2026
SGP Best Innovator Award — Women-Led Grassroots Climate Action
Climate Action
2026
Rooted in the vision of universal love, selfless service, and compassion towards all beings, Chancellor Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) has pioneered a unique model of environmental stewardship that integrates sustainability science, indigenous wisdom, community participation, and climate resilience.
— Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Amma’s Environmental
Philosophy
Amma’s environmental philosophy recognizes nature not merely as a resource, but as the foundation that sustains all life. Through compassion-driven action and holistic sustainability practices, the initiatives seek to restore harmony between humanity and
the natural world.
Trees Planted Globally
Seedballs Produced
Indian States with Active Environmental Programs
Continents with Sustainability Initiatives
Volunteer Field Hours
Women Empowered Through Community Networks
Communities Practicing Organic Farming
Saplings Distributed Through Cultural Environmental Campaigns
Women Empowered Through Community Networks
Environmental
Sustainability
Rooted in the vision of universal love, selfless service, and compassion towards all beings, our Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) has pioneered a unique model of environmental stewardship that integrates sustainability science, indigenous wisdom, community participation, and climate resilience.
Across continents, Amma’s initiatives have mobilized communities, researchers, volunteers, youth networks, policymakers, and local governments to restore ecosystems, nurture biodiversity, empower vulnerable communities, and create self-reliant sustainable futures.
What distinguishes Amma’s environmental philosophy is its deeply holistic approach, one that recognizes nature not merely as a resource, but one that sustains all life.
A unique framework for reviving nature and restoring ecosystems across the globe
Community empowerment through participatory interventions
Implementation of globally relevant policies, tools and approaches
Strategic initiatives aimed at those at bottom of the pyramid
Environmental
Sustainability
Amma’s initiatives on biodiversity conservation focuses on restoring ecological balance, conserving native species, strengthening climate resilience, and nurturing harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
These initiatives combine afforestation, ecosystem restoration, species protection, and community participation to regenerate vulnerable ecosystems across the world.
Globally, over 6 million trees have been planted to restore ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity, and nurture climate-resilient communities.
The Global Seedball Campaign was launched with an aim of producing 1 Million Seedballs as a part of Civil 20 India 2023 to promote environmental sustainability and restoration of ecosystems. This is an extension of the existing seedball initiative launched by Amma as a holistic solution aimed at ecosystem restoration.
A unique culture-based initiative in Kerala, India, where the traditional practice of Vishukaineetam during Vishu has been transformed into Vishuthaineetam, encouraging elders to gift tree saplings to younger generations instead of material offerings, symbolizing hope, renewal, and environmental responsibility for a greener future.
Amrita Vanam is a reforestation initiative that encourages communities to plant and nurture saplings, including native species, in public spaces and ecologically vulnerable regions. As part of the initiative, greenhouses are being established to independently generate over 100,000 saplings annually, supporting long-term ecosystem restoration
and biodiversity conservation.
Muttathoru Pazhathopp, Mukalil Oru Kilikkoodu, translates as “An Orchard in the Yard, a Birdhouse on the Treetop”. This is a community-based initiative launched to promote biodiversity conservation and protect native and migratory birds during extreme weather conditions. As part of the initiative, fruit-tree saplings and bird feeders are distributed among households to provide food, water, and shelter for birds.
The initiatives promote self-reliant, climate-resilient communities through ecological livelihoods, regenerative agriculture, women empowerment, and sustainable development models.
Launched in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, AMRITA SREE SHG was established with the goal of empowering communities for resilience to climate change. The initiative has supported economically vulnerable women across India through
self-help groups by providing skill development, livelihood opportunities, and support for establishing small-scale cottage industry enterprises.
To empower coastal women through sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient aquaculture, Amma launched community-led seaweed cultivation initiatives focused on ecological restoration and blue economy development. Under the “Blue is the New
Pink” initiative, women are trained in sustainable ocean farming, marine safety, and value-added seaweed enterprises, supporting income generation, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience across coastal communities in India.
The Ecovillage at La Ferme du Plessis in Pontgouin, France, promotes a sustainable and supportive way of life rooted in ecological harmony and collective responsibility. Developed using permaculture principles, the ecovillage integrates ecological
agriculture, renewable energy, water conservation systems, soil regeneration, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable housing practices.
Cultivation and consumption of organically grown vegetables in 150+ communities in India and across Europe. Tens of thousands of seeds have been distributed to women of all social stratas to grow organic vegetables to feed their own families
Supports impoverished people to grow organic vegetables on their own land. The villagers cannot afford to buy such produce in local markets, so growing their own helps them obtain essential vitamins and nutrients.
A unique beehive project in France for large-scale beekeeping and soil fertilization
Preservation of heritage seeds by preparing seedbanks across India, Europe, the Americas, and Australia
Environmental sustainability is strengthened through community participation, cultural engagement, volunteer action, and grassroots environmental awareness campaigns.
Born from Amma’s vision of restoring harmony between humanity and nature, the campaign encourages simple sustainable actions that individuals and communities can adopt in their everyday lives through six easy commitments. The campaign launched in 2013, continues to improve the health of our planet’s environment. In 2014, the InDeed Campaign for Nature was officially recognized by UNESCO as a project of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
Launched in 2010, the Amalabharatam Campaign works towards improving public health and promoting environmental cleanliness.
The waste management initiatives promote responsible consumption, recycling, composting, and circular economy practices through scalable and community-centered environmental systems.
The recycling center at Amritapuri Campus, serves as a model for professional and sustainable waste management designed to address the needs of India’s rapidly growing population. The center also functions as an educational and awareness hub for visiting students, teachers, policymakers, business leaders, and waste management professionals, promoting responsible waste practices and environmental sustainability.
Integrating Environmental Sustainability with Public Health
Recognizing the close connection between environmental sustainability and public health, Amma has supported large-scale sanitation and river conservation initiatives across India. As part of the Namami Gange and Swachh Bharat missions, Mata
Amritanandamayi Math pledged ₹100 crore towards sanitation and environmental improvement initiatives focused on hygiene, dignity, and the protection of water ecosystems through toilet construction, sanitation awareness, and community-led public health interventions.
Recognition
Climate Action
Pollution Control
Environmental Protection
Environmental Conservation
Green Campus
We collaborate with leading humanitarian and
environmental institutions worldwide.
Environmental
Sustainability
