IISD-CMI Joined as Thematic Partner to State Bank Of India (SBI)'s first edition of Green Marathon, at University of Delhi, Polo Ground, North Campus, at New Delhi on 25th March 2018

- Around 3000 Runners participated in the Green Marathon, in Delhi
- SBI is committed for next 10 years to take Green Marathon to 15 Other Indian Cities
- Launches a unique sustainability drive to promote growing plants from seeds in the Bibs
- IISD-CMI captioned the theme of this Green Marathon as "Run for the Planet

State Bank of India (SBI) - the country's Largest Public Sector Bank - launched its annual flagship programme 'SBI Green Marathon' to promote sustainability, along with Indian Institute Of Sustainable Development (IISD), New Delhi and it's Initiative Carbon Minus India (CMI), who joined as the Thematic Partner and Partnering Supporting Organizations to this great event.

Kuldeep Singh, Indian women freestyle wrestling coach and Shri Alok Kumar Choudhary, CGM, SBI, Delhi circle along with Anadi Barua, Ex-International Footballer and coach, flagged off the event that witnessed around 3000 Enthusiastic Runners.

On a fine Sunday morning, The Polo Ground, Delhi University, North Campus area, observed participants from across the city running 2, 5, 10, 21 Kms marathon and pledged for a greener future. Senior officials of the SBI, along with Staffs, Core Team-IISD Members and Volunteers Of Partnering Organizations, like IISD and CMI also Participated and ran the marathon along with Other participants.

All the runners were given saplings to promote clean and green city and the runners' bib, consisted of seeds for tree plantation, post Marathon. SBI Green Marathon, in the span of 7 weeks, Covered 6 cities, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, with the event concluded in NewDelhi.

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IISD-CMI Joined as a Partnering Supporting Organizations to State Bank Of India (SBI), the India's largest Bank 's Green Marathon, where Indian Institute Of Sustainable Development (IISD), New Delhi and it's Initiative Carbon Minus India (CMI) were the Thematic Partner to this great event. The Second SBI Green Marathon was hosted, on February 18, 2019; in the JawaharLal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi; with

- The theme of the event was sustainability
- Saplings were provided to each runner, in each city
- Bio Degradable & Recyclable materials were Optimally used for this event
- Runner's Bibs were consisted of seeds, which can be planted post the Marathon
- All the runners were given T-Shirt made from 100% recycled plastics

This Green Marathon was organized at 2, 5,10 and 21 Kilometers Run Tracks in 6 Cities of the Country, starting from 4th of February, 2019, in Mumbai, followed by Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and concluding in Chandigarh on March 4. The Bank, along with Indian Institute Of Sustainable Development (IISD), New Delhi has embarked on this sustainability initiative of conducting a marathon run, with an underlying concept of a greener and cleaner Planet. This program was looking forward to taking this Green Marathon to more Indian Cities from the upcoming financial year. Around 25000 participants in all 6 Cities Participated in this historic event. The "Run for the Planet" theme, recognizes every participating individual, as agents of change for a Greener Globe.

Runners were given Saplings to promote their City as a cleanest and greenest One. Even the runner's Bib would consist of seeds, which can be planted post the Marathon. Also Bio Degradable and Recyclable Material is to be used by the Bank and it's Partnering Institutes and Organizations, in most part of event execution. Mr. Prashant Kumar, DMD (HR) & CDO, SBI said, "As a responsible Corporate Citizen, We at SBI have pursued the Business Philosophy of Integrated Sustainability, which seeks to leverage the synergy between Social, Environment and Economic aspects of Business. With the SBI Green Marathon, the Bank has reaffirmed and endorsed its continued commitment towards Sustainable Development. We hope with a large number of participants, People of India and especially our customers, would appreciate our efforts towards saving the environment for a better future for our generations".

Dr Srikanta K. Panigrahi, Director General, Indian Institute Of Sustainable Development (IISD), New Delhi; kept his view - "Environmental protection has come out to be a concern area, which touches every life inhabiting this Planet. Efforts are made worldwide to work for a greener Planet. Ensuring Sustainable development will always be a serious challenge. But today environmental sustainability is a need of the hour. Initiatives like these create awareness among people about the importance of a safe environment for a healthy living."