7th G-STIC inaugurated in New Delhi with Hon’ble Minister, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri highlighting Biofuels and Green Hydrogen as keys to energy transition
New Delhi, October 22, 2024: The 7th edition of the Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Conference (G-STIC) was inaugurated today in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards aligning technology, policy, and business strategies for sustainable development. Hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with VITO & other co-hosts, the event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and subject experts to explore innovative solutions that address climate change, resource scarcity, and economic development challenges.
The Conference emphasizes water sustainability, climate action, and global partnerships to accelerate market-ready technologies for a sustainable future
The opening session featured addresses by prominent dignitaries who highlighted key themes of sustainable development and technological innovation. Dr Jitendra Vir Sharma, Senior Director, TERI; Mr Dietrich Van der Weken, General Manager, G-STIC and VITO; Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman- Governing Council, TERI; and Dr Paulo Gadelha, former President of Fiocruz, Brazil, shared their insights on the conference theme, setting the stage for impactful dialogues aimed at accelerating market-ready technologies that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable global future.
The Conference was formally inaugurated by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon'ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and His Excellency Mr Didier Anna L Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium to India.
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri particularly emphasised the role of biofuels and green hydrogen in effective energy transition. “India's biofuel story started in 2006, with 1.5 percent blending against the target of 5 percent. Moving forward, we achieved 10 percent target in November 2022 and are on the track to achieve 20 percent blending by 2025. Besides, we have already started discussing on the post 20 percent blending roadmap,” added the Minister. He further underscored the need for technology to be scaled up but also said would depend on the economics of the country.
Highlighting the significance of India-Belgium partnerships in fostering technological innovation and sustainable development, HE Mr Didier Anna L Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium to India, said, “In India VITO is involved in many projects, the crucial being, mapping and adaptation in cities to mitigate the urban heat stress.” “Success in these areas depends on collaborative and collective efforts supported with strong business models. Bridge between research and private sector is crucial, which is something we are going to see happen in these two days.” he further emphasized.
A central theme of the Conference, ‘Water sustainability’, focused on its critical role in advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Efficient water management was identified as essential not only for addressing climate change, but also for securing economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and energy security. The discussions accentuated that over 75 percent of global jobs depended on stable water supplies, making water resource management vital for productivity and sustainable development.
Opening the Plenary session, ‘Water as a driver of multisectoral sustainability and economic development’, Mr Anshuman, Director, Water Resources Division, TERI, said, “An integrated and multisectoral approach to water management is essential to address its linkages with climate, energy, and agriculture. We need to have greater investment in water which is the key to economic development of a country.”
Mr Deb A Mukherjee, Chief Executive Officer, Cenergist, drew attention to water security being a fundamental problem. “Water security requires coupling of demand and supply with stewardship from managers and users for success. Availability, affordability and adequacy are necessary to achieve water security,” he highlighted.
Speaking in the special session on ‘Water sustainability – Leapfrogging water reuse and improved efficiencies’, Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti, said, “The integration of innovation and technology is crucial — from micro-irrigation to satellite data for water management. We need to think beyond traditional approaches and focus on service delivery.”
Ms Mukherjee also emphasized the impact of climate change on the water cycle. “This year, we experienced the highest number of heat days in the recorded history of north and east India and witnessed extreme precipitation events” she noted. Advocating for digital tools, she stressed the need to leverage technology to monitor water use and availability effectively.
The first day of the G-STIC conference featured high-level panel discussions, keynote addresses, and collaborative sessions covering a range of topics such as health, education, energy, water, and climate action. The objective was to accelerate the adoption of market-ready technologies by encouraging global partnerships and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders.
India’s role in promoting water sustainability was highlighted through initiatives like the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ ‘AMRUT’ and ‘National Water Mission’, which are improving water access and security across the country. These efforts contribute not only to the regional progress on the SDGs, but also to India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
The two-day conference aims to inspire innovative approaches to sustainability, positioning India as a leader in technology-driven solutions for climate action and resource management in South Asia. Through these discussions, participants will explore regional and global perspectives, learning from successful models worldwide to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future.