The Green Future Summit 2024, a significant event focused on advancing national environmental sustainability, was held on October 4th at Le Méridien, New Delhi. Organised by Net Zero Magazine on the occasion of its first edition launch, the summit brought together a diverse group of policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and climate activists. The event was supported by prominent academic institutions, including IIT-ISM Dhanbad and BITS-Pilani, and received backing from major corporations such as Coal India Limited (CIL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), ONGC, and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
A Vision for Net Zero Emissions by 2030
The summit highlighted India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, a target aligned with international agreements like the COP26 and the Paris Agreement. NetZero Horizon, the newly launched publication, emerged as a vital voice in the global discourse on carbon emissions and sustainability. Through this initiative, the summit examined how technology and innovation are paving the way for green energy solutions.
Discussions at the event covered a range of topics, including artificial intelligence’s role in sustainability, green hydrogen production, the potential of solid-state batteries, and alternative energy solutions. Dr. R.R. Sonde, Professor at IIT Delhi and Abu Dhabi, stressed the importance of educating students on carbon mitigation. “Mass education on the importance of carbon mitigation is only possible through educating students at the graduation level, colleges, and universities, so that this becomes a national movement and not just an initiative by corporate and government bodies,” he remarked.
Uniting Stakeholders for a Greener Future
The event also sought to unite various sectors, from industry leaders to climate activists, to build a holistic approach to addressing climate change. A key theme was aligning India’s growth with the strategic goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. This vision was echoed by the Chief Guest, Dr Dinesh Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He underscored India’s rich cultural heritage of sustainability, noting that these deep-rooted values could help the country lead the world towards a greener future.
“The Green Future Summit is not just an event, but a movement,” said Rahul Deo, Chief Editor of NetZero Horizon. “It’s a community initiative aimed at galvanizing collective efforts towards a sustainable future, with a particular focus on developing the students who will drive this revolution.”
Insights from Industry and Academia
The summit featured valuable insights from prominent figures in the fields of green energy and sustainability. Notable participants included Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary, CMD of NHPC Ltd., Dr Anil Wali, CEO of BITS-BioCyTiH Foundation, and Shri Gopal K. Agarwal, Director at BPCL. These experts discussed the future of green growth in India, exploring policies for green governance, strategies for achieving a carbon-neutral India, and emerging green technologies.
Key panels also featured prominent academicians such as Prof. Dr. Bhim Singh, Chair & Emeritus Professor at IIT Delhi, and Prof. SS Bhattacharya, Consultant Advisor at BITS-BioCyTiH. The discussions delved into topics such as the role of renewable energy and innovations in clean technology to accelerate the shift towards a sustainable future.
Reviving Traditional Indian Practices for Sustainability
Shri Sumit Awasthi, another key speaker, reflected on the relevance of traditional Indian practices in contributing to global sustainability efforts. “The ancient Swadeshi movement and other sustainable practices rooted in Indian culture can help us towards a greener and more sustainable future,” he noted.
A Call for Collective Action
As the summit came to a close, there was a palpable sense of optimism and urgency. The launch of NetZero Horizon: Enabling India’s Path to Net Zero marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to addressing the climate crisis. The magazine aims to act as a platform for educating the public, especially students, about the pressing need for sustainability and climate action.
The Green Future Summit 2024 marked not just an event, but a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward sustainability, as the nation continues to play an active role in the global movement for a net-zero future.
