On the eve of World Environment Day 2026, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, organized a webinar on “Adapt Biomanufacturing 2 Address Climate Change” aligned with the global theme of “Climate Action #NowForClimate”.The session focused on DBT-driven initiatives that are contributing to biomanufacturing, biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient solutions, and sustainable development.

Dr. Sangita M. Kasture, Scientist G and Head, Biomanufacturing Directorate, DBT, welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the Department’s continued efforts to strengthen the biomanufacturing ecosystem through innovation-driven and sustainable biotechnology solutions. She highlighted the vision of the BioE3 Policy to advance high-performance biomanufacturing for sustainable fuels, chemicals, biomaterials, and other bio-based products that support environmental sustainability and climate-resilient agriculture.

Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, DG, BRIC and Chairman, BIRAC highlighted the growing challenges posed by unsustainable material consumption, increasing waste generation and climate change.He underlined DBT’s efforts to support India’s climate and sustainability goals through high-performance biomanufacturing under the BioE3 Policy and emphasized the importance of scaling innovations through Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs to bridge research and industrial deployment. He called for translational research and industrial partnerships to accelerate the adoption of bio-based technologies.

Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, an environmentalist with HESCO, Uttarakhand, delivered a keynote address on Himalayan Ecosystem Conservation. He emphasized community-led environmental stewardship, research relevance, sustainable resource management and climate-resilient development. Further recognizing the role of biotechnology in biomanufacturing, he stressed upon the footprint assessment of solutions. Dr Joshi said that integrated approaches are needed for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation to safeguard ecological services and support resilient communities.

Webinar showcased the biotechnological developments happening through the Department’s activities for addressing climate change and environmental sustainability. This includes:Closing the Carbon Loop and Turning Carbon into Livelihoods, sustainable biomanufacturing approaches using microbial platforms; restoration of mangrove biodiversity in the Sundarbans through indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria; development of sustainable aviation fuel and green transportation fuels from biorenewable resources; applications of microbiome science for sustainability and bioeconomy development; ecosystem monitoring and the impacts of invasive species on ecologically sensitive wetlands; and the seedling traits and drought response in forests.

Representative from Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change emphasized the Mission LiFE and called for a shift from awareness to action. He underscored the importance of collective action in conserving natural resources and advancing environmental sustainability.

Experts from two industries shared insights on advancing climate-focused biotechnologies from laboratory research to industrial deployment. This includes algae-based biomanufacturing systems that convert carbon into livelihoods and reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, as well as the transformation of CO₂ generated from biomethanation into value-added products. Speakers across the institutions like IISc Bangalore, ICGEB New Delhi, West Bengal State University, IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IISER Kolkata, ATREE Bangalore, IISER Trivandrum, and NCBS Bangalore have delivered the talks, while participants from more than100 institutions attended and got benefited from the program.

The Webinar was concluded with a vibrant Q&A session. Participants actively engaged with the experts, discussing opportunities and challenges in scaling climate-focused biomanufacturing solutions in the country.

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NKR/MJ

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