From Ideas to Action: How MC2 is Shaping Climate Tech for the Future

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, where innovation and collaboration stand as the twin pillars of sustainability, an exclusive gathering of changemakers unfolded in the heart of India. The Mosambi Climate Conference (MC2), hosted by the Climate Collective Foundation, brought together over 200 influential leaders in climate technology, investment, and policy to discuss and drive real, actionable change for the Global South.

Held on March 20-21 in New Delhi, MC2 served as more than just a conference; it was a convergence of thought leaders, policymakers, investors, and startup pioneers determined to accelerate the deployment of climate tech solutions. With representation from international organizations, government bodies, and leading enterprises, the event underscored the urgent need to foster South-South collaboration and scale impactful climate innovations.

Mosambi Climate Conference: A Call for Collective Action

Setting the stage for this high-stakes dialogue, Nalin Agarwal, Founding Partner of Climate Collective, emphasized the need for breaking silos in climate action. “The climate crisis is too vast for any single entity to solve alone. We need to foster collaborations and align efforts toward tangible outcomes,” he remarked in his inaugural address. “By strengthening South-South cooperation, we can create a robust climate tech startup ecosystem that rapidly scales innovation and impact across developing economies.”

His words resonated throughout the event, as MC2 aimed to bridge the gaps between policy, investment, and technological advancements, ensuring that startups and innovators from India and the Global South receive the support needed to thrive.

The conference commenced with a compelling keynote address by Saurabh Kumar, Vice President - India at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). A veteran in clean energy transition, Kumar highlighted the critical need for power-grid modernization and digital public infrastructure (DPI) to enhance grid resilience. Drawing on his pioneering work with the UJALA scheme, he illustrated how digital innovation can optimize energy distribution, minimize losses, and accelerate renewable adoption.

Another thought-provoking keynote was delivered by Uday Khemka, Vice Chairman of SUN Group and a stalwart advocate for climate action. Khemka introduced his ambitious initiative—Green AI for Learning (GRAIL)—which seeks to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with climate innovation. “AI can serve as a powerful tool for climate adaptation, from predictive analytics for extreme weather events to optimizing supply chains for carbon neutrality,” he asserted.

The second day saw an inspiring session by Mirik Gogri, Principal at Spectrum Impact, who provided a deeply personal account of his journey into climate advocacy. He stressed the importance of transparency in multi-stakeholder partnerships and the need for dynamic alignment in addressing the climate crisis.

Tackling Critical Climate Challenges: Panel Highlights

MC2 was packed with insightful discussions, each aimed at dissecting and addressing the pressing challenges in climate technology and policy.

• Can AI Save the Planet?
  A panel exploring AI’s role in climate mitigation featured insights from leading experts, including Ruchira Shukla (Co-Founder, Synapses) and Sundeep Reddy Mallu (Co-Founder, Resilience AI). They shared real-world applications of AI in agriculture, disaster management, and carbon tracking, highlighting its potential to revolutionize climate action.

• Why Gender Equity Matters in Climate Tech
  This session, featuring Alexandra Khripko (Ecosystem Partnerships Manager, Third Derivative) and Sonal Shukla (Co-Founder, econscious), delved into systemic gender gaps in climate innovation. The discussion underscored the importance of inclusive policymaking and mentorship programs to empower women-led climate solutions.

• India’s Edge in Deep Climate Tech
  Experts from IIT Madras Research Park, Ankur Capital, and Third Derivative examined India's strengths in emerging climate technologies. With its vast talent pool and increasing investment in renewable energy, the nation is poised to become a global leader in carbon capture, green hydrogen, and sustainable materials.

A Milestone for South-South Collaboration

One of the most significant outcomes of MC2 was the launch of the South-South Collective for the Climate (S2C2)—a global network aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration among enterprise support organizations. With founding members from Egypt, Vietnam, Kenya, and the Indian Ocean Islands, S2C2 seeks to streamline research, fundraising, and knowledge-sharing across the Global South.

Further amplifying collaboration, MC2 hosted exclusive roundtables featuring industry leaders like Swapan Mehra (Founder, Iora Ecological Solutions) and Chetan Krishna (Head of Research & Diligence, Third Derivative). These discussions centered on innovative financing mechanisms, policy recommendations, and scaling strategies for climate tech startups.

Startups at the Forefront of Global Climate Policy

A candid fireside chat featuring Kapil Narula (Senior Analyst, Climate Champions Team) and Gustavo Pinheiro (Board Member, Climate Ventures) examined the role of startups in shaping global climate policy. With COP30 on the horizon, speakers urged startups to actively engage with international forums and leverage platforms for greater visibility and influence.

Reinforcing the significance of collaborative ecosystems, Jui Joshi, Senior Partner at Climate Collective, emphasized, “The most impactful climate solutions emerge when knowledge is shared, and innovation is democratized. Effective climate action demands an ecosystem-driven approach, where industry, academia, and government work in sync.”

Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead

As MC2 wrapped up, attendees left with several transformative insights:

• Empowering Local Innovators: Climate solutions must be driven by local startups, but overcoming funding and policy barriers is key to unlocking their potential.
• Grid Modernization & Policy Reform: Decentralized energy systems need regulatory support for seamless integration into national grids.
• Blended Finance for Climate Tech: Innovative financing, such as green bonds and blended capital models, can unlock billions for climate startups.
• The Role of Women in Climate Innovation: Dedicated programs and policies must be developed to increase women’s participation in climate entrepreneurship.
• India’s Leadership in Climate Tech: With strong talent and policy backing, India is positioned to lead the world in deep climate technologies.
• Scaling South-South Cooperation: Initiatives like S2C2 will play a crucial role in accelerating climate impact across developing economies.
• Startups as Policy Catalysts: Engaging with international policy forums like COP30 can amplify the voices of climate tech startups and drive systemic change.

With partnerships from organizations such as GEAPP, Environmental Defense Fund, SED Fund, and knowledge support from The Statesman, Jagran, and TICE, MC2 successfully created a robust platform for climate action.

As the dust settles on this transformative event, the momentum is far from over. Organizers have already announced region-wide convenings and the upcoming Climate Startup Week, ensuring that the ideas sparked at MC2 continue to drive impactful change.

For more updates on the Mosambi Climate Conference and upcoming initiatives, visit www.mosambiclimateconference.com.