SBI Foundation Conclave deliberates on urban ecosystem conservation

SBI Foundation Conclave 2026 focused on conserving urban ecosystems through air, water, and green space resilience against climate change.

The SBI Foundation organised the CONSERW Conclave 2026 on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) to facilitate dialogue on strengthening the resilience of urban ecosystems. The meeting brought together representatives from industry, government agencies, civil society, and research institutions to examine pathways for addressing environmental challenges in Indian cities.

The event was held under the Foundation’s flagship environment programme, CONSERW. Discussions were centred on the conservation of urban ecosystems, with a focus on air quality, water availability, and green spaces in the context of climate change. Participants analysed the vulnerability of cities to climate pressures, including temperature rise, irregular rainfall, heatwaves, flooding, and pollution.

A key observation from the deliberations was the role of green and blue infrastructure—such as urban forests, lakes, wetlands, and green corridors—as ecological buffers. Experts highlighted that these natural assets are critical for cities to adapt to climate risks. The conclave also examined models for climate adaptation, methods for pollution mitigation, and the potential for corporate social responsibility funding to support such initiatives.

Swapan Dhar, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, said collaboration across sectors, institutions, and communities is necessary for effective climate action.

He stated that the conclave was intended as a platform for industry, experts, civil society, and policymakers to develop solutions for urban resilience. He added that the Foundation is engaged in work related to environmental conservation, and the discussions were aimed at identifying actionable pathways that will guide its strategic goals.