The 20th Global Sustainability Summit, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with its Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, was held in New Delhi. The summit showcased India’s role as a global model of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship, under the theme:“Reimagining Sustainability: Resilient. Regenerative. Responsible.”
Key Highlights
- Participation: Over 600 delegates from 10+ countries including policymakers, business leaders, researchers, and civil society.
- Focus Areas:
- Resilient Growth → Building economies that withstand shocks (environmental/economic).
- Regenerative Economy → Replenishing natural ecosystems alongside growth.
- Responsible Industry → Green manufacturing, sustainable supply chains, behavioral change.
- Policy Focus:
- Environment Audit Rules, 2025 (new framework for environmental accountability).
- Green Credit Programme (updates for incentivizing eco-friendly actions).
- Forest Rules, 2023 (promoting conservation and sustainable use of forests).
- Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change emphasized the balance between development and ecology.
India’s Leadership in Sustainability
- Renewable Energy Expansion:
- Renewable energy capacity 5x increase since 2014.
- 50% renewable capacity already installed (ahead of schedule).
- Target: 500 GW by 2030.
- Power prices: ₹4.60–₹5.00 per kWh for 24-hour clean supply – globally competitive.
- Solar tariff fell from ₹7–8 to ₹2.41 per unit via transparent bidding.
- One Nation, One Grid: National interconnected power grid for seamless distribution.
- UJALA Scheme (2015): Replaced incandescent bulbs with LEDs → massive energy savings & emission reduction.
- Balanced Approach: India emphasized no contradiction between coal dependency and renewables expansion in the transition phase.
Significance
- Reinforces India’s global leadership in climate action.
- Promotes circular economy principles – minimizing waste, maximizing reuse.
- Focuses on inclusive growth benefitting communities + ecosystems.
- Highlights India’s proactive role in green industrialization, biodiversity protection, and climate-smart innovation.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
- Established: 1895
- Type: Non-government, industry-led, industry-managed organization.
- HQ: New Delhi
- Works with Government, industry, and civil society to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.
- Organizes flagship summits like: India Economic Summit, Global Sustainability Summit, Partnership Summit.
India & Global Climate Commitments
- Paris Agreement (2015): India committed to reducing emission intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): India pledged 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): HQ in Gurugram, India; launched by India & France in 2015.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Global movement launched by India at COP26, Glasgow (2021).
Important Indian Schemes on Sustainability
- National Electric Mobility Mission (2013) → promotes EV adoption.
- Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme → improves industrial energy efficiency.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) → aims for 5 MMT production capacity by 2030.
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008) → umbrella program for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, etc.