Global Summit Showcases MSMEs Driving Green Growth and Climate Solutions

New Delhi, Sep 18 (KNN) The "Global Summit on Sustainability MSMEs – Small Businesses, Big Impact," held in the national capital, brought together key industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the vital role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in addressing climate change and fostering sustainable growth.

Organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the summit featured an array of stalls showcasing sustainable solutions developed by MSMEs, underlining their crucial role in driving green growth.

A major theme of the summit was the need for MSMEs to be at the forefront of the global transition to sustainable practices. Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, emphasised the significance of MSMEs in the Indian economy, noting their contribution to nearly 50 per cent of the country’s exports and the provision of employment for 11–12 crore people.

He also sounded a grave warning about the environmental crisis, stating that six of nine planetary boundaries have been breached, which heightens the urgency for immediate, collective action from all sectors.

The summit further focused on innovation, with Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of PHDCCI, elaborating on the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian startups.

He proposed the creation of sustainability parks modeled on Taiwan’s plastic eco-parks. These parks could serve as green hubs for MSMEs, enabling them to implement and scale eco-friendly innovations.

Mehta also highlighted PHDCCI's role in leading the charge for such initiatives to ensure that small businesses are adequately supported in their journey toward sustainability.

Saurabh Diddi, Director at the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, connected recent climate disasters to the larger global climate crisis and discussed India’s emerging carbon market.

He underscored the importance of Compliance and Offset Mechanisms in reducing carbon footprints, positioning MSMEs as pivotal players in this evolving landscape.

The summit reinforced the growing consensus that MSMEs, despite their size, hold immense potential to make a significant impact on climate action, while simultaneously contributing to sustainable economic growth.

(KNN Bureau)