The Hindu Sustainability Summit to explore pathways to a sustainable future

As businesses, governments and communities navigate the growing imperatives of climate action and sustainable development, The Hindu, in association with Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), will host The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2026 on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) from 10 a.m. onwards. Themed “CSR for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” the summit will bring together leading voices from industry, government, academia and the wider sustainability ecosystem to examine how responsible leadership, innovation and collaboration can translate sustainability ambitions into measurable impact. The summit will be inaugurated by V. K. Rajeev, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu. H. Shankar, Managing Director, CPCL, and Kumar Jayant, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), will be the Guests of Honour. Eight sessionsThe full-day summit will feature eight insightful sessions comprising fireside conversations, panel discussions and presentations, bringing together diverse perspectives on some of the most pressing sustainability challenges and opportunities. The discussions will explore the transformation of refineries into future-ready energy hubs, innovative approaches to wastewater management and the role of circularity in building resilient water systems. Other sessions will examine how ESG, data and digital innovation can help drive more impactful CSR initiatives, alongside the future of sustainable cooling and process heating. The summit will also delve into India’s transition from fossil fuels to net zero, the role of start-ups in accelerating the energy transition, and how the banking sector can support the financing of a sustainable future. A session on real estate and sustainability will examine how the sector can balance growth with environmental responsibility. The summit is supported by CPCL as the Presenting Partner, with NLC India Limited, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Navin’s, WABAG, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, Indian Bank, Urbando and State Bank of India as Associate Partners. The summit’s sustainability-focused partnerships include Thermax as the Sustainable Cooling Partner, Treeni as the Sustainability Intelligence Partner, Chennai Port Authority as the Blue Economy Partner and Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company as the Climate Action Partner. Mangaldeep is the Fragrance Partner, Puthiya Thalaimurai the TV Partner, The Federal the Digital TV Partner and Communitree the NGO Partner. Published - September 20, 2026 09:09 pm IST