The Centre for Science and Environment was started in 1980 by a group of engineers, scientists, journalists and environmentalists to catalyse the growth of public awareness on vital issues in science, technology, environment and development.

Today, Centre for Science and Environment is considered one of India’s leading environmental NGOs specialising in sustainable natural resource management. Its strategy of knowledge-based activism has won it wide respect and admiration for its quality of campaigns, research and publications. CSE promotes solutions for India’s numerous environmental threats – of ‘ecological poverty’ and extensive land degradation on one hand, and rapidly growing toxic degradation of uncontrolled industrialisation and economic growth on the other.

CSE’s core values of
respect for science;
equity for all;
respect for nature’s diversity;
respect for traditional knowledge;
public participation; and
environmental sustainability,
have inspired citizens and communities to take action and find sustainable solutions.

CSE’s role is to help India create a sustainable society even in the worst of circumstances, marked by poverty, illiteracy, inequality, and population growth.

CSE’s organisational culture is built around an information-knowledge-wisdom chain that helps make people aware of the emerging problems and helps in building constituencies. CSE identifies solutions (intellectual leadership) and then pushes for change through lobbying with politicians and bureaucrats. CSE’s educational and training programmes are knowledge investments that seek to build capacities of managers and future leaders.

The Centre’s efforts are built around five broad activities:

	Communication for Awareness
	Research and Advocacy
	Education and Training
	Documentation
	Pollution Monitoring