Policymakers, Industry, and Global Leaders Converge at GSA 2025 to Strengthen Sustainability Partnerships

New Delhi, September 27: The INOXGFL Group presents ET Edge Global Sustainability Alliance 7th Annual Meeting, co-presented by Yes Bank and co-powered by Yara Fertilizers and Bennett University, successfully concluded today in New Delhi, convening India’s leading policymakers, corporate leaders, innovators, civil society representatives and esteemed industry partners like Sunsure and Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport | GMR. The platform brought together senior policymakers, global dignitaries, corporate leaders, and innovators to deliberate on India’s roadmap for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting featured distinguished leaders including Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, Niti Aayog; Minister for Industries, Food & Supplies, Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi; Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation; Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Devansh Jain, Executive Director, INOXGFL Group; and Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India. Their participation emphasised the growing alignment of policy, governance, industry, and international cooperation in advancing India’s sustainability agenda. Discussions highlighted the importance of collective action and data-driven strategies to scale impact and drive meaningful change.

The event also saw participation from prominent global and industry voices, including Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India; Cristiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative in India; Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta Group; Promeet Ghosh, MD & CEO, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals; Vishal Sharma, CEO – Chemicals, Godrej Industries; and Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Car India. Their interventions emphasized the role of innovation, responsible business practices, and international collaboration in driving the sustainability agenda forward.

Setting the economic context, Manish Jain, Executive Director, YES BANK, noted: “India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. India is expected to achieve an annual growth rate of about 6.7 percent and reach that status by fiscal year 2030-31. India’s GDP is projected to grow to US$5.7 trillion by 2028. Climate change is affecting every region and sector of our country. The imperative now is to strike a balance between growth, resilience, and sustainability. The Government of India has adopted a mission to build an inclusive and climate-resilient economy. Experts estimate that the country will require trillions of dollars in investment over the coming decades to decarbonize, upgrade infrastructure, and meet climate targets.” Highlighting the evolving role of finance leaders, Kaushik Mitra, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, PepsiCo India, remarked: “The CFO role today is not just about financial management but also about driving performance and transformation across the company. In my view, environmental discussions are no longer a ‘nice-to-do’ but a ‘must-do’ element of boardroom strategy. We are engaging with hundreds of SMEs, farmers, service providers, and local communities. For us, the larger purpose is to leverage all stakeholders, build awareness, and enhance capabilities. This is where I believe the real momentum for the sustainability agenda will come from.” Bringing the conservation lens, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Director, Climate Change Hub, WWF-India, stressed, “The conversation around sustainability must shift from CSR to a core business mandate, as climate and nature are no longer peripheral concerns. With 44% of global GDP dependent on nature, there is substantial value, opportunity, and risk tied to biodiversity and climate change.” Underlining bilateral momentum, Mathias Emil Bengtsson, First Secretary, Trade Policy and Economic Affairs, Royal Danish Embassy, said, “Sustainability and climate action are central to the Indo-Denmark partnership, making it one of the most defining aspects of bilateral cooperation. In 2020, India and Denmark launched the Green Strategic Partnership, a first-of-its-kind agreement for India focused on advancing green growth, renewable energy, water management, and sustainable urban development. Both nations are collaborating on offshore wind, energy efficiency, and smart cities, combining Denmark’s expertise in green technologies with India’s scale and innovation capacity.” Reinforcing the strength of UK-India ties, Anna Shotbolt, Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia, British High Commission, observed: “India and the United Kingdom share a strong commitment to tackling climate change, and their partnership has deepened through joint initiatives and policies aimed at accelerating sustainable development. The India-UK Roadmap 2030 and the India-UK Climate Partnership, launched at COP26, underline collaboration in areas like clean energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility, sustainable finance, and climate resilience.” Bringing in Norway’s perspective, Bjørn Iversen, Director- Innovation Norway India and Commercial Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, emphasized, “The India–Norway climate partnership is founded on shared goals of sustainability, clean energy, and global climate action. A central pillar is the Blue Economy for Sustainable Development, focusing on oceans, fisheries, and marine biodiversity. India’s target of 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 and net-zero by 2070 aligns with Norway’s net-zero goal by 2050.” Highlighting the urgency of renewable energy, H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, added, “India has made significant strides in demonstrating how large-scale renewable energy and sustainable solutions can be implemented effectively. With an ambitious goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, India is rapidly expanding solar, wind, and hydro power, showcasing its ability to combine scale with innovation.” In addition to the main plenary sessions, the event hosted a parallel track featuring industry-focused sessions that delved into sector-specific sustainability challenges and opportunities. These sessions brought together corporate leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss actionable strategies across key sectors such as energy, chemicals, manufacturing, mobility, and consumer goods. Participants explored topics ranging from renewable energy adoption and energy-efficient technologies to circular economy practices and food and agriculture, fostering targeted dialogue and knowledge exchange that complemented the broader discussions on national and global sustainability priorities.

Adding further depth to the deliberations, two special segments were hosted alongside the plenary sessions. The RT Masterclass offered executives sector-specific insights into sustainable business strategies, while the Startup Forum spotlighted emerging entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for pressing environmental challenges.

As part of the Planet Buddy campaign, a sustainable artwork installation was unveiled, crafted from recycled plastic in the form of turtles. This creative effort highlighted the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution and protect marine life. By transforming recycled waste into meaningful art, the campaign underscored the role of sustainability in everyday action and inspired collective responsibility toward preserving oceans and biodiversity.

Themed “Bridging Partnerships for a Greener Tomorrow,” the 2025 edition underscored India’s pivotal role as a global sustainability leader. With less than five years to go before the 2030 SDG deadline, speakers reiterated the urgency of collaborative action, calling for governments, businesses, and civil society to come together and ensure measurable, inclusive progress.

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