Executive Net-Zero Strategy Course concludes at Nalanda University; 50 Officials Certified as Net-Zero Ambassadors

Kathmandu: Nalanda University has successfully concluded its five-day Executive Certificate Course on Net-Zero Strategy. 

At the conclusion of the programme, held from 25 to 29 December 2025 at the Nalanda campus in Rajgir, India, the university awarded 50 officials and professionals with certification as Net-Zero Ambassadors, highlighting a growing commitment to climate leadership and sustainable governance.

Throughout the programme, participants gained an integrated understanding of energy systems, renewable energy, water and waste management, sustainable mobility, materials, biodiversity, behavioural change, and mitigation and adaptation strategies. This comprehensive approach enabled them to develop practical and actionable Net-Zero roadmaps aligned with national priorities and global climate commitments.

The inaugural session began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by eminent dignitaries, including Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University; Dr. Rajendra Singh, renowned environmentalist, Magsaysay Award recipient and widely known as the “Waterman of India”; Professor Chetan Singh Solanki, the “Solar Man of India”; Rajeev Kathpalia, Architect and Managing Partner at Vastu Shilpa Consultants; and Apurva Chaturvedi, Senior Strategic Clean Energy Advisor and Member of the Net-Zero Steering Committee.

A key highlight of the first day was a public lecture by Dr. Rajendra Singh on “Water for Net-Zero,” where he emphasized the central role of water in climate action, stating that “climate is water, and water is climate.” He underscored the importance of community-led water stewardship, indigenous knowledge systems, and the deep connection between water security and climate resilience.

Addressing the participants, Professor Sachin Chaturvedi noted that Nalanda University’s Net-Zero initiative is not merely a technological exercise but a civilizational responsibility. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of ancient Nalanda, he stressed the need to harmonize knowledge, ethics, and ecological consciousness, reaffirming the role of universities as living laboratories for sustainable futures.

Sharing his reflections, Nepali delegate and environmental Advocate Janak Prasad Pandey remarked that Nalanda University is deeply connected with nature and actively promotes a healthy and sustainable environment. He observed that the university strongly upholds the core climate principles of mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and the loss and damage perspective, adding that the campus reflects the true spirit of the Swachh Bharat Mission through its cleanliness and environmental stewardship.

Pandey also shared his views on the Koshi River, often referred to as the “Sorrow of Bihar.” He highlighted that annual flooding of the Koshi severely affects communities in both Nepal and India, making it a shared transboundary challenge for the two countries.

Emphasizing the need for regional cooperation, he suggested exploring the diversion and management of at least three tributaries out of the seven major rivers of the Koshi system originating in the Nepal Himalayas, as part of a long-term, sustainable flood mitigation and water management strategy.

The valedictory session was addressed by Upendra Tripathy, former Secretary to the Government of India, after which certificates were presented to the participants, formally recognizing them as Certified Net-Zero Ambassadors.

The intensive programme brought together policymakers, government officials, sustainability experts, architects, engineers, researchers, and practitioners from India, Nepal, and Indonesia. The course addressed the scientific, policy, technological, and ethical dimensions of the global transition towards Net Zero, offering participants both strategic perspectives and practical tools.

Following the closing ceremony, participants shared their reflections on Net-Zero strategies and expressed commitment to future programmes and collaborative climate initiatives, reinforcing the programme’s broader impact on regional and global climate action.