New Delhi, October 15, 2025: The 1M1B Green Skills Academy, an initiative of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion)—a United Nations–accredited non-profit driving large-scale environmental and social impact—has launched two flagship programs, “1.5 Matters” and “Youth Climate Diplomacy for 1.5°C”, at the UN House in New Delhi. The initiatives aim to mobilize India’s youth toward climate leadership and strengthen the nation’s contribution to global net-zero ambitions.
Curated by Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B, 1.5 Matters is a global youth-led movement designed to accelerate climate action and keep global warming below 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement. The initiative seeks to unite governments, corporates, academia, and changemakers to transform India’s youth dividend into a climate dividend.
A key component, Youth Climate Diplomacy for 1.5°C, will empower young Indians to act as global ambassadors for climate action by providing them platforms to represent India at national and international forums, including the United Nations. Through this initiative, 1M1B aims to promote India’s soft power in climate diplomacy, highlighting the country’s innovation-driven approach to sustainability and leadership in youth-led environmental action.
The launch marks a milestone in India’s youth climate movement and sets the stage for the upcoming 1M1B Summit at the United Nations, Geneva, on 7 November 2025. The 1.5 Matters program builds upon pilot initiatives that began in Hyderabad in 2024 and were later showcased at the Annual 1M1B Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Speaking at the launch, Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B and Curator of 1.5 Matters, said,
“Through 1.5 Matters and our 1M1B Green Skills Academy, we are creating pathways for youth to participate directly in shaping global climate policy and solutions. Through Youth Climate Diplomacy, we will spotlight how India’s youth are addressing global challenges and UN SDGs like climate change and environmental issues, not just local concerns. By turning India’s youth dividend into a climate dividend, the initiative will help shape international opinion, influence policy debates, and build a new generation of leaders who can act, innovate, and advocate for keeping global warming below 1.5°C.”
The event featured a keynote address by Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, and was attended by senior dignitaries including Mona K. Khandar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Government of Gujarat; Srinivasulu, IAS, Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Ecology, Government of Karnataka; Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; Shrikant Sinha, CEO, TASK; and Darrin Farrant, Communications Director, United Nations, among others.
The 1.5 Matters mission seeks to engage 10 million people, develop a climate talent pipeline of one million professionals, and mobilize 10,000 schools to accelerate India’s net-zero goals. The initiative will combine grassroots climate action with international advocacy to showcase India’s leadership in sustainable development.
1M1B, which operates in over 5,000 schools and colleges and has trained more than 800,000 youth and 25,000 teachers, continues to expand its Green Skills Academy to create livelihood opportunities in sustainability and AI for youth in Tier-III towns and rural India.
