- The event will emphasize grassroots-level mobilization, with a particular focus on empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070
- The summit will feature over 30 distinguished speakers and panellists, including sustainability heads from leading conglomerates such as the Adani Group and Arvind Group
- Over 20 esteemed institutions, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar, the Quality Council of India, Gujarat Technological University (GTU) and Ahmedabad University, will contribute their expertise to the summit
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 27
The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) on Thursday announced that the inaugural GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit 2025 will be held here on Saturday. Organized by the GCCI’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Task Force, this landmark event represents the first-of-its-kind platform in the state, designed to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration on sustainability within the industry.
The summit will convene prominent industry leaders, sustainability experts, policymakers and global thought leaders to drive actionable strategies and advance the adoption of sustainable practices across sectors. By facilitating critical discussions, the event underscores the growing recognition of the need for businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations and align with national and global sustainability objectives.
Aligning with PM Modi’s national and global goals
The GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit 2025 is a strategic initiative aimed at supporting India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi. The event will emphasize grassroots-level mobilization, with a particular focus on empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). With a membership base of more than 8,000 MSMEs, GCCI seeks to raise awareness and enable MSMEs to adopt sustainable business models, ensuring their readiness for the evolving global sustainability landscape.
A platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration
The summit will feature over 30 distinguished speakers and panellists, including sustainability heads from leading conglomerates such as the Adani Group and Arvind Group. These industry leaders will share insights, best practices and lessons learned from their sustainability journeys. Additionally, the event will benefit from the participation of knowledge partners from the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands, fostering global knowledge exchange and showcasing successful international sustainability strategies.
Over 20 esteemed institutions, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar, the Quality Council of India, Gujarat Technological University (GTU) and Ahmedabad University, will contribute their expertise to the summit. This diverse representation ensures a comprehensive exploration of sustainability challenges and opportunities across sectors.
From the horse’s mouth
GCCI President Sandeep Engineer emphasized that the GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit represents a transformative milestone in establishing sustainability as a core business principle. “The platform is designed to bridge knowledge gaps, promote sustainable practices and prepare businesses, especially MSMEs, for a future shaped by environmental responsibility. It is a strategic initiative aimed at supporting India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi. I extend an invitation to all stakeholders to collaborate in shaping a greener and more resilient economic landscape.
A groundbreaking initiative to catalyze sustainable growth: Apurva Shah
GCCI Vice President Apurva Shah highlighted the event as a groundbreaking initiative to catalyze sustainable growth and innovation across industries.
He said, “The summit provides a unique opportunity for businesses to collaborate, learn and adopt forward-thinking strategies that align with global sustainability standards.” He particularly stressed the importance of empowering MSMEs to embrace sustainable practices, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly eco-conscious market. He called upon all stakeholders to join hands in driving meaningful change and positioning Gujarat as a model for sustainable industrial development.
Chairperson of the GCCI ESG Task Force Sameer Sinha advocated the MSMEs to prepare for India’s changing regulations.
Chairperson of Finance & Accounting at IIM Ahmedabad Prashant Das said, “Gujarat contributes 8% of India’s carbon emissions and 7% of the country’s GDP. We will support the GCCI to achieve its sustainability goals.”
Key Focus Areas
The summit’s agenda will address critical themes, including:
- Vision for a Sustainable Gujarat and pathways to achieving the 2070 net-zero target
- Global sustainability trends and their implications for Indian businesses
- Transitioning the real estate sector to profitable sustainability
- Economics of low-carbon transition and building climate resilience in MSMEs
- The future of green policy in India
These sessions are designed to equip businesses with practical tools and strategies to develop robust sustainability roadmaps tailored to their operations.
Commitment to Operational Net Zero
In line with its mission, the GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit will be an Operational Net Zero event. Every aspect of the summit, including participant travel and logistics, will be meticulously mapped and measured to minimize carbon impact. This commitment reflects the event’s dedication to leading by example and reinforcing the importance of sustainability in practice.
The GCCI Gujarat Sustainability Summit represents a pivotal step towards fostering a culture of sustainability within Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event aims to catalyze actionable change, ensuring that businesses are well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a sustainable future.
