The School of Livelihood and Rural Development – YesEarth, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Board, Assam, is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the North East Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship Conclave held on June 2, 2024. The event, part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Pollution Control Board, Assam marked a significant milestone in fostering sustainable business practices and addressing environmental challenges.
Event Highlights:
The conclave, held at Taj Vivanta, Guwahati, brought together over 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and sustainability advocates. The one-day event featured keynote addresses, expert panels and discussions focused on sustainable business practices, climate change mitigation, and environmental stewardship.
Key Sessions Included:
Keynote Address by:
Shri Arup Kumar Misra, Chairman, Pollution Control Board
Shri Abhijit Sharma, Mission Director, School of Livelihood and Rural Development – YesEarth
Shri Utpal Barua, Chief Administrative Officer, Adani Airports, Guwahati
Shri Abhijit Barooah, MD, Assam Air Products
Shri Dilip Goenka, MD, KD Iron and Steel
Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR ATARI
Expert Panels and Discussions
Industry experts, policymakers, and sustainability advocates discussed critical topics related to sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Shantanu Dutta, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, Assam, and anchored by Shri Abhijit Sharma, Mission Director, SLRD-YesEarth.
Panellists Included:
Dr. Rizwan Ul Zaman, Climate Change Society
Dr. Rahul Mahanta, Professor, Cotton University
Shri Pradeep Kumar Nath, CGM, SIDBI
Shri Pranab Kumar Sarma, President, AREIDA
Shri Gokul Bhuyan, Additional Chief Engineer, Pollution Control Board, Assam
Dr. Neel Konwar, Professor of Practice
Outcomes:
The event successfully convened over 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, creating a crucial assembly for progressive policymakers, PSU leaders, and sustainability advocates. A vibrant community committed to integrating sustainability into business fundamentals was cultivated. Insights and recommendations from the discussions will be compiled and submitted to state and central authorities to shape future policies and promote sustainable practices effectively.
Recommendations of speakers and panellists:
Advocate for the creation and implementation of policies that incentivize sustainable business practices. Encourage businesses to embed sustainability into their core strategies and daily operations. Develop and implement regional climate action plans tailored to the specific needs of Northeast India, through support to region specific research and development. Invest in educational and training programs to enhance the capacity of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers in sustainable practices. Create information systems to provide details of waste of one industry to be utilised as raw material for other industry. Strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors to drive sustainable initiatives and projects. Provide financial incentives, such as subsidies and tax breaks, to businesses adopting sustainable practices. Promote efficient waste management practices, including recycling and circular economy models. Advocate for the increased use of renewable energy sources in business operations. Request support and subsidies for renewable energy systems for startups.
“We are transforming the Pollution Control Board, Assam, from merely a compliance monitoring and enforcement agency into a facilitator for sustainable business practices,” stated Shri Arup Kumar Misra, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, Assam. “We are incredibly excited to host the NE Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship Conclave as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the State Pollution Control Board, Assam. This event represents a significant step towards fostering sustainable business practices and addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face today. We believe that by bringing together diverse stakeholders, we can drive meaningful change and build a sustainable future for all.” said Abhijit Sharma, Mission Director, School of Livelihood and Rural Development – YesEarth.
