As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the world is facing an unprecedented urgency to tackle the challenges posed by rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource depletion. The socio-economic consequences of climate change are already being felt worldwide, affecting industries, communities, and ecosystems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has made it clear that, without immediate and substantial action, global temperatures could surpass the 1.5°C threshold, leading to catastrophic outcomes for humanity and the planet. In this heightened scenario, the demand for innovative solutions to combat climate change has never been more critical.

In response to this urgent need, a new breed of businesses is emerging with sustainability embedded at the core of their mission. These forward-thinking enterprises are not just making incremental changes to existing practices; they are employing out-of-the-box thinking, reimagining traditional business models to design products, services, and solutions that directly address the root causes of climate change. From renewable energy and green mobility startups to innovators in waste management, carbon capture, and energy efficiency, these companies are transforming industries and paving the way toward a low-carbon future. By integrating sustainability into their operations, these businesses are creating mechanisms to reduce emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote circular economy models, all while fostering new opportunities for growth and development.

By shifting the mindset to view companies as providers of climate solutions rather than just sources of emissions and focusing on innovation as a driver of value and growth, these businesses play a crucial role in meeting the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. Recognising the critical importance of advancing climate resilience and sustainability, initiatives like the Earth Care Awards have emerged to highlight and support such endeavours. Since 2008, the Earth Care Awards—a joint initiative of JSW and The Times of India Group—have been championing efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation across India.

In its 12^th edition, the Earth Care Awards seek to spotlight businesses that have chosen out-of-the-box thinking as their guiding principle, focusing on how they are driving change in industries traditionally associated with high emissions and environmental degradation. As part of this, the panel discussion titled “Adapting for Tomorrow: Creating Resilience Through Climate-Smart Development” will explore how these innovative enterprises are reshaping sectors with bold ideas and sustainable solutions, driving the transition towards a low-carbon economy. It aims to bring together leading voices in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation to discuss how these emerging businesses are reshaping the future of climate action.