- Gujarat must take a leading role in driving sustainable industrial growth: Jaxay Shah
- The journey toward a sustainable future requires the active participation of all stakeholders: Sameer Sinha, Chairman, ESG Taskforce
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 2
Stating that ESG is no longer a buzzword but a global imperative, the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) President Sandeep Engineer highlighted that with regulators and customers increasingly prioritizing sustainability, Indian companies must align with evolving global standards, such as those set by the European Union, to remain competitive in international supply chains. He also elaborated on the reasons on formation of a dedicated ESG task force aimed at simplifying ESG compliance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He reiterated the urgency of proactive ESG adoption, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi, as reflected in initiatives like Panchamrit. He emphasized the summit’s significance as a milestone in building a sustainable future for Gujarat, India and the world. He underscored the growing importance of ESG adoption,
The GCCI successfully organized the GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit 2025, marking a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable business practices across the region. As the first industry-led summit of its kind in Gujarat, the event convened over 30 distinguished speakers and knowledge partners from diverse sectors, alongside international experts, to foster meaningful dialogue on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
The summit served as a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to collaborate and share insights on global best practices. Participants from the manufacturing, technology, energy and finance sectors, as well as international delegates from the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands, contributed to the discussions, underscoring the global relevance of sustainability.
Gujarat must take a leading role in driving sustainable industrial growth: Jaxay Shah
The keynote address was delivered by Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, Quality Council of India (QCI), who described the summit as a testament to Gujarat’s industrial leadership. He emphasized that as India progresses towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Gujarat must take a leading role in driving sustainable industrial growth. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing and digital transformation. He introduced the PRIDE framework, Preserve & Protect, Reduce Carbon, Impact & Innovate, Dominate through Diligence and Evolved Ecosystem, as a strategic roadmap for India’s sustainable industrial future. He further emphasized that Gujarat’s development is critical to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The summit featured in-depth sessions on critical topics, including:
- Vision for a Sustainable Gujarat and achieving the 2070 net-zero target
- Global Sustainability Scenario
- The Reality of Profitable Sustainability and the economics of low-carbon transition
- Future-Ready MSMEs and need for collective industry action
- Green Policy and Finance in India
The valedictory session of the GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit 2025 brought the event to a close on a forward-looking and collaborative note.
The journey toward a sustainable future requires the active participation of all stakeholders: Sameer Sinha, Chairman, ESG Taskforce
Sameer Sinha, Chairman, ESG Taskforce reflected on the key takeaways from the summit, reiterating the importance of collective action to achieve sustainability goals. He emphasized that the journey toward a sustainable future requires the active participation of all stakeholders, businesses, policymakers, academia and civil society. He highlighted the summit’s role as a catalyst for driving meaningful change and urged participants to translate discussions and strategies into actionable initiatives aligned with global sustainability standards.
Over 20 esteemed institutions, including IIT-Gandhinagar, Centre for Sustainability and Corporate Governance Research, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and Adani University, participated in the event, offering diverse perspectives and expertise. Sustainability heads from leading corporations also shared insights on their initiatives and experiences, highlighting the importance of integrating sustainable practices into business operations.
The summit underscored the GCCI’s commitment to sustainability, reflecting a collective recognition of the need to align with national and global sustainability goals. In line with this commitment, the event achieved carbon neutrality by offsetting an estimated 16 tonnes of CO2 emissions through a Miyawaki Tree Plantation initiative, with over 650 trees to be planted.
The GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit 2025 concluded with a resounding call to action, urging businesses, policymakers and industry leaders to make sustainability a cornerstone of Gujarat’s and India’s economic future. The event set a precedent for future collaborations, reinforcing the imperative of collective efforts to achieve a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.
Apurva Shah, Vice President, GCCI; Gaurang Bhagat, Hon. Secretary, GCCI were also present at the event.
