Local communities and government departments have been eager to partner with the Ocean Cleanup’s ambitious 30 Cities’ Program worldwide but more financial support can help speed up its messy plastic cleaning drive.

As part of the SN Green Leader Series with Benedict Paramanand, Editor of SustainabilityNext, Karan Mehta, Venture Principal, Green Frontier Capital, shares what excites him about climate-tech investing, and how India can seize the climate opportunity. With over 16 years in asset management and 12 years dedicated to impact and climate investments, Karan Mehta has been at the forefront of channelling capital into solutions that matter. From leading investments in energy, water, and smart agriculture to backing alternative proteins and climate technologies, he has worked with global asset managers as well as venture capital funds in India.

How, iamgurgaon, a citizen and community led initiative, has transformed hundreds of acres of wasteland into citizen-friendly common spaces. It is led by women who left their high-paying careers to make a difference. It is a role model for cities crying for help.

A doctor and a software engineer gave up their professions when they could no longer live with the guilt that the trash the layout residents threw ended up in a nearby village. The citizens forum, they started a decade ago, has turned Bengaluru’s HSR Layout into a clean mini hub with better transport facilities. Their success story is a testimony to how communities can take charge and change their living experience.

Rishi Aggarwal is one of Mumbai’s most zealous environmental activists. He started with protecting the mangroves of Mumbai in the 2000s. His latest passion project is to make Mumbai’s streets safe for pedestrians. He does these campaigns by roping in communities and volunteers.