Bhumi Pednekar Supports WeWork India’s Green Initiatives at Sustainability Summit
WeWork India’s Sustainability Summit launched the ‘WeWork India for Impact’ programme, emphasizing real estate's role in climate action and social change, with support from actor Bhumi Pednekar.
SustainabilityWework IndiaBhumi PednekarReal EstateClimate ActionReal EstateSep 26, 2025
Actor and UNDP Advocate Bhumi Pednekar, who was the special guest at the event, lent her voice to the cause, calling for inclusive and accountable sustainability efforts.
Unlike conventional CSR projects, WeWork India for Impact integrates ecological restoration, wildlife conservation, education, and women’s economic empowerment into a unified agenda. The initiative focuses on several key areas:
- Reviving Tarahunise Lake through plantation drives, floating wetlands, and improved groundwater systems.
- Organising over 760 clean-up drives that collected nearly 59,000 kg of waste and achieved 97% segregation in Tarahunise village.
- Supporting women entrepreneurs in sustainable tailoring and waste upcycling.
- Fostering coexistence between leopards and communities near Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
- Mobilising more than 350 volunteers for conservation efforts, including creating herb gardens and bird perches.
Virwani emphasised that real estate has a crucial role in addressing India’s climate challenge. “Sustainability is not an abstract concept,” he said. “It is water in a farmer’s borewell, safety for communities living alongside leopards, and dignity for women entrepreneurs.”
Pednekar applauded the initiative, noting that the future of sustainability depends on weaving it into daily systems of living, building, and working. “It is about making better choices every day and creating positive change for both the environment and our communities,” she said.
In an exclusive conversation, Virwani pointed out that one of the biggest barriers to decarbonising workspaces in India lies in the reluctance of developers to rethink building design. “We copy Western concepts like glass buildings, which are neither cost-efficient nor climate-suited for India,” he said. “A well-designed brick building with natural light is cheaper to construct, easier to maintain, and more sustainable. But developers hesitate because the market hasn’t yet rewarded these choices.”
He added that India’s 2070 net-zero target cannot be achieved without addressing emissions from the real estate sector, which contributes nearly 40% of energy consumption. “WeWork is pushing to reduce operational impact from water use to energy sourcing but construction itself remains the biggest challenge. The government’s role is to create the right incentives for developers, just as it has done for solar and manufacturing.”
Addressing investor and customer confidence amid WeWork Global’s restructuring, Virwani said India’s growth story remains resilient. “We filed our DRHP in January and are preparing to go public. From a revenue perspective, we are double the size of our nearest competitor, and nearly three times stronger on profitability,” he said.
The summit also brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, and climate innovators for discussions on climate finance, curbing greenwashing, and reducing carbon emissions in real estate. Speakers included senior leaders from CBRE, DLF, Infosys, Max Estates, Rainmatter Foundation, and other organisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WeWork India for Impact?
WeWork India for Impact is a flagship programme launched by WeWork India to align the country’s real estate growth with climate action and social change. It focuses on ecological restoration, wildlife conservation, education, and women’s economic empowerment.
Who is Bhumi Pednekar and what role did she play at the Sustainability Summit?
Bhumi Pednekar is an actor and UNDP Advocate who supported WeWork India’s sustainability drive at the Summit. She emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into daily living and working systems.
What are some of the key initiatives under WeWork India for Impact?
Key initiatives include reviving Tarahunise Lake, organizing clean-up drives, supporting women entrepreneurs in sustainable tailoring, and fostering coexistence between leopards and communities near Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
What did Karan Virwani say about the role of real estate in climate action?
Karan Virwani, Managing Director & CEO of WeWork India, emphasized that real estate plays a crucial role in addressing India’s climate challenge and highlighted the need for better building design and government incentives to support sustainable practices.
How does WeWork India plan to reduce its environmental impact?
WeWork India is focusing on reducing operational impacts from water use to energy sourcing, and is advocating for sustainable construction practices. They are also pushing for government incentives to support these efforts.
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