On April 18, 2026, Juhi Chawla Mehta, co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), officially kickstarted the "Runs to Roots" initiative for the current IPL season. Under this environmental program, KKR has pledged to plant 10 trees for every run scored by their batsmen during the tournament. This initiative aims to offset the carbon footprint of the sporting event and promote large-scale afforestation. It represents a growing trend of "Green Sports" in India, merging the massive popularity of cricket with climate action and sustainability goals.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Juhi Chawla Mehta announced the 2026 edition of the "Runs to Roots" campaign. The team has committed to planting 10 saplings for every single run made by a KKR batsman throughout the IPL season, linking sporting performance directly to environmental conservation.
The announcement was made on April 18, 2026, coinciding with the peak of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with primary planting sites designated across West Bengal and other regions.
This topic is relevant to the Environment and Ecology section of exams. It highlights how private entities can contribute to India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. It also demonstrates the concept of Carbon Offsetting in the entertainment and sports sector.
In previous seasons, KKR has supported organic farming and waste management. The "Runs to Roots" model specifically gained traction as a measurable way to link the excitement of the game with tangible environmental results.
The initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Legally, such activities fall under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, which mandates Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for profitable companies in India.
If successful, this model could be adopted by other IPL franchises and sports leagues globally. It sets a precedent for "Event-Based Afforestation," where the scale of environmental benefit grows with the success of the event itself.
Core Concept: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Green Sports
Q1. Under the 'Runs to Roots' initiative, how many trees does KKR pledge to plant for every run scored?
A) 1 tree
B) 5 trees
C) 10 trees
D) 100 trees
Answer: C
Explanation: The 2026 initiative specifically pledges 10 trees per run scored.
Q2. Which section of the Companies Act, 2013, makes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandatory in India?
A) Section 121
B) Section 135
C) Section 144
D) Section 152
Answer: B
Explanation: Section 135 mandates that eligible companies spend 2% of their average net profit on social and environmental causes.
Q3. Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is most directly supported by large-scale afforestation initiatives?
A) SDG 1 (No Poverty)
B) SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
C) SDG 15 (Life on Land)
D) SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality)
Answer: C
Explanation: SDG 15 focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and forests.
Q4. The 'Runs to Roots' initiative is primarily associated with which IPL franchise?
A) Mumbai Indians
B) Chennai Super Kings
C) Kolkata Knight Riders
D) Royal Challengers Bangalore
Answer: C
Explanation: The initiative was launched by Juhi Chawla Mehta, the co-owner of KKR.
Q5. What is the primary environmental objective of 'Green Cricket' initiatives like planting trees for runs?
A) To increase stadium attendance
B) To reduce the ticket prices
C) To offset the carbon footprint of the event
D) To promote chemical fertilizers
Answer: C
Explanation: Such initiatives aim to balance the emissions caused by travel, energy use, and logistics of a major sporting tournament.
Q6. Which city hosted the official kickstart of the 2026 'Runs to Roots' campaign?
A) Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Kolkata
D) Chennai
Answer: C
Explanation: As the home base of KKR, Kolkata was the site for the initiative's launch.
PYQ 1:
The "Green Game" concept, where a team wears jerseys made from recycled plastic, was first popularized in India by which IPL team?
Answer: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
PYQ 2:
Assertion (A): India is the first country to mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by law.
Reason (R): The Companies Act, 2013, requires certain companies to spend 2% of their net profits on social welfare.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question: "Evaluate the role of sports-led environmental initiatives in achieving India's climate goals and fostering public awareness."
For Prelims, memorize the ratio (10:1) and the nodal person. For Mains, use this as a "Value Addition" example when writing about Corporate Social Responsibility or Innovative Solutions for Climate Change.