In the last several years, one has felt the summers getting hotter and drier every year. This is one of the direct effects of climate change and global warming. Across the world, one can clearly see the fingerprints of climate change and it is alarming, to say the least. While efforts are being made by government bodies, private agencies and individuals to reverse the effects of climate change, one has also been looking for ways or methods to protect oneself from the sweltering heat of the summer.

Rajiv Lunkad along with his brother Sanjog Lunkad both fourth generation entrepreneurs have been working across different industries and technologies and products that enable the world move towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle. While moving ahead in this direction, they have managed to put together a product which is now known as the first radiative cooling headwear cap to exist in the world.

Talking about the thought behind inventing this product, Rajiv says, “This summer was one of the hottest ever recorded in many places, leaving millions of people grappling with unbearable heat. As we anticipate a future of warmer summers fuelled by the climate crisis, we have to find ways to adapt to the changing environment. This cooling headwear cap, which is a first-of-its-kind product in this space, has been designed to make the summers a little more bearable for people.”

The duo have worked on several notable projects and lent their expertise to the development of technologies and products that have played an important role in introducing modern technologies One such being their innovation of fully illuminated traffic light project which has been implemented in the city of Mumbai and now being visibly replicated elsewhere in the country.

Elaborating further on the product, he states, “The cap has been made using radiative cooling material that will safeguard people from extreme heat when they are in an outdoor space. Apart from being made with sustainable material, the cap is energy-free and carbon neutral. The cap reflects maximum sunlight back through the atmospheric window into space creating a cooling effect on the inside. It can achieve a cooling of more than minus 5 degrees than the outside temperature.”

The product designed and developed by the duo entrepreneurs serves as yet another testimony to the fact that Entrepreneurs in India are
also filled with visionaries that can create the kind of products that would not only help the people in the country adhere to an environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyle but also enable the entire world to treat the environment more empathetically.

The team is gearing up to lauch the product commercially very soon in the
coming months.

A ground-breaking global competition inviting high school students and educators worldwide to contribute their innovative ideas and solutions to combat the climate crisis, has today been launched by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and Burjeel Holdings.

The Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge culminates in a ceremony for ten finalists during COP28 in Dubai, later this December – five teams from the student category and five individuals from the teacher category. They will have the remarkable opportunity to present their solutions to a distinguished audience in Dubai, and the winners will earn a coveted spot in a bespoke program at Oxford Saïd. Furthermore, they will gain access to a vibrant community of influential entrepreneurs and thought leaders in innovation and social impact from around the globe.

The initiative, forged through a partnership between one of Europe’s leading business schools and one of the Middle East’s premier healthcare providers aims to give young people the visibility and recognition they deserve on the global stage. As the climate crisis looms large, it is crucial to address the challenges that future generations will face in the coming decades.

Soumitra Dutta, Peter Moores Dean at Oxford Saïd, said: ‘Climate change is the most urgent threat to humanity and our young people will be dealing with its impacts in ways we do not yet understand. We will only stop this crisis through bold thinking, innovation and creativity. That is why, together with Burjeel Holdings, we are asking today’s teachers and tomorrow’s leaders, change makers and innovators to imagine solutions now. I look forward to giving them a platform during COP28, and personally welcoming the winners to our School next year, where they will learn more about solving climate change from our world-leading academics.’

The competition invites students aged 15 to 18 to present their proposals for addressing the climate crisis across five key areas: air pollution, extreme weather events, water scarcity, food security, and vector-borne diseases. High school educators are encouraged to participate by submitting climate change lesson plans that raise awareness and inspire students to think creatively about tackling one of the most pressing concerns of our time.

Highlighting the importance of empowering students to drive meaningful solutions and accelerate climate action, Burjeel Holdings founder and chairperson, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, said, “We are thrilled to launch the Burjeel Holdings Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge, an initiative that sparks the transformative potential of the almost one billion-strong high school students and teachers around the world to have their ideas and lessons heard all around the world in addressing the generational issue of climate change. This competition serves as a platform to cultivate the next generation of change agents, empowering them to drive meaningful solutions and accelerate climate action. By fostering a spirit of collective responsibility, we are nurturing a powerful force that can shape a more sustainable world for themselves and future generations. Against the backdrop of a climate-focused year in the UAE, this challenge amplifies the voices of our youth, allowing them to play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter and greener future.”

The winning student team and educator will be awarded an exclusive opportunity to attend specially curated courses at Oxford Saïd in the spring of 2024, located within the prestigious University of Oxford. To learn more about the competition and participate, please visit the Climate Change Competition website for detailed information.

For media queries, contact:

Anshul Sharma,

anshul.sharma@sbs.ox.ac.uk