CERE - Centre for Environmental Research and Education

What CERE - Centre for Environmental Research and Education does

CERE (Centre for Environmental Research and Education) is a Mumbai-based non-governmental organization founded in 2002 by Dr. Rashneh N. Pardiwala and Mrs. Kitayun Rustom. The organization delivers environmental sustainability projects across three core verticals: urban afforestation and carbon sequestration (Urban Afforestation Project / Carbon Map & Cap), renewable energy deployment (Switch on Solar rooftop PV program), and water conservation (rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling). Operations span 27 Indian cities through a network of corporate sponsors, NGO implementation partners, municipal permissions, and government department relationships.

CERE's underlying technology includes an ISAE 3410-verified carbon sequestration assessment methodology (conforming to the GHG Protocol from WRI/WBCSD), geotagged tree monitoring with 3-year longitudinal datasets, and the Carbon Map & Cap carbon accounting tool. Supporting assets include 27 published environmental education titles (250,000+ copies sold) used as curriculum books, biodiversity gardens, and the DhanGyan financial literacy e-learning program co-developed with Tata Capital. Marquee projects include a 38.8 million-litre rainwater harvesting system at Mumbai Police headquarters, a 1 MW rooftop solar array at ACTREC, and a 2025 multi-year RWH program across 50+ Parsi Fire Temples.

CERE's revenue is generated through four streams: corporate CSR project sponsorship, publication sales, environmental/sustainability consulting, and carbon offset certification. Go-to-market is direct, relationship-driven sales to CSR-mandated corporates, schools, hospitals, and government departments. The organization reports no public pricing; projects are custom-quoted. Funding comes from corporate sponsorships and foundation grants rather than VC/PE, and there is no public listing.

Name

CERE - Centre for Environmental Research and Education

Legal name

Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE)

Website

https://cere-india.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CERE is a Mumbai-based non-profit founded in 2002 that delivers urban afforestation, rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, carbon certification, and environmental education projects for corporate CSR sponsors, schools, hospitals, and government departments across 27 Indian cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Sustainability Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Product Sustainability & LCA/EPD (Eco-design, PCF) (EUAHAJAF), Environmental Policy, Planning & Regulation (BPAIAMAA)

Keywords

• Environmental sustainability consulting
• Carbon footprint management
• Urban afforestation services
• Rainwater harvesting solutions
• Rooftop solar installations

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CSR Project Sponsorship: Companies sponsor environmental projects as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including tree plantation, rainwater harvesting, solar installations, and biodiversity projects.
2. Publication Sales: Sale of 27 environmental titles including English Reader Series, Environmental Booklet Series, Green Office Manual, and thematic books used as curriculum books by schools across India.
3. Consulting Services: CSR consultancy, corporate sustainability consulting, and environmental education program development for institutions.
4. Carbon Offset Certification: Carbon sequestration certification services for sponsored and private plantations with certificates provided at end of plantation and assessment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CERE designs, implements, and certifies environmental sustainability projects for corporations, schools, hospitals, and government departments across India. Its offerings include carbon footprint management via Carbon Map & Cap™, urban tree plantation through the Urban Afforestation Project with verified carbon sequestration certification, rooftop solar installations under Switch on Solar, rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems, biodiversity gardens, and a portfolio of 27 environmental education publications used as curriculum books in Indian schools.

Product overview

CERE (Centre for Environmental Research and Education) is a Mumbai-based non-profit organization established in 2002 that operates as a portfolio of environmental initiatives rather than a unified platform. The organization offers multiple distinct programs: Carbon Map & Cap™ for carbon footprint management; Urban Afforestation Project (UAP) for tree planting with carbon sequestration certification; Switch on Solar for rooftop solar installations at schools and hospitals; Rainwater Harvesting projects; Biodiversity and Educational Gardens; Environmental Publications (27 curriculum books); Education Programs; CSR Consultancy; and DhanGyan Financial Literacy program. These initiatives work together to address environmental sustainability through action-oriented education, awareness, advocacy, and direct environmental interventions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Afforestation Project (UAP): Program to increase green cover in Indian cities by planting native trees to help companies, organisations, and individuals reduce their carbon footprint
• Switch on Solar (SoS)
• Carbon Map & Cap
• DhanGyan
• Vriksha Valli
• Native Biodiversity Garden

