Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, addressed FICCI’s 97th Annual General Meeting, urging industries to harmonize shareholder interests with broader environmental and social responsibilities. He stressed the need to integrate climate action, energy efficiency, and sustainable consumption into corporate strategies.
The minister highlighted measures to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, especially during November’s challenging climatic conditions. Industrial units across the region have significantly transitioned to cleaner fuels: Delhi has converted 7,442 of 7,759 units, Haryana 2,954 of 3,141 units, Uttar Pradesh 2,183 of 2,273 units, and Rajasthan 482 of 522 units. Additionally, initiatives such as BS-VI fuel standards and SATAT (Sustainable Alternatives towards Affordable Transportation) are being promoted to reduce vehicular emissions.
The Green Credit Programme (GCP), part of the Green Credit Initiative, has achieved significant progress within its first 100 days. A total of 22 public sector units have utilized the GCP portal, impacting nearly 47,937 hectares of land. This market-based initiative aligns with the government’s target of increasing India’s green cover to 33%.
Union Minister Yadav also introduced regulatory frameworks for ten waste categories under the circular economy initiative. These include lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, hazardous industrial waste, scrap metal, tyres, end-of-life vehicles, gypsum, used oil, municipal solid waste, and solar panels. The circular economy approach, he emphasized, is critical for optimizing resource use and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Dr Anish Shah, FICCI’s President, reaffirmed India’s target of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030, with renewable energy production currently costing 40% less than fossil fuels. He commended India’s leadership in addressing global environmental challenges such as floods and heatwaves.
FICCI President-Elect HarshaVardhan Agarwal highlighted the collective effort needed for sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and achieving net-zero goals. He noted that Indian businesses are actively investing in green technologies and prioritizing low-carbon and inclusive growth to align with the government’s sustainability roadmap. India’s commitment to sustainability and climate action was strongly reaffirmed, with government and industry leaders united in their resolve to drive progress towards a cleaner, greener future.
