Top US official visits Chennai to promote environmental ties

United States Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and

International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R

Littlejohn visited Chennai to engage with civic leaders,

businesses, and academic institutions on U.S.-India cooperation

in science, green technology, and climate resilience, including

river restoration through the Ambassador’s Water Experts

Program.

Littlejohn said, “U.S.-India collaboration in science and

technology is crucial to solving our world’s greatest challenges,

from protecting biodiversity to combating the climate crisis

It’s also a key element of our bilateral relationship under the

U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Chennai demonstrates the power of this collaboration!  From

new innovations in solar and green technologies to the

Ambassador’s Water Experts Program (AWEP) that supports

Chennai in its goal to green its waterways, together we can

achieve prosperity and build resilient futures.”

At U.S. solar technology company First Solar’s manufacturing

plant in Sriperumpudur, Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn

engaged senior executives on solar energy technology and

sustainability practices during a tour of the facility

At IIT Madras Research Park, she toured facilities dedicated to

green technology and space startups.

Littlejohn also participated in a roundtable with green

technology entrepreneurs to foster innovation and

collaboration in environmental solutions ahead of a planned

partnership between the U.S. Consulate and the IIT Madras

Research Park to incubate and encourage green tech-driven

innovation and ecosystems. 

At Anna University, she took part in a roundtable with faculty,

researchers, and scholars focused on leveraging climate

modeling to strengthen local resilience strategies. 

During a meeting with Chennai Mayor R. Priya, Littlejohn and

Chennai Consul General Chris Hodges discussed the importance

of freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands,

in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The discussion underscored the critical role of sustainable

water management in urban planning and environmental

stewardship. Littlejohn emphasized the United States’

commitment to collaborating with Chennai through the

Ambassador's Water Experts Program, which aims to support

the city in adopting best practices for river restoration,

leveraging sister city and other partnerships.          

Littlejohn also met with river restoration and environmental

civil society representatives and alumni of United States

Department of State exchange programs to explore

collaborative efforts in advancing sustainable practices. 

Photo caption

Littlejohn with US Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges, Dr R.

Saravanan, Dr Bhaskaran and Dr J. Prakash