Industry Integrating Environment Sustainability in the Developmental Trajectory
Sectoral pathways, access to finance for mitigation technologies, nature-based solutions, climate resilience in infrastructure, and the integration of artificial intelligence in climate initiatives are some of the avenues that industry must explore, suggests Chandrajit Banerjee.
Chandrajit Banerjee
Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry
The global economy is at crossroads, confronted by multi-dimensional predicaments caused by the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution). The interlinked disruptions associated with these critical issues such as environmental degradation, disaster-induced displacement, resource depletion, energy crisis and extreme weather changes, among others, are expected to escalate in the coming years. Climate change adaptation and mitigation demand collective action and has become a key priority for all countries.
India Leading the Conversation for
Global South
India is at the forefront of climate action with schemes and initiatives that center around the commitment of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. During the G20 Presidency, India led the discussions on climate change, global economic stability and challenges impacting Global South. CII, as the B20 secretariat, led the development agenda of strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth during the G20 discussion forums. CII worked with the seven taskforces and two action councils specially constituted to take forward this program. Several recommendations in G20 New Delhi Declaration came from the policy recommendations of these taskforces and councils that CII was closely involved in.
Industry Exploring Emerging
Opportunities
While India continues to navigate the pathway to a net-zero future, the role of industry is critical in this journey. Through prioritizing actions to accelerate decarbonization; adopting technologies & solutions that support transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy, and through initiatives that contribute to ecosystem restoration and conservation, Indian Industry is integrating environment sustainability in it’s developmental trajectory. The challenges posed by climate change are not viewed as impediments but rather as emerging opportunities. Sectoral pathways, access to finance for mitigation technologies, nature-based solutions, climate resilience in infrastructure, and the integration of artificial intelligence in climate initiatives are some of the avenues that industry must explore.
CII’s Role in the Sustainable
Development Journey
A key partner in India’s development and a leading Industry association, with close to 10,000 members, CII is committed to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth of Indian Industry across sectors. In the last 2 decades CII has established ten Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the area of green buildings, sustainable development, food and agriculture, water, logistics, quality, SME, manufacturing excellence and startups among others. CII, through these CoEs, contributes to nation building in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, water management and conservation, promoting energy efficiency, environment conservation and forest protection, and reducing emissions through green practices.
This article was contributed by Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII for the 2nd International Environment and Sustainability Summit (IESSG), Goa, organised on February 8-10, 2024 by the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
