New Delhi, Nov 20 (KNN) In a bid to help facilitate a shift towards a low-carbon, profitable and resilient MSME sector in India, WRI India, in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has conducted a 'MSME capacity building training series'.

These training sessions were a part of the Carbon Market Simulation Project, facilitated by WRI India and supported by MacArthur Foundation.

The aim of this training series is to provide MSMEs with skill sets on a range of topics, such as carbon foot printing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, opportunities from existing policies and build a platform for knowledge sharing between MSMEs and large scale industries.

With the focus on build capacity among MSMEs and to aid in their shift towards a climate resilient, profitable and sustainable MSME sector, the training sessions intend to: build awareness around climate change, it's impact on business, economy and livelihood; build capacity around climate action and the opportunities it offers to different players including MSMEs; help MSMEs make the most of existing regulations; markets and opportunities available globally as well as domestically; prepare MSMEs for a future regulatory landscape where there may be regulations on emissions, renewable energy, etc.; help skill practitioners that champion sustainability and efficient operations within the organisations encourage an uptake of initiatives towards resource efficiency across the economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the highly inequitable nature of economic impacts with MSMEs being the worst hit, despite playing a critical role in the economy. Climate change poses a similar challenge, with disastrous and inequitable impacts across economies, industry and vulnerable communities.

The Indian MSME sector employs ~110 million people and is the backbone of the economy. The sector thus presents a huge opportunity for mitigating climate impacts, building a resilient economy and safeguarding millions of livelihoods.