World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai and All Association of Industries (AIAI) participated in the WTO Public Forum 2017 and conducted a session on the theme ‘Mitigating the Challenges of Sustainable Development through the Adaptation of Clean Technologies’. The session was addressed by eminent experts drawn from prestigious organizations of international repute. WTC Mumbai and AIAI delegation comprised Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai, Ms. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai Ms. Debjani Chowdhury, Advisor, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai and Mr. Navneet Agarwal, Assistant Director – Trade Promotion, World Trade Centre Jaipur.

Mr. John Danilovich, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), stressed that it is time to combine the twin goals of growth and sustainability and it is only through placing sustainability at the heart of business that companies will find success in the 21st century.

Mr. Danilovich further informed that many companies were already recognizing the big efficiency gains, innovation and reputation enhancement that come from engaging in socially and environmentally responsible behaviour. However, for business to play its full role in meeting the climate challenge, governments must establish the right policy environment with clear rules and mechanisms under the Paris Agreement to provide business with the certainty it needs to make crucial investments in clean technologies.

Mr. Frank Van Rompaey, Representative to the UN and other International Organizations in Gevena , UNIDO Geneva Office said the 2030 Agenda contains Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization as a goal – goal 9. The expectation is that global industrial production will increase by factor of 4 by 2050. It is important that this expansion happens in an environmentally sustainable way.

Mr. Alexander Kasterine, Senior Advisor, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Trade for Sustainable Development Programme, International Trade Centre (ITC) explained why SMEs were important part of the process of the Paris Agreement in terms of mitigation and adaptation to climate change and that SMES were particularly vulnerable to climate change. Impact of climate change needs to be addressed with a two- pronged approach—public policy and business opportunities. In terms of public policy there is need to design policies which incentivize SMEs to strategize their business in the right direction. In terms of business opportunities, it is important to find solutions to climate change through innovation in industrial operations.

According to Mr. Kasterine, SMEs face many barriers in adaptation.

Dr. Viviana Munoz Tellez, Coordinator, Development, Innovation and Intellectual Property Programme, South Centre stated that in the context of the 2030 Agenda, there are global challenges and the global community must come together to find new solutions. Dr. Munoz held out that there is a clear leadership responsibility by that part of the world that has historically contributed more to the carbon emission. Mitigation efforts must be linked to adaptation efforts and all governments must take action towards this end. Developing and least developed countries which are severely impacted due to the adverse effects of climate change and lack resources to build systems need to be supported and assisted with capacity building, technology transfer and financial support based on national needs and priorities.

Financial and technological support needs to be coupled with knowledge and skill transfer and there have been many trade agreements, as well as obligations and commitments by the developed countries to assist developing and least developed countries with technology transfer on concessional terms instead of on commercial terms. On the financial side, there is a global fund to assist weak countries to access technology, Dr. Munoz expressed. Further, according to Dr. Munoz, countries need not necessarily focus on high technologies and instead many of the home – grown, grass-root technologies can be readily used and adapted. And, this can be very successful with greater exchanges among SME enterprises in countries such as India, Dr. Munoz said.

Dr. Paul Kloppenborg, Partner and CEO, Global Cleantech Capital, deliberating on the current trends in investments in clean technologies, revealed that in the coming months, 392 GW of solar capacity will be installed in the world, which will surpass the amount of 392 GW of nuclear power that is operating in the world at present. According to Dr. Kloppenborg, in the last 15 years the world has witnessed a constant growth in the solar market, up approximately 28- 30 % and solar installed capacity is expected to rise to 82-90 GW in the world in a year. India and China have emerged as big markets, with India likely to soon overtake China. The other big markets are the USA and Latin America with smaller markets in Europe and with Africa opening up as a new market.

With regard to investments, microfinance seems to be the preferred option for solar and yet it means blocking of capital for at least 6-7 years. Solar modules involve high capital and the real jobs are in installing solar panels. Therefore, the success of solar business will depend on viable microfinance policies and solutions, Dr. Kloppenborg opined.

Moderator Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai observed that global policies in economic, social and environmental spheres have greatly influenced and prompted national action. The scheme on “Development and Promotion of Clean Technology and Waste Minimization Strategies” adopted and implemented by India aims at a holistic action plan to create an ecosystem nurtured by clean technologies. In the renewable energy sector, India’s National Solar Mission has set the target of solar power capacity of 1000,000 mw by 2022. With this ambitious target, India will become one of the world’s largest green energy producers, surpassing several developed countries. Globally, the International Energy Agency identified phasing out inefficient coal power stations as a key plank to promote universal consensus and action on climate change.

Mr. Kalantri called for a coordinated approach by governments, businesses and public to adopt technological solutions that intricately balances the ecosystem with human livelihood.

In Photo: Mr. John Danilovich, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC during the working session at the WTO Public Forum 2017.