July 2021
Panel Discussion: Integrating energy efficiency with the refrigerant transition in India
As part of the Green Cooling in India initiative by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) and supported by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Smita Chandiwala participated in a panel discussion on the need for integrating energy efficiency along with the refrigerant transition in India.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, while tackling HFC phase-down primarily, also aims to address the need to improve the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
The panel focussed on the future of cooling in India within this framework and discussed what it means to integrate the refrigerant transition with energy efficiency, as well as the policies and programs that are needed.
The webinar recording for Panel 3 can be accessed here
July 2021
Selected as a mentor for the ‘Energising Women to Advance the Energy Transition mentoring program’ by GWNET.
Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) supports global energy transition efforts by empowering women in energy through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, and mentoring.
Smita Chandiwala was selected as a mentor for the China Programme, as part of GWNET’s mentoring programme that aims to advance the careers of mid-career women working in energy and climate change. Senior professionals in the energy sector serve as mentors, and support the personal and professional development of participants, through year-long interactions.
The mentoring programme is jointly organised by GWNET and GIZ, on behalf of BMWi – Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and supports mid-career women across select countries under the German bilateral energy partnerships.
Read More here
August 2020
Webinar on Low- carbon & cost-effective solutions for enabling “Thermal Comfort for All”
This webinar is based on our research study on Developing Low Carbon Cooling Solutions for Urban Residential Buildings through 2050. The webinar discusses the results from energy modeling and understanding of India’s unique context of urbanization and energy efficiency initiatives; which shaped the proposed policy actions for space cooling.
The webinar recording can be accessed here
April 2020
Invited to be an esteemed member of the South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) to support initiatives on gender equity in the south Asian region
Smita Chandiwala was invited to join SAWIE as an esteemed member and support SAWIE initiatives on gender mainstreaming and gender equity in the South Asian Region.
South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE), a joint initiative of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), aims to promote women’s empowerment and gender sensitization in the energy sector in the South Asia region.
The platform brings together leaders, particularly women leaders across the energy sector to design interventions focused around outreach and recruitment; mentorship and leadership; increasing women’s participation in networking and brainstorming events, and professional development that can help bridge gender gaps. USAID is supporting the SAWIE platform through its “Greening the Grid – Renewable Integration and Sustainable Energy (GTGRISE)” initiative.
February 2020
Launch of report on Low-Carbon options to meet India’s Space Cooling demand in Urban Residential Buildings in 2050
Our report on space cooling ‘Developing cost-effective and low-carbon options to meet India’s space cooling demand in urban residential buildings through 2050’ was officially launched at the India Energy Transformation Platform’s event held at The Claridges, New Delhi on 7th February. Our project was one amongst four innovative ideas selected by IETP representing non-linear and transformative solutions for the energy sector to meet India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Read more about the IETP initiative and our work here
September 2019
BloombergNEF | Taj Mahal Trick Helps India Cool Buildings Smartly
In this article, bloombergNEF’s editor explores how India’s green building sector is evolving and what can be done to get away from energy-guzzling buildings. We were quoted on the market barriers of perceived additional cost and the need for supporting markets to ramp up the supply of appropriate materials and technologies for energy-efficient buildings.
“For green buildings, the cost is a non-issue in my opinion. It is the market which needs to be created, with sufficient supply – and suppliers – of appropriate construction materials and technology, as well as a sustainable demand for them,” said Smita Chandiwala, an architect whose firm, Energe-se, provides policy advice on green buildings.