.

5. 7 Feb - 12 March 2022: Inaugural session of the “Online training program on air quality management”

An online training program on air quality management was conducted from 7th February to 12th March 2022 by National Knowledge Network (NKN). This program was supported by the World Bank and was proposed to give training to Institute of Repute (IoR), State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) for achieving National Clean Air Program (NCAP) goals.


6. 10-11 February 2022: UK-India SUNRISE symposium on “Transition to NetZero”

Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering and Chandrakanta Kesavan Center for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions (CKCEPCS) co-organized the UK-India SUNRISE symposium on "Transition to NetZero" on 10-11 February 2022, virtually. The theme for the symposium was "Transition to Net Zero" and it showcased technology development sessions on food, water, energy, and Net Zero.


7. Board Meeting on 8th December 2021 at IITK Extension Center in Noida

The meeting was attended in person by Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director IITK,DoRD, DoRA, Prof. Ashish Garg, Ms. Shibani Ghosh, Prof. Pradip Swarnakar while other board members and Center faculty members joined online. A presentation was made by Prof. Ashish Garg followed by the discussions.