DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE SUSTAINABLE, NOT DETRIMENTAL - Dr. Samit Sharma

“ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY” -Vijai N
Member Secretary - Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board
Government of Rajasthan

Jaipur, 19 July: All the industries should be made water neutral and self sufficient. They should have systems of rainwater harvesting and waste water treatment plants. There is a need to develop and adopt technology that minimizes the usage of water. These steps will ensure that the development happening in our country is sustainable and not detrimental to the environment. This was stated by Secretary – PHED & Ground Water, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Samit Sharma today at the 7th edition of the Environment Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Giving the examples of countries like Japan and Israel, Dr. Sharma further said that there is a need to contribute positively to the system of water management. He urged the attendees to prohibit the misuse and wastage of water supplies even in their homes, given the massive groundwater depletion in the state of Rajasthan.

Member Secretary – Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, Government of Rajasthan, Mr. Vijai N articulated that sustainability represents an ideal state that society should aspire to achieve. He stressed the necessity of maintaining a balance among the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—through a comprehensive and holistic approach. To realize this equilibrium, he highlighted several essential steps, including fostering inclusive growth, ensuring equal access to basic services, and conserving natural resources.

Chief Operating Officer, JCB India Ltd, Mr. Sunil Khurana emphasized the urgent need to address the rapid consumption of natural resources, warning that we are on a trajectory that could lead to their imminent exhaustion. He highlighted the critical importance of not only managing but also actively reducing waste across various sectors. Mr. Khurana pointed out that electricity generation, transportation, and industrial activities are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the necessity for stringent control measures to mitigate their environmental impact.

Immediate Past Chairman of CII Rajasthan and Managing Director of Manu Yantralaya Private Limited, Mr. Abhinav Banthia, stated that the event aims to promote awareness and inspire action towards sustainability. He underscored the four pillars of CII's Vision 2030 on climate change: low carbon initiatives, circular economy practices, collaborative efforts, and the establishment of a balanced ecosystem.

Chairman and MD of EKI Energy Services Ltd., Manish Dabkara discussed the importance of carbon credits and the pursuit of carbon neutrality as essential components for industries aiming to reduce their environmental impact. He highlighted the need for incentives to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, he mentioned the significance of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) credits in promoting responsible resource management. He also advocated for the subsidized distribution of biogas systems as a practical solution to enhance renewable energy adoption and decrease waste.

Deputy Executive Director, Mr. N. Muthusezhiyan highlighted the critical issue of severe water scarcity affecting many regions in India, emphasizing the urgent need for resource conservation. He advocated for companies to enhance product design to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Muthusezhiyan also discussed the numerous benefits of green buildings, including lower operating costs and improved health and safety outcomes.

Senior Director & Head – Rajasthan Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Nitin Gupta highlighted the theme of the event 'Roadmap for Sustainability: Think Green, Embrace Green and Save Water'. He informed that the event will discuss several crucial topics including, 'The Role of Policy and Regulation in Green Revolution', 'Role of RSPCB in Creating Green Industry', 'Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)', 'Carbon Credit Trading Scheme', 'Green Credit Mechanism', 'Waste to Health', Greenko Ratings, etc.

As many as 14 Green Rating Companies were also presented awards on the occasion. Some of them included Hero MotoCorp, Daikin, HPCL, etc.

Later there were two plenary sessions on the topics ‘The Role of Policy and Regulation in Green Revolution’ and ‘The Path Forward: Carbon Reduction, Embracing the Circular Economy’.