Chandigarh: 16th April, 2025: The Department of Electrical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, in collaboration with Greenfinch, organized an insightful seminar on Sustainability and Climate Change. The event was graced by eminent speakers Dr. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO of GRIHA Council, and Mr. Ajai Bharat Arora, Vice President, Energy Auditing, Greenfinch, who shared their expertise with the faculty and students.
The session began with a felicitation of dignitaries by Prof. Rintu Khanna, Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, with faculty members including Dr. Manohar Singh and Dr. Jaimala Gambhir, Associate Professors, along with students of the institute.
Dr. Shabnam Bassi, also serving as Director of the Sustainable Buildings Division at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), drew attention to the pressing issue of climate change and the building sector’s pivotal role in climate action. She elaborated on global commitments such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Kyoto Protocol. Her session also focused on India's national strategies like the Panchamrit—a five-point commitment towards mitigating climate change—and the goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. Drawing from her extensive experience, including her tenure with the United Nations Development Programme and Bureau of Energy Efficiency, she provided valuable insights into energy efficiency in commercial buildings and policy developments in the Indian construction sector.
Mr. Ajai Bharat Arora, a seasoned chemical engineer with over four decades of experience in energy management and process optimization, shared key strategies for reducing carbon footprints in industries and commercial infrastructures. He engaged the audience with thought-provoking discussions on the circular economy, the Dimmer Effect on Earth, and the real-world implications of global warming and climate change. Sustainability is not just a subject to be discussed; it is an integral part of our daily lives, he emphasized.
The seminar concluded with an engaging Q&A session and left the attendees with renewed awareness and commitment towards sustainable practices and climate-conscious innovation.