The Net-Zero Climate Resilient Village Project is a pilot to make a village named “Mandede” in Mulshi, Maharashtra, India, carbon neutral and resilient to climate change.

It is sponsored by Praj Industries, who are the pioneers of the bio-economy and sustainable aviation fuel in India. 

The project focuses on achieving holistic development by actively involving all villagers in the process. The project has six thematic areas: 

1. Water Security
2. Energy efficiency 
3. Waste management 
4. Sustainable agriculture and livelihood 
5. Public Health 
6. Quality Education 

The objectives of the project are: 

1. To reduce Mandede’s carbon emissions to zero or achieve a negative carbon footprint.
2. To promote renewable energy sources and replace traditional fossil fuel-based energy with bioenergy.
3. To encourage sustainable agricultural practices to minimize environmental impact and improve farmers livelihoods. 
4. To establish efficient waste management systems to reduce pollution and improve the health of the villagers. 
5. To work on improving the natural environment of the village, biodiversity, and its natural sequestration capacity. 
6. To  equip Mandede village with tools and knowledge to tackle impending crises resulting from environmental changes,
7. To establish Mandede village as a role model for sustainable development within Maharashtra and inspire other villages in the region and beyond.

Project Implementation:

This is a 2-year long project for interdisciplinary research and implementation.

It will involve extensive stakeholder consultations, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to implement sustainable practices effectively.

The project will leverage the expertise of Praj Industries, the Center for Sustainable Development, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and monitoring of the project’s objectives.