WDCD Live Delhi 2025: A Milestone for Design and Climate Justice
The 19th edition of What Design Can Do (WDCD) Live Delhi 2025 marked a historic moment as it took place for the first time in South Asia at the iconic India Habitat Centre on March 8, 2025. The sold-out event brought together 450 designers, innovators, and changemakers for an inspiring day filled with talks, workshops, and exhibitions focused on design’s role in addressing climate justice. In partnership with Unbox Cultural Futures, Quicksand, and The Design Village, the event explored innovative solutions for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future. WDCD Live Delhi 2025 was supported by the Global Methane Hub, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Netherlands Embassy, and Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council.
A Global Conversation on Design and Climate Justice
Over 30 changemakers from across the world—The Netherlands, the UK, USA, Mexico, and India—came together to share their insights on how design can address the climate crisis. Richard van der Laken, Co-Founder and Creative Director of WDCD, emphasized, “In times of crisis, creativity offers hope. Design can be a tool for disruption, and at WDCD Live Delhi 2025, we saw innovators leading the way forward.”
Challenging Conventional Thinking to Drive Change
Ayush Chauhan, Co-Founder of Unbox Cultural Futures and Quicksand, highlighted that the event revealed how challenging dominant systems and ways of working can create space for new ideas. “The event showcased how the design community is challenging unsustainable economic models and responding to the region’s unique challenges,” said Chauhan.
Sourabh Gupta, Co-Founder of The Design Village, noted, “WDCD Live Delhi 2025 demonstrated the power of community in action. The event was filled with inspiring discussions and an incredible turnout, showcasing the immense energy and creativity present in the room.”
Design as a Catalyst for Change
The festival began with the Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters' Coffee Brewing Workshop and quickly transitioned into a series of thought-provoking talks. Sandeep Virmani (Hunnarshala Foundation) demonstrated how low-carbon materials can be used to build sustainable homes across South Asia, drawing inspiration from nature as the ultimate designer.
María Conejo (Pussypedia.net) shared insights into the importance of accessible, reliable information about the female body—especially relevant as her talk coincided with International Women’s Day. Architect Thomas Rau emphasized the need for circularity in design and stressed that we are all guests on Earth.
Exploring the Power of Community
Deepali Khanna (Head of The Rockefeller Foundation's Asia Regional Office) spoke about the vital role communities play in preserving indigenous knowledge and how this wisdom should shape climate action decisions. Her talk underscored how South Asia, in particular, can lead the way in tackling climate change.
The morning also featured past WDCD Challenge winners, including Monish Siripurapu (Ant Studio—Beehive), Depanshu Gola (BreathEasy), and Namita Bhatnagar (BioSoothe). They shared how their projects integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology to address pressing issues like air pollution, body awareness, and sustainable practices.
Workshops for Action and Impact
The second half of the day saw a range of sold-out workshops, including:
- Systems Design Workshop by Sensing Local // Sobia
- Visualizing Climate Impact by Revisual Labs // Gurman Bhatia
- Waste Textile Lab by Femke van Gemert (NL)
- WDCD Challenge Design Jam by Lara Snatager + Mudita Pasari
- Climate Hackers and Makers by Dr. Kit Braybrooke (Swiss)
In these hands-on sessions, participants explored ways to create scalable, actionable solutions for climate challenges, with experts like Kailash Nadh (Rainmatter Foundation) and Som Ray (CLIP) offering practical insights on sustainability and urban mobility.
A Vision for the Future of Fashion
The festival concluded with a talk by Carla Fernandez, a Mexican fashion designer who presented her vision of a more sustainable and alternative fashion system. She highlighted her collaboration with Mexican artists and emphasized that the future of fashion is handmade and rooted in community-driven movements.
Showcasing Solutions for a Circular Future
The Project Showcase, supported by Godrej Design Lab, featured innovative climate solutions addressing themes such as super pollutants, community power, rethinking technology, and circular practices. Visitors were able to explore these cutting-edge exhibits and learn how design can shape a more sustainable future.
After Hours: A Celebration of Creativity and Camaraderie
The event culminated with an After Hours gathering at the British Council, where attendees reflected on the day’s takeaways and shared ideas for future collaboration. Highlights included immersive artworks like Nine Earths by D-fuse, exploring humanity’s resource demands, and Elsewhere in India by Avinash Kumar & DJ Murthy, which combined cultural heritage with digital technology.
As one attendee summed up, while the challenges ahead are immense, the event left everyone inspired by the creativity, resilience, and collaborative spirit needed to tackle these pressing global issues.
End of WDCD Live Delhi 2025
The 19th edition of WDCD Live in New Delhi marked a turning point in how design can drive positive change for a sustainable future. The event highlighted the power of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in addressing the climate crisis and building a better world for all.