The Valedictory Ceremony featured two prominent speakers: Mr. Mehul Pandya, Managing Director & Group CEO of CareEdge Group, and Shri Vaibhav M. Gade, General Manager (Institutional Business) at Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) in Gujarat.
Address by Mr. Mehul Pandya
Mr. Pandya emphasized that sustainability involves sustaining any activity for a prolonged period. He outlined how the perception of sustainability has evolved from being a “nice-to-have” feature to becoming an integral part of organizations. He spoke about India’s progress in sustainability, highlighting steps taken by the government, including the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, with 50% of energy requirements met through renewable sources. He underscored the importance of solar energy and India’s role as a leader in sustainable business practices.
Mr. Pandya mentioned key government initiatives like the National Clean Air Program, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Green India Mission. He also discussed the improvements in solar energy across India and SEBI’s introduction of new business reporting standards. These standards have brought discipline to sustainability reporting, providing quantifiable factors that align financial sectors with global sustainability practices and aid in decision-making. He stressed the active role of both financial and private sectors in promoting ESG and shared examples of their contributions to various aspects of sustainability.
Address by Shri Vaibhav M. Gade
Shri Gade spoke about the potential of green hydrogen and the development of cost-effective fuels. He emphasized the importance of green energy and shared IOCL’s vision for improving sustainability in the coming years. Shri Gade also introduced the concept of extra green diesel, highlighting its significance in advancing green initiatives.
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