Products and services

• Carbon Map & Cap™ A carbon mapping and capping tool that helps organizations calculate, map, and manage their carbon footprint, paired with carbon sequestration certification services using a third-party-verified ISAE 3410-aligned methodology.
• Urban Afforestation Project (UAP) A multi-stakeholder tree planting initiative that helps companies, organisations, and individuals reduce their carbon footprint by planting native trees in urban areas, with geotagging, 3-year monitoring, and verified carbon sequestration certification.
• Switch on Solar (SoS) A rooftop solar installation project that helps charitable schools, hospitals, and institutions transition to renewable energy, combining environmental education with on-site solar deployment that delivers measurable electricity cost savings.
• Rainwater Harvesting Water conservation intervention projects that design and implement rainwater harvesting systems and greywater recycling reed-bed filtration to recharge groundwater tables and augment municipal water supply at schools, hospitals, government premises, and community sites.
• Biodiversity and Educational Gardens Development of biodiversity islands and native plant gardens (such as Vriksha Valli at CSMVS and the Native Biodiversity Garden at Teenvira Dam) that serve as learning resource centers for students, teachers, and communities.
• Environmental Publications A catalogue of 27 environmental titles including English Reader Series, Environmental Booklet Series, Walk on the Wild Side, Watts up with Energy, Out of the Box, and Green Office Manual — used as prescribed curriculum books by schools across India, with over 250,000 copies sold.
• Education Programs Environmental education initiatives for schools including Teacher Training, Sustainability Series, School Project Ideas, Activity Sheets, and the Climate Change Mystery short film.
• CSR Consultancy Consulting services that help companies address sustainability and CSR challenges, design environmental projects, and identify high-impact opportunities aligned with their CSR mandates.
• DhanGyan (Financial Literacy) A financial literacy e-learning course developed in partnership with Tata Capital, targeting secondary school students (Classes VIII to X) and aligned with the National Financial Literacy Assessment Test (NFLAT) curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 320,695 trees planted across 27 cities in India
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Parsi Fire TemplescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CERE's Rainwater Harvesting across Parsi Fire temples aims to implement water conservation interventions across 50+ Fire Temples in a 3-year period. Project commenced in 2025 and has been implemented across 6 sites in Mumbai and Pune.
• Toyota-KirloskarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERE has been working closely with Toyota-Kirloskar to create content for the Toyota Eco Zone project - a holistic learning centre for students to engage in sustainability exploration through place-based experiential education. CERE developed content connecting all aspects and design interventions for physical models, park landscape and learning features.
• Hinduja FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHinduja Foundation sponsors water conservation and tree plantation projects. They have planted 500 trees so far and support initiatives at SRPF campuses.
• Natural SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNatural Solutions partners with CERE for rainwater harvesting and environmental project implementation, particularly at government facilities.
• CRISIL FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCERE appointed by CRISIL Foundation to determine carbon sequestration potential of tree plantations across 6 cities in India (16,750 trees in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata).
• Ambuja CementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCERE engaged by Ambuja Cement to prepare an E-Learning Module on Biodiversity to sensitize employees on biodiversity protection and conservation.
• IndusInd BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndusInd Bank sponsors urban afforestation projects through CERE's Urban Afforestation Project, planting trees at various locations.
• Publicis Groupe IndiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublicis Groupe India sponsors tree plantation through CERE's Urban Afforestation Program.
• Kotak Mahindra BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKotak Mahindra Bank sponsors urban greening initiatives through CERE.
• Bharat PetroleumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBharat Petroleum sponsors tree plantation projects for sustainability.
• Eternis Fine ChemicalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEternis Fine Chemicals sponsors greywater recycling project at SRPF PTC Nanvij, Pune.
• TLG India (Publicis Groupe)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTLG India planted 5,230 trees in association with CERE for sustainability initiative.
• Shapoorji PallonjicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShapoorji Pallonji planted 4,543 trees through CERE's Urban Afforestation Program.
• MultiplesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiples planted 3,152 trees through CERE's Urban Afforestation Program.
• SembcorpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSembcorp planted 3,085 trees for urban greening through CERE.
• HT Parekh FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHT Parekh Foundation planted 3,000 trees in association with CERE.
• BNP Paribas India FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBNP Paribas planted 3,000 trees through CERE for sustainability program.
• Radius Global SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadius Global Solutions planted 2,080 trees in association with CERE.
• Scorpio Marine ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScorpio Marine Management planted 1,156 trees through CERE.
• Sony Pictures NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSony Pictures Network planted 1,015 trees through CERE's Urban Afforestation Program.
• Tata CapitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTata Capital partnered with CERE for DhanGyan financial literacy project and planted 250 trees.
• Galaxy SurfactantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGalaxy Surfactants planted 277 trees in association with CERE.
• Eleganz InteriorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEleganz Interiors planted 310 trees for sustainability initiative.
• Aisa Yeh Jahaan FilmcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndia's first carbon-neutral film sponsored 568 tree plantings for carbon offset.
• Lord India Pvt. Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLord India Pvt. Ltd. sponsored rainwater harvesting project at Directorate of Police Wireless Headquarters in Pune.
• Prayas Youth FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with CERE for plantation in Aurangabad, Delhi, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad.
• SayTreesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered for plantation in Bengaluru, Chennai, Secunderabad.
• Maharashtra Forest DepartmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered to revive degraded forest sites.
• Mumbai PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERE partnered with Mumbai Police to launch unique RWH model at police headquarters. 38.8 million litres capacity benefiting 2,338 police families.
• Municipal Corp. Greater MumbaicoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGranted permission to plant saplings at major water reservoir sites.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute): India's leading environmental research and consulting organization. Highly comparable to CERE: both deliver environmental research, carbon/sustainability consulting, CSR advisory, and educational programs for corporates and government, with comparable end markets and methodologies.
• Grow-Trees.com: Indian tree-planting platform connecting corporate sponsors with on-ground plantation partners and offering gifting/offsetting. Directly comparable to CERE's Urban Afforestation Project for corporate CSR-driven tree planting and carbon offsetting.
• WRI India: India arm of the World Resources Institute, working on climate, forests, water, and sustainable cities. Overlaps with CERE on urban afforestation, carbon accounting, and corporate sustainability advisory in India.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): New Delhi-based environmental NGO that conducts research, publishes environmental educational material, and runs public-interest campaigns. Overlaps with CERE on environmental education publications and curriculum integration in Indian schools.
• Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group: Indian environmental NGO focused on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and policy advocacy. Comparable in mission and Indian operating context to CERE, though more advocacy-oriented.

