The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), a trade and industry body in India, held the Global Summit on “Sustainability MSMEs – Small Businesses, Big Impact” on September 14, emphasising the crucial role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing sustainable growth and addressing global climate challenges.
Dr Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, emphasized MSMEs' significant impact, noting they contribute to 50% of India’s exports and provide employment to 11-12 crore people. Dr Kumar highlighted that six out of nine climate boundaries have been breached, calling for immediate and robust action to mitigate these environmental threats.
RR Rashmi, Former Special Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, pointed out the lack of SEBI and CSR mandates for MSMEs. She advocated for the introduction of green ratings and procurement policies to bolster green growth within the sector.
Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General of PHDCCI, proposed creating sustainability parks similar to Taiwan’s plastic ecoparks. He highlighted PHDCCI's role in spearheading green initiatives for MSMEs.
Dr RK Singh, CGM of the Green Climate Finance Vertical at SIDBI, discussed the Green Vertical launched in 2022, aimed at supporting MSMEs’ adoption of sustainable practices. He outlined SIDBI’s 4E and Green Financing schemes designed to facilitate green measures in the MSME sector.
Dr Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former DG of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and Senior Adviser at Deloitte India and Dua Associates, moderated a session on integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into core business strategies. He underscored MSMEs' growing role in sustainability, supported by a conducive environment.
Jeevaraj Pillai, Director of Sustainability at UFlex Limited, emphasized the need for integrating CSR into business strategies, showcasing UFlex’s commitment to supporting MSMEs.
Rajesh Ayapilla, Senior Director at PACS - Sustainability & CSR, Coca Cola India, discussed the company’s focus on water conservation, sustainable packaging, and agriculture, extending beyond traditional CSR mandates.
Saurabh Diddi, Director at the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, connected climate change to recent environmental crises and discussed India’s evolving carbon market, including compliance and offset mechanisms.
Actor and UN Environment Program Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, emphasized the importance of aligning MSMEs with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance global competitiveness and drive sustainability. She praised PHDCCI for its efforts in empowering MSMEs towards a greener future.
Dr Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General of PHDCCI, highlighted that every individual has a role in sustainability efforts.
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