Climate finance is one of the key elements to unlock resources and drive action in achieving net zero and fighting climate change. Although climate goals are set, implementation efforts require momentum. There should be robust financing mechanisms and rigorous solutions to develop and deploy climate mitigation technologies, promote adaptation, and build resilience.

India is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Several companies, major investors and financial institutions are interested and have been adopting sustainable business plans that are in line with a 1.5°C future and transition to a decarbonized economy. But achieving this goal is a massive task as it presents huge challenges. According to a study by Standard Chartered Plc, India will require $17.77 trillion to meet its long-term net-zero goals with additional resources worth $12.4 trillion to complete the green journey.

The session will focus on the challenges and opportunities in financing climate action. It will further discuss on the role of stakeholders in mobilizing finances for achieving India’s climate goals.

Climate change is now the biggest risk threatening energy, financial markets, nature, and communities. Scaling up renewable energy sources is a key pillar to mitigate the risks and reach carbon neutrality. Globally, there has been a shift in investments from thermal coal and coal power generation towards renewables in the last few years.

India’s intent is to achieve 500GW of its installed capacity through non-fossil fuels and 50% of its energy requirement from renewables by 2030 coupled with a net zero target by 2070. Out of this, 157.32 GW of total non-fossil based installed energy capacity has been achieved. Efforts have been undertaken to strengthen and expand the domestic RE manufacturing eco-system. Last year, India launched the Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange, a global initiative that will accelerate clean energy innovation among countries. As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates, by 2029-30, the share of renewable energy generation would increase from 18% to 44%, while that of thermal is expected to reduce from 78% to 52%¹.

The session will bring together stakeholders to discuss how can India scale up renewable energy capacities to achieve the aspirational target. It will further explore the action plans by businesses and policy makers to accelerate usage of renewable energy including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth in the country.

The major cause of air pollution in urban areas is vehicular emissions which lead to a wide range of issues such as global warming, environmental degradation, and health implications. The Indian transport sector is responsible for 13.5 per cent of India’s energy-related CO₂ emissions, with road transport accounting for 90 per cent of the sector’s total final energy consumption followed by rail and domestic aviation (both at 4 per cent) (IEA, 2020). Vehicles are one of the major sources of air pollution in India accounting for approximately 15 to 20 % of PM₁₀ emissions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to shift to clean, efficient and environment friendly transportation systems to achieve improved air quality, also leading to job creation as well as  economic development. The Government is also taking initiatives towards green transportation through formulation of several policies and regulations such as leapfrogging to BS VI, FAME II, PLI Scheme for Automobiles and Auto components, National Mission on Transformative Mobility and battery storage and Vehicle Scrappage policy.  A crucial aspect for India will be to effectively implement ambitious policies and schemes at all levels of government, drawing lessons from existing transport policies from around the world.

A modal shift needs to take place in mass transit options such as metros, railways and intra city buses. Encouraging facilities like pedestrians’ walkways, green urban spaces and green buffer zones will give way to cleaner transportation. The system should also be geared to last mile connectivity. Large scale integration of the new modal technology innovations is crucial for an effective and reliable modal shift. A unique confluence of IT and manufacturing skills could help in leading the way towards sustainable mobility solutions.

The session will bring together entrepreneurs working in this field to discuss actions and opportunities for industry to work collaboratively and identify actionable and specific solutions for India’s future mobility system. It will also discuss on policy support required for such transformations.

Air Pollution and its impacts on the environment and human health are threatening the integrity and security of economies and the quality of life, more so for low-middle income countries. Globally 99% of the population breaths dirty air, causing 4.2 million deaths every year due to ambient air pollution. The anthropogenic emissions responsible for ambient air pollution are intricately dependent on the current production and consumption trends. Product stewardship has therefore huge potential to address ambient air pollution as this approach extends beyond manufacturing processes and products, to include the supply chain and multiple product life cycles/stages. Companies can also gain a competitive edge by applying product stewardship for environmental friendlier products operations and services. Besides, Industry 4.0 sets forth the requirements for reducing emissions and becoming more sustainable where data management, the Internet of Things and extended product service systems are tightly linked with traditional manufacturing and logistic processes. Investors and society are looking for socially responsible businesses and Business models. ESG based investment are maturing and form a significant part of investors’ portfolio. The session will discuss how such strategies and frameworks can support the cleaner air and whether there is need of a separate framework to drive business agenda for product stewardship and clean air.

