Ideas for Consideration – Summary of Discussions

Climate Policy Initiative co-hosted a webinar titled, “Building Back Better: Green Recovery of the Indian Economy” with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE – a 5 UN Agencies’ collaboration of UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UNITAR, and ILO), and Development Alternatives Group. The webinar deliberated on directing economic stimulus packages towards greening India’s economy. With a particular focus on these key questions: Although the economic stimulus in India has economic revival as the main goal, could it facilitate a shift towards a greener pathway of growth? Or are the measures so specific that such an ambition would not be possible? Are there elements that can be picked up and redirected towards greener, cleaner activities For example, can the Government make affordable housing projects align with green building standards to reduce future energy needs? Can some of the infrastructure projects in the economic packages be developed in a climate-resilient way? Can the ‘green’ sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green transport, or green construction become the drivers for employment opportunities? What, if any, are the possibilities?

CPI’s Asia Director Mahua Acharya moderated the panel discussion for this webinar on Monday, July 6th from 16.00 hours to 18.00 hours, IST.

The webinar was addressed by Dr. Ashok Khosla, the eminent environmentalist and founder of Development Alternatives; Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI and Mr. C.K. Mishra, Secretary (Retd.), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The UN agencies set the context, which was followed by a panel discussion. Panelists included: Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, one of India’s most respected bankers and an authority on finance and sustainability; Dr. Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Govt of India; Mr. Manish Chourasia, Managing Director, TATA Cleantech Capital, a non-banking finance company pioneering in sustainable finance; Mr. G. Suri Babu, General Manager, Farm Sector Policy Department in the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development; Dr. Rita Pandey, Senior Fellow, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy; Ms. Sunita Sanghi, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ms. Malini Chakravarty, Additional Coordinator (Research), Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability.