CII – Annual Business Summit 2024

On May 17th, 2024, Ar. Sandeep Shikre, Chairman of the IGBC Net Zero Carbon Rating, delivered a compelling address at the CII Annual Business Summit in Delhi. The event, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), focused on the theme "co-creating the future responsibly." Ar. Shikre participated in a session titled "Net Zero India: Opportunities and Challenges for Indian Industry and Buildings," highlighting the strategic importance of adopting the IGBC Net Zero Carbon Rating in construction projects.

The session featured esteemed panelists, including Mr. Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, India, who chaired the session. Other speakers included Mr. Abhay Bakre, Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, India; Ms. Mansi Tripathy, Country Chair of Shell India; Mr. B C Tripathy, Former Chairman & Managing Director of GAIL and Senior Advisor ZeroC at Greenko, India; Dr. Vera Songwe, Chair and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility; and Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and CEO of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

Ar. Shikre underscored the critical need for the Indian industry to address carbon emissions amid rapid growth and urbanization. He emphasized reimagining building design, energy consumption, and waste management to mitigate climate impacts, aligning with India's goal to become a net-zero carbon nation by 2070. CII's facilitation of 12 billion square feet of green building space and the launch of the "CII Net Zero Programme" were highlighted as significant steps toward this goal.

Ar. Shikre's message was clear: the path to achieving net-zero emissions involves embracing sustainable practices, leveraging technological advancements, and navigating the challenges and opportunities in financing. His call to action inspired industry leaders to adopt a proactive approach in building a sustainable future for India.