The initiative aims to make Telangana India’s first youth-driven climate delivery model by 2030

 The Government of Telangana, through its Speed (Smart, Proactive, Efficient and Effective Delivery) framework, has partnered with the United Nations-accredited non-profit 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) to establish India’s first Youth Climate Action & Innovation Centre in Hyderabad. The announcement was made at the 9th 1M1B Activate Impact Summit held at the United Nations in Geneva.

The proposed Centre will be a flagship initiative under the Telangana Rising Net Zero Mission and is designed to make the state India’s first youth-led Net Zero model by 2030. The collaboration aims to train more than one lakh young people in green and climate-related skills, connect 1,000 startups and enterprises to trained talent, and create 10,000 virtual and gig work opportunities over the next five years.

According to the government, the Centre will function as a convergence platform for skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and measurable impact under Telangana’s climate action and sustainability framework.

Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement and Chief Executive Officer of SPEED, Government of Telangana, said the initiative would bridge the gap between innovation, youth engagement and sustainability. “The Youth Climate Action & Innovation Centre connects our youth, innovation ecosystem, and industry towards one shared goal — sustainable growth. By integrating AI, green skills, and entrepreneurship, this collaboration will help create a new generation of future-ready professionals and climate innovators,” he said.

Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor of 1M1B, said the partnership would “ignite a youth-powered movement for climate action” and position Telangana at the forefront of India’s green innovation efforts.

The Centre will include four core components: AI and Sustainability Experience Zones, an AI and Green Talent Accelerator, the WorkX Innovation & Impact Studio, and a Global Connect & Virtual Hub. These will focus on climate technology training, innovation labs, job creation and global mentorship linkages between Telangana, Geneva and Silicon Valley.

Aligned with the Telangana Rising 2047 vision, the initiative supports key state objectives around employment, innovation-led growth, sustainability and inclusion, with an emphasis on equitable access for women and rural youth.