The inaugural Sustainability100+ Summit held in Karnataka recently unveiled a dynamic and collaborative approach towards fostering sustainability in the region. The summit, held in Bengaluru, served as a pivotal platform where government officials, corporate leaders, and members of civil society converged to discuss strategies for sustainable development.
With a theme centered around "Sustainable Future through Innovative Strategies in Climate Change and Water Stewardship," the summit facilitated discussions on how collaborative efforts can pave the way for a sustainable future not only for Karnataka but also for India as a whole. It provided a unique opportunity to evaluate ongoing sustainable actions and their impacts within Karnataka against the broader backdrop of global sustainability objectives.
Dignitaries such as Shri DK Shivkumar, Deputy Chief Minister, emphasised Karnataka's commitment to sustainability, highlighting the state's advancements in climate change mitigation and environmental conservation efforts. This sentiment was echoed by LK Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretary to CM & Dept. of Finance, who outlined the state's sustainability agenda, focusing on key pillars such as energy, transport, water, and waste management.
The alignment of this sustainability agenda with the overarching goals of the Sustainability100+ initiative was evident during a fireside chat with Jan Craps, CEO & Co-Chairman of Budweiser Brewing Company APAC. Craps emphasised the importance of collaboration with state governments to ensure that global commitments translate into local impact, echoing the ethos of the 'Act for Impact' theme for Season 3 of Sustainability100+.
Corporate leaders further delved into the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy during a panel discussion titled “Sustainable Leadership: Pioneering Strategies for a Greener Future in the Corporate World.” Kartikeya Sharma, President – India & South East Asia, AB InBev, outlined his company's three-point sustainability mission, focusing on stakeholder inspiration, youth education, and engagement.
His co-panellists, Kamal Bali, President & Managing Director, Volvo India, and Ashish Kulkarni, Partner & Associate Director, Climate and Sustainability Practice, BCG, concurred on the overarching significance of sustainability in corporate strategy, with the former stating that “If you really want to leave this planet for our future generations in a reasonable shape, it’s important that sustainability is no longer just lip service”.
The summit also featured insightful discussions on accelerating climate action in Karnataka, led by experts such as Manjunath Prasad N, Additional Chief Secretary – Forest, Environment and Ecology, and Prof. Dassapa S, Chairman of ICER, IISc, Bengaluru. Their assessments and recommendations highlighted the importance of holistic approaches to sustainable living, as exemplified by local initiatives like the water body rehabilitation efforts led by Anand Malligavad, known as the 'Lakeman of India.'
Additionally, the summit celebrated and encouraged sustainable initiatives through the launch of the second edition of Sustainability100+ Awards. This initiative aims to recognise and honor sustainability champions whose actions have led to positive impacts in their respective fields.
As the first Sustainability100+ Summit drew to a close, it underscored the immense potential of collaborative sustainable action in driving meaningful change. With a diverse range of perspectives and initiatives showcased, the summit served as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and resilient future.
(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)
