The Indian Institute of Management Shillong successfully concluded the 12th edition of its flagship sustainability conference, SUSCON XII, held from 20–22 November 2025. This year’s theme, “Decarbonizing Development,” brought together leading scholars, policymakers, industry experts, and sustainability practitioners to deliberate on low-carbon pathways for inclusive, equitable, and future-ready development.
Prof. Naliniprava Tripathy, Director (I/C), IIM Shillong, while delivering the Inaugural address, highlighted the urgency of cross-sector cooperation to address climate change. She reflected on sustainability as a moral and spiritual imperative rooted in India’s civilizational ethos and cautioned, citing World Bank estimates, that without immediate climate action millions could be pushed into extreme poverty.
Delivering the Chief Guest Address, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, shared his perspectives on India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat. Emphasizing the criticality of coordinated efforts by government, private sector, and civil society, he highlighted how India can leverage demographic shifts, digital transformation, and innovation-led solutions to accelerate sustainable growth. “Achieving fast, inclusive, and sustainable development requires continuous collaboration among citizens, institutions, and government,” he remarked, reaffirming NITI Aayog’s commitment to partnering with institutions like IIM Shillong in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for India.
Padma Shri awardee and noted environmentalist Shri Himmat Ram Bhambhu delivered an inspiring message urging stakeholders to prioritize water conservation, expand afforestation efforts, and adopt development models aligned with ecological balance. His decades of grassroots work served as a powerful reminder of the role of community stewardship in environmental protection.
Conference Chairperson Prof. Kailash Choudhary opened the event by highlighting SUSCON’s legacy as a pioneering platform that has consistently advanced sustainability thinking since 2010. He noted the scale and diversity of this year’s participation—with 300 papers received, 122 selected for presentation, and delegates from five countries and 24 Indian states and UTs. Prof. Basav Roychoudhury, Dean (Research), reflected on the profound influence of historical environmental movements and stressed the importance of integrating indigenous wisdom with modern sustainability frameworks.
Following the inauguration, a panel discussion on “Decarbonizing Development” featuring Prof. Sanjeeb Kakoty, Prof. Sanjoy Mukherjee, and Prof. Rohit Dwivedi explored multidisciplinary strategies to reduce carbon footprints through behavioral change, systemic innovation, and integrated policy frameworks.
A special keynote by Dr. Stefan Baumeister, Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland), on “Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector” provided global insights on sustainable mobility transitions and the increasing urgency of aligning transportation systems with climate commitments.
The conference concluded with reflections on SUSCON’s expanding role as a knowledge ecosystem and movement. The valedictory address highlighted three strategic directions for SUSCON XIII:
- Deeper Global Footprint
Building structured international research collaborations, multi-country working groups, and global sustainability labs. - Stronger Link Between Ideas and Implementation
Expanding pilot projects, applied research demonstrations, and cross-institutional collaborations to translate scholarly insights into large-scale impact. - Greater Role for Youth and Students
Introducing innovation challenges, sustainability labs, and student-led research tracks to empower young changemakers.
Reaffirming IIM Shillong’s commitment to shaping leaders who balance economic aspirations with environmental responsibility, the institute emphasized that SUSCON is not merely a conference but a sustained movement toward a just, equitable, and low-carbon future.