Broad incumbents

• WWF India: Large conservation NGO operating across India with corporate partnerships, environmental education, and species/habitat programs. Comparable to CERE as a broader environmental NGO with CSR funding, but much larger and more diversified.
• Greenpeace India: Major international environmental NGO operating in India across climate, forests, and sustainability advocacy. Overlaps with CERE in CSR-funded sustainability work but operates at significantly larger scale and more advocacy-driven model.

Others

• TERI SAS (TERI School of Advanced Studies): Educational arm of TERI offering sustainability-focused degree and training programs. Comparable to CERE's teacher training and education programs, though operating as an accredited university rather than NGO.

Emerging players

• Switch Mobility / SunMoksha: India-focused distributed solar and clean energy provider working with institutions, schools, and CSR funders. Overlaps with CERE's Switch on Solar program on rooftop solar deployment for schools and hospitals under CSR sponsorship.
• Sankalpa Sustainable Development Trust: India-focused environmental and sustainability NGO delivering CSR programs in water conservation, afforestation, and renewable energy. Closely comparable to CERE on project-based CSR service delivery and urban environmental projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cereindia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6uOzad6Vdv262wRdF5t9ow/videos?view_as=public
• Facebookfacebook.com/CERE.India
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-environmental-research-and-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/cereindia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CERE - Centre for Environmental Research and Education