A two-day global conference on Environment and CSR with the theme “Managing Natural Resources & Wastes for Sustainable Environment” began here at Novotel, Hyderabad Airport Hotel, Shamshabad today. A.K. Hazarika, Director Onshore (Retd.), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. inaugurated the conference and delivered the keynote address.
Speaking on the occasion, Hazarika said, “Today Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goes far beyond the old philanthropy of the past — donating money to good causes at the end of the financial year — and is instead an all year round responsibility that companies accept for the environment around them. I see CSR as the business contribution to sustainable development,” he said adding that CSR would be good for long term business success as well as good for wider society.
Speaking on India’s initiative / policies on CSR and Environment, Hazarika said on the Human Development Index 2011, India ranks at the lower end, at 134th out of 187 countries. More than 30 percent of the Indian population is illiterate and more than 1/3rd of the population lives on less than a dollar and a quarter a day. At the same time, we take pride in the fact that India has made a mark on the scientific world map. India boasts of the world’s third largest educated and technical man power. India is emerging both as an economic powerhouse and a global environmental leader, he said. As India’s economy charges ahead, the country needs to produce more energy to provide a better life for its people, many of whom live in rural areas and are very poor. At the same time, India has recognized that tackling climate change is in its own national interest. The nation is taking concrete measures to contain its own emissions and to protect its people from climatic disruptions. It is a progressive country and inclusive growth is at the centre of India’s national agenda.
At the inauguration, the organizers solicited individual efforts of participants for environment. Participants shared many innovative initiatives; some of them include insulation of rooftops, walls for power conservation and so on. K.C. Das of Tata Steels Ltd. said that he doesn’t use AC in winter at all and his AC does not go below 25 degrees in summer thus saving energy. Utsav, another participant said he installed reflectors to direct the sunlight so that there is zero consumption of electricity. Another participant shared that he uses solar cookers for the past 16 years thereby reducing LPG consumption and added that one cylinder of LPG lasts his family of four for three-and-a-half months! His bi-monthly electricity bill doesn’t go beyond Rs.1200, he informed. Several people shared ideas and efforts that they have taken up in their individual capacity for environment protection.
Kamaleshwar Sharan, President, Greentech Foundation, the organizers of the Conference, in his welcome address said that the conference aims to deliver informational and perspective emphasis on Environment Management and CSR. The combination of Keynotes and Sessions of the conference will provide guidance based on Best Practices and Experiences of developing and implementing best strategies.
Some of the topics of sessions and panel discussions at the global conference include Treatment and Minimization of Waste Water; Managing Natural Resources for Sustainable Environment in Oil Industry; Challenges in Waste Management; Non-Recovery Process of Coke Making – An Environment Friendly Approach; Pollution Prevention & Control in Petroleum Refinery; Recycle & Reuse Technologies of Waste Water; Challenges in CSR Implementation; A Holistic Approach to Self Sustainable CSR in Projects; etc. and others.
Speakers and Panelists such as Dipak Chakravarty, Managing Director, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd.; Anil Johari, Executive Director, ONGC Ltd. – Ahmedabad Asset; Mr. Niranjan Khatri, General Manager, ITC Hotels; Shanti Lata Sahu, Director – Personnel, Northern Coalfields Ltd., M.K. Padia, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. – Mathura Refinery; Shailesh Verma, General Manager, Tata Steel Ltd. – Hooghly Met Coke Division; T.S. Ramachandran, Director – Technical, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd.; Nishith Daya, Managing Director, Bhander Power Ltd.; P.K. Hota, Vice President, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.; R.C. Narayana, Sr. VP & Site Head, Lanco Babandh Power Ltd.; Nishant Kumar Gupta, DGM, Hindalco Industries Ltd.; Alkesh Ramchandra Takpere, Chief Manager, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd.; R.C. Sodani, Director & CEO, JSW Cement Ltd., and others will participate in the two-day conference.
Some 400 delegates from companies and organizations such as ONGC, ITC Hotels, Northern Coal Fields, Mathura Refinery, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Tata Steel ltd, Chennai Petroloeum Coporation Ltd, Nhander Power Ltd, Hindalco participated and Awards for Environment Excellence and CSR will also be presented to companies and organizations with best management practices during the conference.
Greentech Foundation is a New Delhi based not for profit organisation established to promote education, training, research and dissemination of knowledge, advancing the scientific, technical and practical aspects of waste management and climate change to protect environment and safety at workplace. (NSS)