THE C4DI STORY

Research for
sustainable development.

All about people and the climate.
Connecting environmental protection, scientific innovation, and inclusive human development.

Discover our story
Illustrative photo of environmental professionals walking beside a wetland

01 / AN IDEA BECOMES A PURPOSE

Climate expertise.
Local knowledge.

31 December 2012

Illustrative photo of Indian environmental professionals conducting a wetland field assessment

What if scientific expertise and community knowledge could work together to create a more sustainable future?

That question sits at the heart of the Centre for Climate Change & Clean Development Initiatives.

C4DI was conceived by Chirag Shastri, who holds an M.Tech. in Sustainable Development and Climate Change, with support from scientists and experts associated with institutions including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).

Today, we bring scientists, socio-economists, academicians, students, social-sector professionals, and field practitioners together. Our disciplines span environmental science, climate change, geomatics, engineering, social work, and rural development.

We work at the intersection of climate action, environmental research, community development, and applied decision-making—combining technical expertise with the understanding that comes from working in the field.

THE ORGANISATION

A not-for-profit organisation registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, on 31 December 2012, as recorded in its documentation.

Meet the people behind C4DI

02 / OUR NORTH STAR

Our vision for
sustainable development.

A sustainable and climate-resilient future where environmental protection, scientific innovation, and inclusive human development create lasting benefits for people and the planet.

Illustrative photo of a restored village pond

THE WAY WE WORK

How we research,
design and implement.

Environmental conditions, economic realities, and human needs are connected. So are our solutions.

01

Listen & investigate

Field assessment, community participation, scientific research, and system studies help us understand the whole picture.

02

Connect perspectives

We bring scientific knowledge and field experience together, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations.

03

Create practical solutions

We turn research into project designs, training, and implementation support suited to local needs.

03 / OUR REACH & IMPACT

C4DI’s reach
in numbers.

Cumulative figures reported in C4DI’s existing organisational records.

50,000+

People reached

500+

Villages covered

20+

Districts covered

5

States reached

10

Collaborating partners

5

Village organisations formed

600

Self-Help Groups formed

ACROSS LANDSCAPES

Project and field work
across five states.

Scientific studies. Community initiatives. Livelihood interventions. Capacity development. C4DI’s documented project and field engagement extends across five states.

01

Gujarat

INDIA
02

Rajasthan

INDIA
03

Madhya Pradesh

INDIA
04

Odisha

INDIA
05

Uttarakhand

INDIA

04 / WHAT GUIDES US

The principles
that guide our work.

Principles that shape how we research, collaborate, and work with communities.

01

Integrity & transparency

We work with integrity and support transparent, responsible organisational conduct.

02

Innovation & learning

Scientific inquiry, field experience, and shared learning help us improve practical solutions.

03

Community empowerment

We strengthen local capacity, participation, institutions, and livelihood opportunities.

04

Inclusivity & equity

We work with communities facing vulnerability, exclusion, and limited access to opportunities.

05

Collaboration & partnership

We bring communities, researchers, professionals, institutions, and development partners together.

06

Accountability

We recognise our responsibility to communities, partners, and the environment.

07

Sustainable development

We connect environmental protection, economic viability, and inclusive human development.

05 / STRONGER TOGETHER

Our partners
& collaborators.

Organisations and institutions listed in C4DI’s collaboration and partnership records.

01

Chanakya Trust

02

Janmangal Seva Charitable Trust

03

Neo-Shift Foundation

04

Institute for Desert Ecology and Environmental Research Foundation

05

DNT Development Foundation

06

DWBDNC, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt of India

07

Forest Department, Govt of India

08

NABARD

09

Jivan Bharti

10

Shri Hari Bhujal Vikas Mandal

Explore a partnership