On the eve of World Environment Day 2026, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) organised a webinar titled “Adapt Biomanufacturing to Address Climate Change”. The event was aligned with the global theme “Climate Action #NowForClimate” and showcased how biotechnology can help India meet its climate‑change and sustainability goals.
Key Developments Highlighted in the Webinar
- Launch of the BioE3 Policy to promote bio‑based products that cut carbon emissions.
- Emphasis on scaling innovations through biofoundries and dedicated biomanufacturing hubs.
- Presentation of projects such as carbon‑to‑livelihood pathways using microbial platforms, mangrove restoration with plant‑growth‑promoting rhizobacteria, and development of sustainable aviation fuel.
- Discussion on ecosystem monitoring, invasive‑species impact on wetlands, and drought‑resilient forest seedling traits.
- Industry insights on algae‑based biomanufacturing and conversion of CO₂ from biomethanation into value‑added products.
Important Facts and Figures
- Speakers included senior DBT officials – Dr. Sangita M. Kasture (Head, Biomanufacturing Directorate) and Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale (Secretary, DBT, DG‑BRIC, Chairman, BIRAC).
- Keynote by Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, environmentalist (HESCO, Uttarakhand), on Himalayan ecosystem conservation.
- Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reiterated the Mission LiFE agenda.
- More than 100 institutions (IISc Bangalore, ICGEB New Delhi, IIT‑ISM Dhanbad, etc.) participated, indicating wide academic‑industry interest.
UPSC Relevance
The webinar touches on several topics that frequently appear in the UPSC syllabus:
- India’s climate‑change mitigation strategies (GS3: Environment, GS4: Ethics).
- Role of biotechnology in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG‑13 (Climate Action) and SDG‑9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure) (GS3).
- Policy frameworks like the BioE3 Policy and Mission LiFE, useful for essay and answer writing.
- Understanding of bio‑based industrial ecosystems (biofoundries, biomanufacturing hubs) aids answers on ‘Science & Technology for Development’.
Way Forward
To translate the discussed innovations into national impact, aspirants should note the following steps:
- Strengthen public‑private partnerships that link research institutions with industry players.
- Scale up pilot projects through dedicated funding mechanisms such as BIRAC grants.
- Integrate climate‑impact assessments in all biomanufacturing ventures to ensure environmental sustainability.
- Promote community‑led stewardship, especially in fragile ecosystems like the Himalayas and Sundarbans, aligning with Mission LiFE goals.
The webinar demonstrates that biotechnology, when aligned with policy and industry, can become a powerful tool for India’s climate‑action agenda.