sustainability orientation is a competitive need concludes CII summit
6th Sustainability Summit & Exhibition on the central theme Sustainability Solutions, organised by the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development was held at New Delhi. Dr. Gunter Pauli, Founder, Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives stressed it was important to go beyond simple corporate sustainability. He highlighted the need to adopt the concept of “blue economy” as compared to the conventional “green economy”. This new model focussed on being innovative, competitive, able to create jobs that are a return on the investment made, are regenerative in nature and encourage entrepreneurs. He also put forth a paradigm that sustainability was about the capacity to respond to changing needs.
Mr. YC Deveshwar, Past President, CII, Chairman, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development Advisory Council stressed that the need to embrace sustainability was no longer a choice, and is an opportunity to make businesses better. Stressing on the need to reduce inequities, he said the top 10% of the population owned 85% of the household assets while the bottom 50% owned only 1%. While the challenge to meet the needs of all sectors of society remained, it was up to businesses to demonstrate leadership in addressing some of these concerns. This Summit sought to find enduring solutions to 2 key inter-twined aspects of sustainable growth and development: re-creation of a green economy, and inclusive innovation.
Mr. Harish Hande, Co-founder and Managing Director, Selco India and Ramon Magasasay awardee 2011 spoke on the need to consider the poor people as partners in development, and not merely as beneficiaries and markets. India could become a leader only if the 600 million plus poor people also are able to grow. Mr. Suresh P Prabhu Chairman, Council for Energy, Environment & Water, identified the root cause for the problems today was because nations lived beyond their means. If the economy fails, countries could borrow, but if the ecology fails, there is no way to reverse it.
Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII wrapped up the inaugural session by saying transformative change was essential and CII was active in preparing for the Rio + 20 Conference in 2012. The two-day Summit and Exhibition on Sustainability Solutions is being attended by 500 participants from industry, government, civil society and media.
Source: http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=30398
