February 1, 2012 : The 9th World CEO Sustainability Summit was organized in New Delhi on February 1, 2012. Over 350 delegates, including CEOs, heads of multi / bi-lateral organisations and senior government representatives from across the globe took part in this Summit. Under the overarching theme 'Doing Business: While Protecting the Global Commons,' top CEOs and business leaders discussed business and sustainability issues during the World CEO Sustainability Summit.
The 2012 edition of the Summit started with a high profile inaugural session along with two focused CEO-led panel discussions.
Ajit Gulabchand, CMD - HCC and an Executive Committee member of TERI - BCSD was a panelist on the first panel discussion that largely focused on 'Case Studies and Lessons Learnt since Rio 1992.'
This interaction was structured around sectors and issues that relate to 'global commons' including energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction; sustainable management of forests and natural resources and water. Mr. Gulabchand - who is a signatory to the United Nations CEO Water Mandate (which mobilizes businesses globally towards water sustainability) - drew upon his vast experience in the areas of sustainable development and water management to describe how water resource management is an essential part of the movement towards sustainability. Mr. Gulabchand also spoke about ensuring the reusability and recyclability of water resources. "Water is considered to be not just a social good, but also an environmental and commercial good," observed Mr. Gulabchand. The second panel discussion dealt with 'Business Challenges and Opportunities in transition towards a Green and Inclusive Economy: Helping Change Happen.'
The panel discussed technological aspects and the role of ICT, capacity-building and education and financing and capital markets.
The World CEO Sustainability Summit was organized by the Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), Geneva. This Summit served as a curtain-raiser to the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2012 which was held subsequently between February 2-4, 2012.
Image caption :
Image 1 : Ajit Gulabchand interacts with Dr R K Pachauri (right), Director-General, TERI and President, TERI-BCSD and Annapurna Vancheswaran (left), Director - Sustainable Development Outreach, TERI during the
9th World CEO Sustainability Summit in Delhi on February 1, 2012.
Image 2 :Mr. Gulabchand engages in a discussion with Dr Farooq Abdullah - Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy (left), Philippe Joubert - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Alstom (right) and Arun Seth - Chairman, BT (India) Pvt. Ltd (far right) during the World CEO Sustainability Summit 2012 on February 1, 2012.
Image 3 :Mr. Gulabchand, together with other delegates, participate in a luncheon meeting on the theme 'Business Leadership for Sustainability' during the 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit on February 2,2012.
