During the inaugural session welcome address was given by Shri Suketu Shah. He focused on the key issues of population growth, resource degradation and climate change, which need to be addressed effectively to take the country on the path of Sustainable Development.

Shri Pradeep Mallick, Chairman, CII National Environment Committee gave the overview and stressed the need to build synergy between environment, infrastructure development and finance flow so that the growth is sustainable.

Shri Vilas Rao Deshmukh, in his inaugural address stressed the need to explore pragmatic strategies and build on public-private partnership for the benefit of people and environment. He reaffirmed the commitment of the State to improve infrastructure all over the State, especially in Mumbai City. He spoke of State’s proactive initiatives by encouraging self governing Local Bodies, Industrial Townships and setting up of Biotech Parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and fast track reforms in labour sector.

Shri Swarup Singh Naik, spoke of prevention of pollution at source and bringing awareness at grass root level which will give impetus to long term environmentally sound development.

During the inaugural session, Vote of Thanks was given by Shri Sushanto Roy, who read out the message of Hon’ble Shri Subrata Roy Sahara, Chairman, Sahara India Pariwar, reaffirming the commitment of the group to promote, nurture and protect the environment in all its activities. He talked of Amby Valley, Sahara Lake City as one of such endeavors with  91% open space, lush green surroundings, world record plantation, sound infrastructure and other amenities which have resulted in "Offering World’s Best Living" in Maharashtra, India.

The whole program was divided into five plenaries.

Plenary I was on Green and Sound Enabling Policy Framework: It was chaired by Shri V. Ranganathan, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, with Keynote Speaker Shri P.K. Basu, Director, Credit Suisse First Boston, Singapore. On the panel for discussion were Shri V.S. Dhumal, Secretary-Industry, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Kailash Vijay Vergi, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Indore and Shri Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, Senior Consultant, CII.

Shri V. Ranganathan, focused on how proactive policy and regulatory framework can enhance environmental performance. He said we need to cut subsidies on activities which promote wasteful consumption of water and Energy. We need to initiate incentive structure that encourages investment in better waste management techniques (Waste to Wealth). Shri Kailash Vijay Vergi shared how peoples involvement at local level has produced effective results in the city of Indore.

The day concluded with the panel discussion chaired by Shri K.S. Ramasubban, Principal Secretary, Minorities Development and Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. The key points that emerged indicated that the trend of pushing environmentally unsound technologies to the developing countries needs to be looked at with caution. In fact globalization can create difficult situation on environment.

Day two started with Plenary III on Green and Sound Financial Markets chaired by Shri Mahesh Prasad, Former Secretary MoEF with keynote speakers Shri Munshilal Gautam, Member Secretary, MPCB and Shri Girish Mahajan, Chief Manager, ICICI. A video presentation of Shri Alexander Barkawi, Managing Director,  SAM-Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes was also presented. The session stressed the need to reduce energy consumption as this would reduce load on environment. Recycle and reuse could be a good strategy for resource conservation. The speakers focused on pollution control issues, monitoring mechanisms available, energy conservation issues on recycle and reuse of material etc. A video presentation was made with elaboration on financing sustainable assets to add value on moral, social and environmental account. Development of sustainability index for companies in capital market is being encouraged to keep shareholders and investors informed on company performance on environmental, ethical and economical performance (the triple bottom line). Sustainable performance of companies does add shareholder value. Banks today are also providing finance to projects that are environmentally responsible and are focused on sustainability issues. Interest benefits are provided for environmental management and energy conservation projects. Low interest rates are provided for research activities while projects adopting ‘clean technology’ initiatives are encouraged.

Plenary IV on Green and Sound Institutional Support Systems chaired by Shri N.R. Krishnan, Former Secretary, MoEF, deliberated on institutional support systems like markets, law, equipment education, public awareness and participation etc. The role of education in Sustainable Development was discussed with prime importance so as to promote capabilities and skills in all areas of industry that remain focused on Sustainable Development. Human capital needs to serve sustainability by integrating technology with understanding and application at educational institution levels through a dynamic curriculum. Institutional support systems for Sustainable Development need to address the stakeholders interests in capital, work in progress and its impact on environment, society and economic value. Such systems should add value to quality of life. Market mechanisms can provide incentives for improved environmental performance like carbon trading, sustainability indices, etc. Such markets are being established today for emission trading, promoting clean development mechanisms and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Plenary V on Green and Sound Responsible Governance chaired by Shri K.P. Nyati, Head, Environment Management Division of CII, deliberated on issues related to corporate governance for Sustainable Development which needs to go hand in hand with the perspective of India, a developing country. It is therefore more important for all of us to focus our energies to meet societal expectations of being clean, green and responsible ethically.

Sustainable Development extends beyond one sphere – it encompasses economic development, social justice, markets and political will. Policy making at governance stage must marry the concept of green objectives with growth and development. They must co-exist. Approach of command and control and incentive based growth should be focused on Sustainable Development. Balance needs to be built between economic goals and social obligations. Governance should focus on lowering the cost of environmental and social performance.

Role of citizens for good governance is equally important. Consumer awareness, eco-efficiency could help to promote Sustainable Development but have limitations to product usage. Citizens could promote movements that reduce consumption and wasteful use, thereby reducing resource wastage. Citizens should choose to boycott products that do not support Sustainable Development.

Corporate Case Study of Green and Sound Investments was presented by Shri Ramesh Thakur, Advisor, Amby Valley, Sahara Lake City.