Mumbai, October 28 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced today that India will host the inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) in February 2026. The event is organised by Project Mumbai in partnership with Government of Maharashtra’s Department of Environment and Climate Change and supported by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Mumbai Climate Week aims to become a major platform for climate action across the Global South, with India taking a leadership role. Speaking about MCW, Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "The event will bring together the best minds from across the Global South to find practical solutions for our climate challenges. This platform will help developing nations work together and make their voices heard on the global stage.
During a meeting held in the Committee Hall of Mantralaya, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this initiative. On this occasion, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Pankaja Munde, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj, and Project Mumbai’s Founder and CEO Shishir Joshi, among others, were present. On this occasion, the logo of “Mumbai Climate Week” was unveiled by the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister, joined by leading climate experts, shared details of the event. Representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to participate. They will come to Mumbai to create a practical climate action plan, working with city leaders, state chief ministers, civil society groups, corporates, students, and young people.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said, “Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) showcases India’s resolve to lead with action. Inspired by the vision set by our Hon. PM, Mumbai and Maharashtra are ready to help shape a just, innovative, well-funded climate future for the Global South.”
Speaking about the initiative, Shishir Joshi, Founder & CEO of Project Mumbai, said, "Mumbai Climate Week marks a historic step for Maharashtra and India as we unite and amplify the voices of the Global South. This unique platform underscores our commitment to empowering climate-resilient communities through inclusive collaboration and relevant solutions. MCW will catalyse transformative impact, fostering partnerships that transcend borders."
Mumbai Climate Week will be India’s first dedicated, citizen-led platform focused on speeding up climate action. Monitor Deloitte will be the strategic knowledge partner. Several major organizations have already joined as partners and supporters, including the Climate Group (hosts of New York Climate Week), India Climate Collaborative, WRI, Eversource, HT Parekh Foundation, UNICEF, ISEG, Shakti Foundation, Rainmatter Foundation, National Gallery of Modern Art and National Service scheme (NSS).
The inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week will focus on three connected themes: food systems, energy transition, and urban resilience. Each theme will be examined through the lenses of justice, innovation, and funding. This ensures that the MCW platform addresses both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. India Climate Collaborative will anchor the food systems discussions, ISEG Foundation, Shakti Foundation and Eversource will jointly guide the energy transition discussions, while HT Parekh Foundation and WRI India will co-lead the urban resilience sessions. These partner organisations will curate and showcase impactful climate solutions using their deep sectoral expertise.
Importantly, the platform will bring together not just policymakers and experts, but also give a voice to citizens and grassroots initiatives. Topics like mental health, art, spirituality, sports, and cinema will be included in the week's activities. A climate-focused food festival is also being planned as part of public engagement.
The event comes at a critical time for the developing countries, where climate disruptions, food and energy shortages, and ongoing conflicts have heightened vulnerabilities. Agriculture contributing between 10 to 20 percent of GDP in many developing countries—compared with about five percent in developed nations—and services accounting for less than half of GDP in the Global South, compared to 60 to 80 percent in the Global North. This means economies that depend heavily on climate-sensitive sectors face mounting risks. Fiscal constraints have further limited their ability to invest in long-term climate strategies. Against this backdrop, Mumbai Climate Week seeks to find solutions that balance development imperatives with urgent climate action, offering a shared platform for the Global South to deliberate, collaborate, and raise its collective voice.
In the lead-up to the event in February, various preparatory activities will help identify and improve solutions for showcasing. These include cross-stakeholder working groups, innovation mapping exercises, calls for applications, workshops, roundtables, and conferences. The February event will use a unique hub-and-spoke format, with the main event scheduled for February 17 to 19 at the Jio World Convention Centre. The central hub will host leadership dialogues, panels, and strategy sessions. At the same time, a vibrant network of peripheral events—ranging from exhibitions and film screenings to art festivals, hackathons, and community workshops—will broaden the participation across Mumbai. This structure connects high-level policy discussions with grassroots voices, ensuring that solutions are globally relevant while grounded in local realities.
By bringing together governments, businesses, startups, academia, civil society, indigenous communities, youth, and citizen groups, the event aims to foster an ecosystem of shared purpose. Through diverse expertise and real-world experience, Mumbai Climate Week will help shape a just, sustainable, and resilient future for the Global South while amplifying its voice on the global stage.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashwini Bhide, Secretary Shrikar Pardeshi, Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister Kaustubh Dhavse, and Project Mumbai Advisory Board Members Ridhima Desai and Jalaj Dani, among others, were present on this occasion.
About Mumbai Climate Week
Scheduled from February 17 to 19, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai Climate Week will be a three-day event. Its impact will be extended through preparatory activities before and synthesis efforts after the main conference, including workshops, case studies, films, testimonials, and follow-up reports. By mobilizing India’s vibrant network of climate-focused organizations and movements, it will highlight the nation’s pioneering efforts in climate action while charting a bold path forward.
Conceptualised & initiated by Project Mumbai, a citizen-driven non-profit founded in 2018, and, in partnership with Government of Maharashtra’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, and supported by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, MCW reflects the vision of a dynamic megacity from the Global South stepping into a role of global climate leadership
About Project Mumbai
Project Mumbai, founded in 2018 by a former renowned journalist and social entrepreneur Shishir Joshi, is a pioneering not-for-profit initiative that works as a trusted bridge between citizens, government, and private institutions to co-create solutions for the city’s most pressing challenges. With a focus on participatory governance, community engagement, and public service, Project Mumbai has consistently mobilized people and partnerships to deliver impact at scale—from mental health initiatives and waste management drives to urban mobility solutions and disaster relief. Its citizen-centric model has earned recognition nationally and internationally as an example of collaborative problem-solving rooted in transparency, trust, and accountability.
About the State Climate Action Cell (SCAC)
The State Climate Action Cell (SCAC), established under the Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra, vide Government Resolution dated 9th August 2023, serves as the nodal agency for coordinated climate action in the state. It leads the implementation of the National and State Action Plans on Climate Change (NAPCC and SAPCC) and Mission LiFE, focusing on prevention, adaptation, and mitigation. The SCAC provides policy guidance, technical support, and monitoring frameworks for government departments and local bodies, while fostering collaboration with civil society, research institutions, and international partners. Through data-driven planning, green initiatives, and public awareness efforts, the SCAC is advancing Maharashtra’s transition towards a climate-resilient and sustainable future.
About Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan
Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan is the flagship environmental initiative of the Government of Maharashtra, spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. It aims to foster sustainable and climate-resilient governance at the grassroots level by integrating environmental responsibility into the functioning of Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats. Anchored in the five thematic “Panchamrut” principles — Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky — the Abhiyan drives measurable actions in waste management, water conservation, renewable energy, green cover enhancement, and public awareness. Through a structured performance-based rating system, it promotes accountability, transparency, and innovation in local environmental governance, aligning Maharashtra’s efforts with the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement.
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