Centre for Environment Education (CEE)

The Centre for Environment Education was established by the Foundation as a Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Registered as a Society, CEE has grown into one of India’s leading institutions in Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

CEE’s work reflects a fundamental belief aligned with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s philosophy: education must lead to informed action. Environmental awareness, in this view, is not merely about knowledge acquisition but about cultivating responsibility, stewardship and sustainable behaviour.

Vision and Mandate

CEE works toward building an environmentally literate and responsible society that actively contributes to sustainable development. It recognises education as a powerful catalyst for behavioural change, informed decision-making and collective action.

Its mandate extends across formal education systems, non-formal learning spaces, community engagement, governance processes and public communication. By integrating sustainability concerns into everyday learning and practice, CEE seeks to bridge knowledge and action.

Areas of Work

CEE engages across diverse thematic areas including biodiversity conservation, climate change, waste management, water and sanitation, marine and coastal conservation, sustainable consumption, and urban and rural sustainability.

Its programmes span schools, higher education institutions, local governments, civil society organisations and community groups. Through capacity building, demonstration projects, interpretation facilities, research, and policy engagement, CEE ensures that sustainability principles are translated into practice.

With a network of more than two lakh schools across India, CEE has played a significant role in strengthening environmental education within school systems and fostering youth engagement in sustainability initiatives.

National and International Engagement

CEE works closely with Forest Departments and other public agencies to design and implement nature interpretation centres, visitor education facilities and biodiversity awareness initiatives in protected areas and ecologically significant landscapes.

It has contributed to national and international policy processes related to Education for Sustainable Development and has served in nodal roles for major initiatives including the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes in collaboration with multilateral partners.

Through regional engagement such as the South Asia Youth Environment Network, CEE promotes youth leadership, shared learning and collaboration across South and South-East Asia.

Sundarvan: A Nature Discovery Centre

Sundarvan Nature Discovery Centre, located in Ahmedabad, established and managed by CEE, serves as a vibrant space where urban communities reconnect with nature.

Designed as a hands-on learning environment, Sundarvan provides experiential opportunities for children, students and families to explore biodiversity, ecological relationships and conservation practices. Through guided trails, interpretation facilities, educational workshops and nature-based activities, it nurtures curiosity and environmental sensitivity.

Sundarvan embodies the belief that environmental stewardship begins with direct experience and understanding of local ecosystems. More details on: www.sundarvan.org

Paryavaran Edutech

Paryavaran Edutech is a Section 8 company established by CEE to extend the reach of its educational resources and sustainability-focused learning materials.

It develops, curates and disseminates high-quality educational products, digital content, and sustainability tools designed for schools, institutions and organisations. Through innovative educational materials and technology-enabled solutions, Paryavaran Edutech supports the integration of environmental learning into classrooms and professional spaces.

This initiative reflects CEE’s commitment to ensuring that knowledge resources are accessible, scalable and aligned with contemporary educational needs. More details on: www.paryavaranedutech.org