We really need India to fight climate change, said British diplomat John Nickell at Ananta Conclave hosted by IMC Young Leaders Forum. The British diplomat said this during a panel discussion about ‘Global View on Sustainability’.
The Young Leaders Forum (YLF) of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiated an exclusive two-day exhibition and conclave Ananta by IMC on Thursday at the Nehru Exhibition Centre and Nehru Auditorium in Worli. The event aims to promote sustainable and conscious living by merging luxury with sustainability and ethical practices.
Inaugural photo
John Nickell, head of political and bilateral affairs at the British High Commission in Mumbai, said that Britain was the pioneer in industrial revolution and is now working to reverse the environmental impact caused due to it. “The youth has not caused the problem of climate change but has inherited it, still it is dedicated to solve the crisis. We really need India to fight climate change as it is the third largest population in the world. This fight cannot be won without India,” Nickell said.
Nickell called for cross-border partnerships in science and technology partnerships to mitigate climate change. He added that United Kingdom has collaborated with India to facilitate research and innovation in the field.
Kanika Chawla, sustainable aviation fuel business development leader at Airbus, was also a panelist for ‘Global View on Sustainability’ along Nickell and reflected on the aircraft manufacturing industry’s role in promoting sustainability. She said that Airbus targets to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 60% and Scope 3 emissions with 40% by 2030.
“We look at India as a SAF factory which can lower operational costs with sustainable measures. At Airbus, we do not look at sustainability as an obligation but rather a great business opportunity. In aviation sector, all the stakeholders including regulators, fuel and parts suppliers and passengers need to come together to solve the issue of climate change,” she added.
The conference, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Steel, focused on critical discussions around reducing carbon footprints, fostering innovative solutions, and promoting sustainable corporate governance. Experts delved into practical approaches to mitigating environmental impact, including the adoption of green technologies and ethical business frameworks.
Dr. Srikanta K. Panigrahi, Director General of the Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), was the Chief Guest for the occasion and inaugurated the exhibition. He said, “With visionary initiatives like these, India is poised to lead the world by 2047. As Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, the youth are no longer just the future but they are our present. Their leadership, shaped by the challenges of COVID, reflects their understanding of global crises and the need for sustainable solutions to secure our future.”
Sanjaya Mariwala, IMC President, said, “We are united by a shared vision that is a vision of a sustainable and developed India by 2047, inspired by our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s transformative agenda of Viksit Bharat @2047. Ananta is not just an event but a movement and a call to action for all of us to reimagine, innovate, and lead a path toward a more sustainable way of living.”
The exhibition features innovative sustainable products, ethical brands, and entrepreneurial enterprises from across India in sustainable categories, including fashion accessories, jewellery, kids wear, organic farm-to-table range, NGOs, educational institutions, and others that are associated with eco-friendly values.
