New Delhi :   Lending the support towards addressing the need to build a green economy, Fiinovation, a research based consultancy in CSR and Sustainability domain, participated in the 17th World Congress on Environment Management as Principle Knowledge Partners. Organised by the Institute of Directors (IOD), the event was held on July 10-11, 2015 at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The aim of the two-day event was to explore and deliberate upon the need to strategize and integrate environment management policies within the business framework and ensure smooth transition towards a greener economy.

Highlighting the urgent need to incorporate sustainability within the business operations, as the world is likely to be water stressed by 2030, Mr. Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO, Fiinovation, said, “Many countries will soon be fighting over water and not for oil. We should take the opportunity to earnestly think and imbibe environment management processes and policies in our operations.” He further reiterated that the journey undertaken by the present generation is already under 50% debt, and they do not have the right to take away from the future generations.

The Chief Guest of the conference Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, highlighted the need to create a balance in the natural system. He also pin-pointed the need for the climate change fund and less IPR influence that can ensure benefits for developing and under-developed countries to address climate change risks. Speaking on behalf of the present government, he said, “Regular amendments of laws are necessary to address climate change and we are working on bringing a new legal infrastructure that will make processes simpler and focus on a policy based regime.” Apart from this, he drew attention to the various initiatives undertaken by the ministry such as re-forestation, carbon budgeting and affluent monitoring systems. He also congratulated the Prime Minister for Swachh Bharat campaign and said it will create ripple effects in cleaning the environment with improved waste management and increased green cover.

The conference comes at the right time with nations planning to come together in Paris to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals and work towards a better environment for all.

Additionally, the conference focused upon topics such as  the crucial role of ICT in environment management and socio-economic development, telecommunications, renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, e-services/conferences, putting a price on carbon, empowerment of women to nurture environment, smart cities, reduction in plastic use and spreading awareness about environment management through schools and universities among other topics.

The event was graced by eminent personalities from the field such as the Rt. Hon. Baroness Verma, Minister for International Development, Govt. of UK; Justice M N Venkatachaliah, Chairman IOD, and former Chief Justice of India, Rakesh Garg, Secretary, Dept of Telecommunication, Ministry of Communication & IT, Govt. of India; Namita Vikas, Sr. President, Yes Bank Ltd.; Avinash Vasistha, Chairman and Geography MD, Accenture; Ramita Vyas, Head- Quality, Risk and BCM, VFS Global; Dr. A. K. Dubey, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India; George N. Sibley, Minister Counsellor Economic, Environment, Science and Technology Affairs, Embassy of the United States; Sandy Sheard, Counsellor and Head – Energy, Climate & Growth Unit, British High Commission New Delhi; Sigvald T. Hauge, Minister Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy in India; Anna Warrington, Director, Forum for the Future India among others.

The conference ended with the felicitation of the winners of the Golden Peacock Awards in the presence of the Guest of Honour Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament; Mr. Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO, Fiinovation; Mr. Lavasa, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and others. The Awards recognised the work of the enterprises which have achieved significant achievement in the field of environment management.