Event Coverage
CMAI hosts key summit to shape India’s carbon policy and achieve net-zero targets
Mumbai: The Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) successfully hosted a day-long Carbon Policy Development 2024 conclave on converging green solutions with carbon markets to achieve India’s net-zero targets on 16 May in New Delhi.
The Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) is a strategic alliance of industry experts passionate about climate and offset solutions. In line with this commitment, they have joined hands to enable the development of a robust carbon credit market in India. The event brought together prominent figures from bureaucracy, industry, think tanks, and academia to discuss critical strategies for achieving India’s ambitious goal of becoming a net-zero nation by 2070. Abhay Bakre, director general, Saurabh Diddi, director, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ajay Mathur, director general of the International Solar Alliance, R.K. Jain, principal executive director of Indian Railways, Subhash Kumar, director general, Association of CGD Entities, Deepesh Nanda, managing director & CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd, Kapil Kumar Jain, executive director, Gas Authority Of India Ltd., Damon DuBord, first secretary – energy affairs, Embassy of the USA, Ashish Tiwari, secretary, department of environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Hans Raj Verma, CMD, Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation Ltd, Vikram Vishal, professor, IIT Bombay, Manish Dabkara, president, CMAI, Ashok Kumar, regional representative (Central & South Asia), Dr Lokesh Dube, senior standards manager (Energy and LUF), Gold Standard, Rohit Kumar, secretary general, Carbon Markets Association of India, Sanjay Ganjoo, director general, Indian Federation of Green Energy, Alok Sharma, director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation, Dr Gaurav Mishra, scientist F, ninistry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), Atul Sharma, co-founder, Sarvada Legal, Siddhant Gupta, vice president, EKI Energy Services Ltd were among the many esteemed dignitaries to attend the conclave on Carbon Policy Development 2024.
These leaders highlighted the urgency of climate action and the importance of sustainable finance in mobilising the necessary investments for India’s energy transition.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency director general Abhay Bakre said, “We are developing a robust and transparent framework and we have to be very careful with it; lots of work goes behind every draft we bring out. We want to keep it simple yet progressive. We don’t want any hardship or limitations for the stakeholders while implementing it tomorrow. At the same time, we can’t make it ambiguous. Mr Bakre also appreciated CMAI efforts and the major role of CMAI as an industry body.
International Solar Alliance director general Ajay Mathur spoke of the course of action in policymaking for the industry, and highlighted the role of CMAI in it, remarking at the event, “I argue that it should be good if the carbon credits that we create domestically or globally are tooled to ask the developed countries that they should create a global guarantee fund.”
Carbon Market Association of India president Manish Dabkara said, “It’s evident that India is taking significant strides in shaping its compliance carbon market – a critical move towards a sustainable future. It is important that India stays on course and up-to-date with the global trends, and achieves its own climate goals while benefiting from the international market financially. This is where the role of CMAI becomes crucial when it comes to influencing the policies necessary to steer India towards a net zero future with the help of carbon markets.”
The sectoral focus for policy development
Various stakeholders, decision-makers, and policymakers influencing the carbon market policy in India and other trade-related matters had enlightening conversations at the conference. A dedicated session focused on international cooperation in achieving climate goals. Panellists explored the role of mechanisms like Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) in facilitating global emissions reductions. Discussions also addressed the challenges and opportunities these frameworks present for sustainable development and fostering innovation.
Another panel discussion focused on specific green solutions for decarbonisation. Panellists discussed the importance of maximising domestic renewable energy sources, with a specific focus on modern bioenergy as a promising option due to India’s surplus of biomass and waste materials. The discussion highlighted the multiple benefits of modern bioenergy, including clean fuel generation, job creation, rural development, and environmental pollution mitigation. Strategies and pathways for effectively harnessing energy from biomass and waste materials were explored in this session.
The third session of the day followed recent advancements in carbon capture and alternative fuels, showcasing innovative approaches and breakthroughs. The session also addressed the challenges hindering large-scale implementation, including technological limitations, cost considerations, and navigating regulatory hurdles. Panellists emphasised policy frameworks in incentivizing clean technologies.
Collaboration is key
The conference concluded on emphasising the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in achieving net-zero targets. Participants discussed successful partnerships that have driven innovation and deployment in the clean energy sector.
“It is a very good time when the Government of India has announced an offset mechanism which encourages industries in India to take voluntary action to mitigate residual emissions. This will support the green growth of India and its economy, and will also create numerous opportunities not only in India but also other countries, especially with Global South,” said Carbon Markets Association of India secretary general Rohit Kumar in his opening remarks.
The CMAI’s conference generated significant discussion and highlighted the critical role of carbon markets and green solutions in achieving India’s net-zero goals. The learnings and collaborations fostered during the event will pave the way for a more sustainable future for India.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
