Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, delivered the Special Plenary Address on ‘Green Growth: Aligning Sustainability with Competitiveness’, at the CII IndiaEdge 2025 event, in New Delhi today. He emphasized India’s strategic shift toward sustainable, competitive, and resilient economic growth and appreciated the role of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in shaping progressive policy frameworks and strengthening government–industry collaboration.

Highlighting India’s developmental trajectory under Viksit Bharat@2047, the Minister underscored the country’s strong economic fundamentals and rapid progress in sustainable development. He noted, “Clean industrialisation is not a constraint; it is a catalyst for economic expansion, innovation, resilience, and future prosperity.” Decarbonising our manufacturing sector is a strategic imperative to enhance India’s export competitiveness and avoid future carbon-related trade concerns, he noted.

Shri Yadav reaffirmed India’s global environmental leadership amid anthropogenic and geopolitical turbulence, and stated, “India has emerged as a trusted global partner redefining development to correct imbalances, prioritising green technologies, embedding circularity, promoting sustainable manufacturing, and integrating nature-based solutions.” The Minister detailed recent reforms and initiatives driving India’s green industrial transformation. Referring to the GST 2.0 reforms, he stated, “GST 2.0 reforms reaffirm green growth by reducing tax rates from 12% to 5% on renewable energy equipment, biodegradable plastics, effluent treatment plants, and electric vehicles. Industry must seize this opportunity to invest in green manufacturing, integrate eco-friendly practices across supply chains, and collaborate to scale technologies for global competitiveness.”

The Minister highlighted various initiatives and reform measures taken by the Government of India to boost sustainability and competitiveness of Indian Industry. These included the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM), and other key initiatives such as the National Critical Mineral Mission 2025, revised Green Credit Programme, and Environment Audit Rules 2025. He urged industry to “actively partner in these efforts to propel India’s sustainable ambitions, while carving a global competitive edge.”

Returning from CoP30, the Minister shared that the conference met India’s expectations. He stated, “The 29 decisions adopted by consensus clearly reflect India’s priorities across critical areas such as climate finance, unilateral trade measures, technology, and just transition”. He noted the establishment of the Technology Implementation Programme and an institutional arrangement for just transition.

The Minister underscored the transformative role of Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Industry’s Transition. He stated, “EPR builds sustainable waste ecosystems, boosts recycling revenues, formalizes informal workers,  and can unlock 33 lakh new jobs, creating a green-skilled workforce”. Encouraging industry leadership, he urged the corporates to step forward with voluntary commitments that strengthen India’s policy push toward a self-reliant circular economy. He also commended CII’s contributions, noting, “Initiatives like an output-based Circular Economy PLI, coupled with robust EPR systems and Green Public Procurement, can accelerate recycling and strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

Shri Yadav urged industries to integrate sustainability with competitiveness through investments in R&D, green manufacturing, and MSME collaboration. He stated, “India’s transition to a green economy presents unprecedented opportunities to integrate sustainability with competitiveness. The industry can drive India’s vision of a self-reliant, globally competitive, and sustainable industrial base.”

The Minister concluded with a message of collective responsibility, and stated, “India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat@2047 is not just about growth; it is about inclusive, resilient, and sustainable prosperity. Together, we will define a path for economic progress that uses sustainability as an opportunity, not a constraint”. Dignitaries on the dais included Shri Chandrajit Banerjee, DG (CII), Shri Shiv Siddhant Narayan Kaul, Chairman, CII National Committee on Environment and Shri Masood Alam Mallick, Chairman, CII National Committee on Waste-to-Worth.

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VM

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