Women, who are the pillars of society, are committed to advancing the ideas of sustainability. Across sectors, women’s expertise has transformed lives and livelihoods, and increased resilience and overall well-being of the environment. Women leaders play a powerful and indispensable role in driving progress in achieving a sustainable tomorrow.  Their voices are vital in the fight against global challenges and in driving bold actions on behalf of the people and planet.

The session will focus on accomplished women champions who are fighting for a healthy planet and trying to change the world for the better. It will highlight their journey on being the torchbearers of sustainability in the most inspiring way.

India has become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China as per the Economic Survey 2021-22. New age startups have focused on innovative and economically viable solutions to accelerate environmental and social impact. Climate change catastrophes, water crisis, health concerns, and pollution, over the last decade have attracted the attention of entrepreneurs. Evolving technologies and policies globally, as well as private investments have created a healthy ecosystem for start-ups to experiment and develop solutions suited for India.

India is making conscious efforts to change lifestyles, support communities and conserve resources. The role of startups is vital in taking leaps towards sustainable development. The session will focus on environmental and social startups who are changemakers in creating a sustainable world.

There is an intrinsic link between the issues associated with climate, ecosystems, and society. Changes in one may lead to severe consequences in another. The impacts of climate catastrophes reverberate around the globe through natural and socio-economic systems. Loss of biodiversity, growing pollution, and the pandemic are intertwined with rising inequality affecting the most vulnerable. As the systems are connected, the potential for crises to spread grows ever greater.

Unprecedented global risks have given rise to a constantly changing world. There is more evidence than ever that unplanned and uncontrolled development has risked the Earth systems with irreversible consequences. In order to convert these risks into opportunities, it is important to understand the interconnections with natural, socio-economic, and human systems. Local and regional involvement is equally significant to stimulate effective bottoms-up transformation. Global and local stakeholders representing government and businesses should recognize the interdependent nature of global challenges.

The session will address global sustainability risks, the interconnections and how to convert them into opportunities. It will highlight how integrated local and regional actions can propel change for a better tomorrow.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This unprecedented rate of development is set against a backdrop of resource constraints, environmental degradation and climate change impacts. With material requirements outstripping supply, there is an urgent need for a system that is restorative and regenerative by design and makes effective use of resources.
Being a major resource consumer and emitter of greenhouse gases, industry has the responsibility to transition to a more sustainable growth model which will enable them to do more with less. Over the course of last decade, circular economy models have garnered support from a growing number of businesses and governments. Transitioning to a circular economy allows industry to decouple resource consumption from economic growth while remaining competitive.

Businesses in India are increasingly integrating circular economy principles into their operations, which will help in achieving their climate change, biodiversity, and water conservation related targets. This session will showcase some of the initiatives being taken by the Indian industry to transition to a circular economy. Stakeholders from different sectors will share knowledge on the steps being taken to integrate circularity not just into their operations but also across their entire supply chain. The session will also highlight the need for collaborative and data-driven action to drive a circular economy.

Plastic production has soared from two million metric tons in 1950 to 348 million metric tons in 2017, becoming a global industry valued at USD 523 billion. Plastic is used for numerous applications and across many sectors, ranging from packaging to construction. By 2040, production is expected to double yet again. Nearly 40% of plastics are used in packaging, making it the largest application of plastics. Consequently, plastic packaging is the largest contributor to plastic pollution. A significant proportion of plastic packaging is mismanaged which leads to serious consequences such as: overflowing landfills, adverse effect on marine life, urban flooding, wastage of resources, and contribution to air pollution and climate change. No single solution for can address mismanaged plastic packaging waste; however, collaboration between different stakeholders across the plastic packaging value chain can bring about change. The India Plastics Pact provides this platform for collaboration for businesses, governments and citizen to transform the plastics packaging value chain from linear to circular.

The focus of this session will be to showcase activities of the Pact in its first year. The India Plastics Pact, the first Plastics Pact in Asia, has joined a global network of 13 Plastics Pacts. The session will focus on the

• India Plastics Pact Roadmap
• baseline data received from the India Plastics Pact members
• interventions by India Plastics Pact members to achieve the targets of the Pact

Speakers at the session would include representatives from government, and IPP members, supporters and partners.