Press Release
Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility that falls on all of us. Before depending on governments, we must take concrete steps and make efforts at an individual level. Regardless of the cause, environmental issues are affecting everyone equally, which is why it is essential for each one of us to take responsibility in our own way. Adopting green practices as a way of life is the need of the hour to mitigate environmental challenges. In this context, green buildings play a crucial role, as they significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.
These thoughts were expressed by Sharda Pratap Singh, Member Secretary, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, while addressing the 8th edition of the 7R Conclave (Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Refurbish, Recover, Recycle), organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Rajasthan. The conclave was centered around the theme “Future Cities – Sustainable, Resilient and Thriving.”
Mr. Singh further noted that the conclave serves a dual purpose — to recognise those doing commendable work in sustainability, and to inspire others to adopt practices such as energy efficiency, green building design, and environmentally responsible development.
Chairman of CII Rajasthan and Founder MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank, Mr. Sanjay Agarwal, emphasised that every organisation should contribute meaningfully towards sustainability and environmental preservation. He added that even at a personal level, individuals can make a difference by planting more trees around their homes, adopting solar energy, and striving to make their houses net zero in carbon emissions.
CEO of Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, Mr. Arun Misra, observed that the nature of challenges we face today is vastly different from those in the past—sustainability was not a pressing concern earlier, but it has now become a critical imperative. He noted that as our lifestyles have evolved, traditional solutions are no longer sufficient. In today’s context, there is an urgent need to reimagine and build modern, sustainable villages that can serve as models for future development. He further emphasised that regulators must move beyond the role of enforcers and instead become active collaborators with industry. Such partnerships, he said, will enable more effective adoption of sustainable practices across sectors.
Joint President (Strategic Sourcing), Shree Cement Ltd, Mr. Saurabh Palsania highlighted that cities account for 75% of natural resource consumption, 70% of CO₂ emissions, and 50% of total waste generation. Citing global examples like Copenhagen and Singapore, as well as Indian success stories like Indore, he emphasised that the cities of the future must be circular, sustainable, resilient, and thriving to effectively address the growing environmental and urban challenges.
Deputy Executive Director, CII Sohrabji Green Business Centre, Anand M highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by CII to promote sustainability, with a special focus on the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). He shared that IGBC chapters are now active in 30 cities across India. Currently, 13 state governments are offering incentives to support IGBC-certified projects. Notably, IGBC is the only green council in the country offering 32 specialised rating programmes tailored to different building typologies and categories.
Senior Director & Head, CII Rajasthan, Mr. Nitin Gupta said that the conference deliberated on innovative solutions, technologies, and strategies that help reduce the environmental impact of urban development. It is noteworthy that CII has been organising this conclave for several years now, in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) and the state government.
Mr Singh also gave away awards to green rating companies which have been adopting green-friendly processes. (Please see box). It is worth noting that a total of 44 units have been rated between July 2021 and May 2025 under the joint RSPCB-CII Green Rating Initiative for industries in Rajasthan.
In his welcome remarks, Managing Director, Manu Yantralaya Pvt Ltd, Abhinav Banthia emphasized that achieving true sustainability requires more than just policy—it demands a fundamental shift in mindset. He highlighted CII’s continued efforts in this direction, including initiatives like the CII GreenCo Rating Awards and the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, which are playing a vital role in promoting responsible business practices and fostering a culture of sustainability across industries.
The Vote of Thanks on the occasion was proposed by Convenor – CII Panel on Sustainability and Infrastructure & MD, Rajesh Motors Auto Pvt Ltd, Mr. Sharvik Shah. He emphasised the need to embrace circularity to achieve environmental sustainability, along with reducing groundwater usage, extracting greater value from waste, and promoting large-scale tree plantation.
There were also technical sessions on the occasion. The first technical session focussed on achieving the green agenda through water use and waste management, including topics like water management and regulation, solid waste management, CETP and STP systems, plastic waste management, green financing, and best practices/case studies. The second technical session was centered around Circularity in Today’s World covering circular economy, GreenCo/Green Buildings, CBAM and carbon trading (neutrality), ESG, green mobility, and net-zero goals