This is because, in the pursuit of a dignified life, providing access to energy resources is critical and Governments around the world will have to ensure this. Our development journey relies heavily on energy and we lead energy-driven life. Perhaps this is why during global dialogues on the topic of sustainability, speakers often wonder if we can continue to consume at the same pace and can the planet survive / continue to exist with this extent of resource depletion. They also wonder if there will be any resources left on this planet if we continue to consume at the same pace.

When we look at the numbers, India is often placed as number one, third or fourth in the list of carbon emitters. India has the world’s 17 per cent population, and our carbon emissions is 4 or 5 per cent but if one adds the population of 17 developed countries, and when their population is equal to the population of India, you will see that their carbon emission is as much as 60 per cent! The world is on a development journey that cannot be halted, so global deliberations should shift the focus not on measuring carbon emissions but rather, measuring the per capita emission consumption.

The second topic that should be focused on is the question of longevity of resources. How long can the resources last if we deplete them at the current pace? Another topic that is very pertinent under the issue of climate change is that of global warming. Even the speakers before me talked about this issue. However, with the increasing temperature, how much of the biological resources and biodiversity of the planet will remain? With global warming, new challenges such as impact on productivity of agricultural land and desertification of fertile land will emerge. This will create the problem of food security in the future.

Which is why I’ll like to highlight my first point again. With the current consumption practices, survival of humankind itself will be a challenge. How can we continue to exist with the existing pattern of consumption? To give you an example, if a country from the African subcontinent such as Ethiopia follows the consumption pattern of most developed countries, then the available resources in one world will not be enough. We’ll need the resources from at least seven different worlds. In India, even though we have the world’s 17 per cent population, our consumption pattern is similar to that of a country from the African subcontinent; this is because of our lifestyle.

The third topic that I’ll like to talk about today emerges from the first two challenges of the world’s existential crisis and longevity of resources. It is the need for creating a balance three important concerns - environment, economy and equity. Whenever we talk about the developed and developing countries, such as in Paris Agreement; there was an announcement regarding the Loss and Damage Fund in Sharm El Sheikh; the global stocktake in the UAE conference (COP 28), and now, when the COP 29 is to be held this time in Baku, Azerbaijan, it is being said that, developed countries are responsible for most of the carbon emission right now. They have developed their industries and this has led to emissions and they admit that it is their historical responsibility, which is why they have committed to provide 100 billion dollars and technology transfer. However, both these promises have not been fulfilled till date. When the new quantifiable goals of the world will be decided, it will be calculated based on the amount of current emissions, and according to the energy need of the developing countries, as well as factor in by how much they will have to increase their energy resources, and if you add all this, USD 100 billion will look miniscule. It is estimated that more than USD 5 trillion will be needed by the world.

This is why I’d like to reiterate the three concerning topics again. The first is environment; the second is economy, and the third is equity. Every person has the right to dignified life and that is why the key idea is how to use the resources, and how to best utilize the resources globally - this is the core idea of sustainability and all deliberations should center on this topic. The first topic under this is about the consumption pattern and just now, Chandrajit ji and Sanjiv ji, also mentioned this when they spoke about the water crisis. Under Mission LiFE, we connect with youths studying in universities all over the country to take ideas for LiFE from them. We do this to explore ideas for creating start-ups, and for innovative research that can contribute towards strengthening our economy better. What has emerged is seven core ideas and the need for new projects, start-ups, and innovations on these ideas.

The first big idea is to save food. Globally, we waste food worth to USD 1.5 trillion every year. The second idea is to save water. The third idea is to save energy. In this hall, the AC can run even at 23 degrees. However, since there is energy, we are using it. So, save food, save water, save energy, and waste. How can waste be converted into energy? It can, however, the amount of waste generated has become small. The fifth concern area is that of e-waste. The sixth danger is healthy lifestyle and the seventh is complete ban of single-use plastic; we will have to go for an alternative.

This is why, I’ll like to focus on environment sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. In any policy framework, the Government creates a rhythm of all three issues; by balancing these three concerns, you can move ahead on this topic in the country. MoEFCC is a kind of a nodal ministry; the regulations made by the ministry factor in the Government’s approach, and these are implemented in a cordial manner by other ministries. For example, in the case of e-waste, the regulations made by us are implemented by the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology; for toxic and hazardous industrial waste, steps are taken by the Ministry of Chemicals; for scrap metal, Ministry of Steel implements the rules; for end-of-life vehicles, Ministry of Road Transport; for Gypsum-based building materials by DPIIT; for used oil, by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; for solar panel, it is done by the Ministry of Renewable Energy and for municipal solid waste, it is done by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

We understand the reality of all these issues, and we understand that circular economy will emerge as a global challenge soon. To promote circular economy in India, we have developed action plans for two sectors - tire and rubber, so that waste emerging from these two is addressed. For the start-ups to work in this new emerging area (circular economy), Government wants to enhance the following two areas: reuse and recycle. Considering the important role of circular economy, several policies, rules, regulation and programs have been launched in this regard. In the last few days, Government has put up a public consultation for several of the 2016 waste management rules, whether it is Solid Waste Management Rules or the Plastic Waste Management Rules. In urban areas, waste emerging from new developments is one of the biggest issue, so rules related to construction and demolition waste management, along with e-waste management rules also (as much as it is increasing) were also put up for public discussion in 2022. Along with e-waste, the Government is also taking steps to strengthen battery waste management rules (as work related to electric vehicle will continue). We have made amendments in hazardous and other waste rules of 2016; Circular economy is an emerging issue and some of the biggest issues under this topic have been addressed through extended producer responsibility for tire, used oil and biomedical waste.

The notification for ash utilization as well as for motor vehicle registration, functions and vehicle scrapping facility were also issues by the Government. As part of it’s program, the Government has come out with waste management rules, Swachh Bharat Mission (for cleanliness of cities), as well as the GOBARdhan initiative. To plan for all these initiatives, schemes such as Startup India; Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY); Atmanirbhar Bharat; Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY); Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK); Jan Shikshan Sansthan; Advanced Vocational Training Scheme, have been launched. To enhance green skills, the Government has brought out a new program.

Even in the electronic system space, if we want to move forward in this area, and if we want entrepreneurs also to work in this space, then electronic system, design, manufacturing sectors have to be strengthened. The Government has made a list in this regard and a specific program, along with some key initiatives have been taken by India under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, such as the National Resource Efficiency Policy, specifically on bio-economy and bio-fuel. Several initiatives by NITI Aayog have also been taken to promote this area at regular intervals. This is such an important issue, that we have to prioritize on two areas: to promote clean energy and at the same time, develop new markets for such energy.

At COP 28, the Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the Green Credit Fund. Another recent campaign launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the International Environment Day (June 5, 2024), was the, ‘Ek Ped Maa K Naam’ initiative. However, there is a need for the corporate sector to join this initiative as part of their social responsibility. After the notification of this plan, it has been launched as a pilot project in the last 100 days of the Government, and a specific area and target has been given to this initiative. I am happy to inform you, that on the basis of this pilot project, we will expand this project as the citizens of India have shown great interest in this project. The community-led campaign saw more than 50 crore people coming to log their sample and registering on our portal.

We have always said that along with increasing this green initiative, the Government needs to strengthen the carbon market also, and our Energy Ministry has taken steps in this regard and you (CII) have given me necessary policy document in this regard. However, while you have taken several initiatives in these existing issues, in the coming future, the concern for creating a circular economy will become a priority all over the world. As the world will continue to increase focus in this one area, I’ll like to remind you that the Government of India has already done a lot of work in terms of ease of doing business in circular economy through policies, legislations and rules. I feel that on a joint platform, if we talk about the initiatives and vision of the Government in every sector of the circular economy, then definitely, the policy document that has been given to me by the CII, specifically on the topic of increasing research will be highlighted. That’s because, when research increases, then automatically, along with environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability will also happen (as the market will expand with research). In the policy framework also, when we talk about ease of doing business, it has been observed that the market increases with research. The third topic that will increase with research and market, is skillsets. For example, when we re-use waste, there will be a need for skill upgradation for handling such activities.

On all the three topics of policy, the Government continues to work progressively. Perhaps this is why, today, the Home Minister of our country has also given a report card of 100 days, and if you see the Government's work in the last 100 days, you will see that most of the work has been done to increase infrastructure, as well as to increase the recycle economy with infrastructure and to form a co-operation for this. Many climate action programs have also been run by the Government under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. We have already talked about how Government is promoting adaptation measures in India through Mission LiFE. If we want to sustain the planet socially, environmentally and economically, governments around the world should focus on both mitigation as well as adaptation measures, and at the same time, bring a global mindset change in consumption pattern. Consumption cannot be proscribed, but there should be mindful consumption rather than mindless utilization.

And this is why, if we all make our own contribution towards mindful consumption then with environmental sustainability, economic growth and ecological growth, we can move forward in building a sustainable world. An institution like CII can contribute very well through research, innovation, practice and cooperation. This is also what I expect from you. Thank you very much.