UN Climate Change and Indian Film Industry Unite for Climate Storytelling
Mumbai, 22 July 2026 — A significant meeting took place in Mumbai, bringing together key figures from India’s film and entertainment industry. This event was organized by UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Producers Guild of India, and PLUC (People Like Us Create). The discussions aimed to highlight how storytelling in films, TV shows, and online content can shine a light on climate issues affecting millions of lives.
Hosted at Amazon Studios, a diverse group, including filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and streaming platform representatives, shared ideas on how to portray the climate crisis in a way that resonates with ordinary people’s daily experiences. They recognized that the current rise in solar energy and clean technology in India presents compelling stories of progress and resilience.
Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasized the importance of telling these stories. “Climate change touches everything we care about — from the food we eat to the air we breathe. This is a story of human resilience and innovation, and it’s important to bring these narratives into people’s homes,” he stated. He highlighted the unique role of India’s creative industry in sharing these stories due to its cultural diversity and global reach.
Shibasish Sarkar, President of the Producers Guild of India, noted the urgent need for the media and entertainment sector to act on climate change. He said, “Conversations like this help educate stakeholders and can lead us to practical solutions.”
Actor and Producer Dia Mirza expressed her excitement about this initiative, stating, “Stories help us understand our world better. As we face changes, it’s vital for storytelling to reflect these realities in ways that resonate with audiences and encourage meaningful dialogue.”
Tamseel Hussain, Founder and CEO of PLUC, discussed the significant transformations happening in India. He mentioned that the country is creating new narratives due to shifts in clean energy, job transitions, and growing industries. He believes that India’s vast creative economy can effectively showcase these changes in popular entertainment.
This gathering marked the start of an ongoing dialogue between UN Climate Change and the Indian entertainment sector on using storytelling to highlight climate challenges. The goal is to foster collaborations that make the impact of climate change relatable to a broad audience.
The meeting was part of the Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) initiative, which aims to engage audiences with climate issues through inspiring and entertaining stories. With India producing over 1,800 films annually in numerous languages, discussions focused on how mainstream entertainment can authentically represent the shifting realities of climate change.
The roundtable concluded with enthusiasm to explore future collaborations, aiming to incorporate climate narratives into captivating stories that resonate with viewers nationwide.
