In a focused step towards strengthening climate awareness in the city, the Rotary Club of Madras partnered with the Institute for Climate and Environment as community collaborators for Sustainability Carnival and Primathon 2026. Held on February 14 and 15 at Primrose School, Chennai, the two-day initiative was curated by ICE, with Rotary extending its support to widen participation and deepen community engagement.

The programme opened with a symbolic tree plantation under ICE’s ROOTS (Restoring Our Original Tree Systems) initiative. President Rtn. Nikhil Raj, along with key Rotary members, planted a Manoranjitham sapling on campus, marking the beginning of a larger ecological restoration goal. Through ROOTS, ICE plans to plant one million native trees over the next three years to rebuild local ecosystems and enhance environmental resilience. The initiative received financial backing from Rtn. Fharzana Siraj, B&G Solar Pvt Ltd, and Kaleesuwari Foundations.

On February 15, the Primathon saw students, parents and educators participate in a 1.5-kilometre run symbolising the 1.5°C global warming threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement. Flagged off by Rtn. Sesha Sai, District Chairman, participants wore eco-friendly T-shirts to reinforce everyday sustainability. A yoga session inspired by Triguna Theory encouraged mindful living as a foundation for environmental responsibility. The event concluded with a Climate Action Pledge, with attendees committing to sustainable practices and receiving Certificates of Climate Action from ICE.