FICCI Organises 15th India Climate Policy and Business Conclave to Strengthen Collaboration on Climate Goals
Hyderabad: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), under the aegis of its Centre for Sustainability Leadership, successfully organized the 15th India Climate Policy and Business Conclave focused on climate policy and carbon market space. The conclave was organized in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India and Ministry of Environment, Japan.
The conclave brought together policymakers, business leaders, experts, and international stakeholders to deliberate on aligning climate policy with India’s net zero and growth priorities.
The Conclave provided a high-level platform to discuss pressing issues such as carbon markets, climate finance, clean energy transition, climate technology, and pathways for low-carbon industrial growth. It featured keynote addresses by senior government leaders, panel discussions with global climate experts, and insights from industry captains committed to advancing India’s climate ambitions.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr Rambabu Paravastu, Co-Chair of the FICCI Environment & Climate Change Committee, providing a comprehensive context for the conclave. He began by acknowledging India’s historical leadership in climate action, specifically highlighting the country’s role in the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), where it was a leader in project activation. Dr. Paravastu commended Japan’s leadership in the intervening years between the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement by pioneering the JCM, a mechanism that foresaw and was designed for Article 6. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s persistence, which has now paved the way for India to sign similar bilateral agreements with other countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Sweden.
He stressed that while India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are ambitious and must be met independently, mechanisms like Article 6 are crucial for bridging the viability gap for high-cost projects, attracting foreign investment and technology.
Mr. Kohei Kiname, Principal Manager for JCM projects and International Market Mechanism, Global Environmental Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan delivered a theme address and presentation on the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM). He began by highlighting a key question: whether economic growth and climate action can be pursued simultaneously. He emphasized that climate change presents a significant opportunity for new business and investment and acknowledged JCM is a carbon market tool under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, where Japan collaborates with partner countries on decarbonization projects. These projects involve investment, technology transfer, and capacity building, and generate credits that can be used to achieve each country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Mr. Meela Jayadev, Co-Chairman of FICCI’s Telangana State Council, praised the state’s leadership in environmental action through pioneering programs in afforestation, renewable energy, and sustainable water management. Mr. Jayadev emphasized on the conclave’s critical role in aligning business innovation with policy frameworks to drive sustainable growth and position India as a climate leader. He concluded by urging participants to engage with open minds and bold ideas to collectively build a resilient and sustainable future for India.
Eminent voices at the Conclave include Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Former Secretary, MoEFCC, delivering the Keynote Address and Shri Navin Mittal, IAS, Principal Secretary – Energy Department, Government of Telangana, presenting the Valedictory Address. The event will feature an impressive roster of industry leaders and experts, including Mr Kazuhisa Koakutsu, the Director of the Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation Partnership Centre; Mr Umamaheswaran Krishnan, Article 6 & Carbon Pricing Specialist, RCC Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, UNFCCC; and representatives from Mahindra Group, Aditya Birla Group, Deloitte, Nature Conservancy India, Hindalco, and the International Finance Corporation, among others.
