The Climate Conundrum Podcast

Summary The conversation delves into the outcomes of COP30, focusing on climate finance, the implementation of commitments, and the challenges faced by developing countries. Key themes include the cautious optimism surrounding the conference, the importance of adaptation finance, and the need for developed countries to fulfill their financial obligations. The discussion also highlights India's...

In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji engages with textile leaders Robert Antoshak and Tricia Carey to explore the intricate relationship between fashion, textiles, and climate change. The conversation delves into the complexities of the textile supply chain, the role of fibers in sustainability, the impact of US trade tariffs, and the future of textile production i...

This episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast delves into the critical issue of sea level rise and its implications for coastal cities, particularly in India. Host Sanika Diwanji is joined by Dr. Indu Murthy, who discusses the science behind sea level rise, the vulnerability of urban areas, and the socio-economic impacts on communities. The conversation highlights the importance of ecosystem-based...

In this episode, Sanika Diwanji and Saurabh Kumar, VP of GEAPP India, discuss the critical themes of energy equity and justice, particularly in the context of India's energy transition. They highlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities, the importance of decentralized renewable energy, and the role of financing in achieving a just energy transition. The episode also addresses India's...

📢 The Future of Our Cities: Green, Just, Liveable? 🌍🏙️Urbanization is shaping our climate future. Cities occupy only 3% of the world’s land but generate over 70% of global CO₂ emissions. With 416 million new urban residents expected in India by 2050, how we plan our cities today will determine the sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity of our future. In this episode of the Climate Conundrum...

In this episode of The Climate Conundrum Podcast , host Sanika Diwanji sits down with Gopi Warrier , Managing Editor of Mongabay-India, to explore the evolution of environmental journalism in India. With stories spanning grassroots movements, climate policy, and the delicate balance between journalism and activism, this conversation sheds light on how storytelling shapes public opinion and drives...

In this episode host Sanika Diwanji dives into the intersection of #climateresilience and #publichealth , joined by Abhiyant Tiwari, a leading expert in climate resilience and health at #nrdc India. The episode highlights: Key Themes: Climate Change and Public Health Interlinkages: Abhiyant explains how climate change exacerbates health risks, from heat stress and vector-borne diseases to air poll...

In this episode of The Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji is joined by Abinash Mohanty, Global Sector Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at IPE Global, to unpack the outcomes of COP29. The discussion covers: - The $300 billion annual climate finance deal finalized at COP29 and India’s strong objections to it. - The shift in focus to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and...

In this episode of Climate Conundrum , we dive deep into the topic of climate finance as we prepare for COP29 , dubbed the Finance COP . Sanika Diwanji sits down with Arjun Dutt , Senior Program Lead, Center for Energy Finance at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), to unpack the critical role finance plays in global climate action. We break down: What climate finance is and why it...

In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, we dive deep into the evolving world of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) with Vipul Arora, author of The Essence of ESG and partner at Sattva Consulting. We explore the ethical challenges and opportunities within the ESG framework, focusing on how businesses can move beyond compliance to create meaningful, long-term impact. Vipul shares...

In this episode of Climate Conundrum, we sit down with Vipul Arora, a leading expert in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), to break down what ESG truly means and why it’s becoming a non-negotiable factor for businesses worldwide. 🌍 Vipul explains how ESG goes beyond sustainability buzzwords to impact real-world business strategies, long-term growth, and ethical governance. We dive into...

In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji interviews Unnikrishnan Nair, Assistant Director of Climate Change and Sustainability at the Commonwealth Secretariat, about the vital role of international cooperation in tackling climate change. Join us as we explore: - How the Commonwealth Secretariat supports small island and vulnerable nations in addressing coastal erosion...

In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, we explore the growing mental health challenges linked to climate change, particularly eco-anxiety. Joined by Barkha Bajaj, a renowned psychologist and founder of Unalome Therapy, we dive into the psychological impacts of climate change on different communities, especially in India. From the stress faced by farmers to the anxiety of urban youth, th...

In this deep-dive episode, join Sanika Diwanji and economist Ajay Shah as they explore the intricacies of India's energy landscape. During the course of this hour-long conversation, we break down the fundamentals of energy—what it is and why it matters—before moving into the critical economic aspects of power generation, distribution, and storage. The discussion doesn't stop there. We tack...

On this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, host Sanika Diwanji sits down with carbon market expert Sandeep Roy Choudhury to unpack the essentials of carbon markets. What you'll learn: - The fundamentals of carbon markets - Global climate trends and their impact - India's carbon market policy and areas of interest - Challenges and Opportunities Join us for an in-depth exploration of...

In Part 2 of the "Climate Conundrum" podcast episode on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), Zerin Osho highlights the significant role of the waste sector in India's overall emissions, alongside the agriculture sector and logistics and transport. She emphasizes the direct link between SLCPs and the accelerated melting of polar and Himalayan ice caps, framing this as a critical ge...

In this episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, hosts Sanika Diwanji and Zerin Osho, Director for the India Program at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, delve into the often overlooked but critical topic of non-CO2 emission, that are categorised as Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), and their impact on climate change. While CO2 often takes the spotlight in climate di...

A freewheeling, myth-busting chat on all things food! Joining us this time is Radhika Mittal who helps us understand the basics of sustainable food systems and how there is a symbiotic relationship between what we eat and the climate. With it, she also helps bust the many myths surrounding food, sustainability and climate-friendly diets.

This is an absolutely special episode as we got to have a candid yet in-depth chat with Dr. Ajay Mathur, Directorate General of the International Solar Alliance about the current global landscape of the solar sector, the priority policy areas and the challenges as well as opportunities facing the sector globally at this point. He also highlights some key data points about India's progress on its s...

In the fourth episode of the Climate Conundrum Podcast, waste management expert, Hamsa Iyer brings out a plethora of interesting facets of about the state of waste management in India and also presents some hard hitting facts. The freewheeling discussion touches upon numerous aspects of this complex topic - right from the life cycle of our everyday trash to landfills , circularity and composting !...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Climate Conundrum podcast! Join host Sanika Diwanji as she sits down with Siddharth Desai, Jt. Managing Director at Kishor Pumps and a water security expert, for a deep dive into the complexities of water management, conservation, equitable distribution and climate change in India. Explore the challenges, solutions, and silver linings in India's wat...

In this episode, join host Sanika Diwanji and climate expert Aditya Valiathan Pillai as they decode the mysteries of heat waves in India. From understanding the science behind heat waves to exploring India's Heat Action Plans and policy decisions, discover how we can tackle this burning issue. Reference Readings: 

Join host Sanika Diwanji in the debut episode of "The Climate Conundrum" as she engages in a candid chat with climate scientist Dr. Anoop Mahajan. Together, they unravel the fundamental question: What is climate change?  Delve into the intricacies of measuring climate change and its impacts through the scientific lens. From dissecting carbon emissions to exploring the significance of polar regions...