The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) has established the ‘Chandrakanta Kesavan Centre for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions’ to provide policymakers with practical solutions to climate change issues. The mission of the centre will be to lead the development of technology and policy solutions to help India and the rest of the world combat climate change. A detailed description of the facility can be found at iitk.ac.in/see/ckcepcs/. On 15 July, IIT-Kanpur and Sudhakar Kesavan (a 1976 IIT-Kanpur alumnus) signed an agreement to establish such a centre. Dr Chandrakanta Kesavan, a role model for Indian women in science, inspired the name of the centre. She received her PhD in Acoustical Physics from Allahabad University in 1942, was a Fulbright post-doctoral scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and worked at All India Radio as an innovative acoustical engineer and administrator. The centre will be autonomous, but within IIT-Kanpur. The department of sustainable energy will closely cooperate with the centre. It will adopt a multidisciplinary approach and, in order to implement technology and scientific solutions, the centre will focus on policies, communication, education and outreach work throughout the country and outside academia. The centre will be a platform to bring together outstanding academicians, technologists and researchers to discourse on and address these issues. Speaking during the launch of the centre, Kesavan said: “The Chandrakanta Kesavan centre for energy policy and climate solutions will add a fresh dimension in policy, communications, education and outreach efforts so that technology and science-based solutions can be effectively implemented in society. I believe that the centre will be the preferred space for those seeking solutions and advice on matters related to energy technology, adoption strategies as well as policy and climate issues pertaining to decarbonisation.” The director of IITK, Prof Abhay Karandikar, said: “To demonstrate IIT-Kanpur’s commitment to sustainable growth I have asked the centre to develop a plan for IIT-Kanpur to become carbon neutral within the next five years. The centre’s broader aim is to develop low carbon solutions, provide the knowledge to build an appropriate policy framework, and engage with various stakeholders to help mitigate the challenges caused by climate change, towards attaining a sustainable living.” The centre will also conduct a Master's programme which will specialise in ‘Energy technology and Policy’ as well as an e-master’s in ‘energy technology, economics and policy’ for working professionals. It will also communicate and engage with governments, businesses and NGOs on technological, economic and polity issues pertaining to energy and climate change.