The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) hosted an international conference titled Integrating Mission LiFE in the Automobile Industry: Transitioning Towards ‘Viksit Bharat’. The event aligned with World Environment Day 2024 and showcased the commitment of both government and industry leaders towards sustainable mobility.
The conference featured Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, as the Chief Guest. In his address, Kapoor emphasised the importance of environmental preservation for a sustainable future, with electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront. He stated, “Our goal is to make India a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles, serving both domestic and global markets. We must find ways to move towards sustainable transportation without affecting any aspect of life.”
Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted the need for innovative retail fuel outlets to accommodate various fuel types. He urged industry leaders to promote sustainability principles among customers and vehicle owners.
His Excellency Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil, underscored the significance of international collaborations for green energy solutions. He said, “India and Brazil's close partnership on bio-fuels highlights ethanol's potential as a new green fuel, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions.”
Dr Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting sustainability in transportation through various schemes. He stressed the need to accelerate efforts to ensure a sustainable transition to green mobility.
Sudhendu J Sinha, Adviser at Niti Ayog, called for a more respectful and sincere approach to sustainability. He proposed creating a dedicated vertical led by a passionate sustainability officer and highlighted the year’s substantial investment in innovation, amounting to INR 1 lakh crore.
Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM reaffirmed SIAM’s commitment to building a responsible nation and advancing green mobility with the support of vehicle manufacturers.
Shailesh Chandra, Vice President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors, stressed the importance of halting nature's degradation. He highlighted SIAM's role in integrating sustainability from vehicle design to disposal, supporting India's net-zero economy goal by 2070.
The conference also included three thematic sessions focusing on curbing environmental pollution, conserving existing resources, and harnessing renewable energy. These sessions featured insights from various industry experts, including Sukhmal Jain of Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Vikram Gulati of Toyota Kirloskar Motors, and Deepak Ballani of the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturing Association.
Prashant K Banerjee concluded the event by urging industry leaders to continue innovating to achieve sustainability goals and integrate Life principles into their business processes. The conference solidified SIAM's role in championing sustainable mobility and set the stage for future initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and promoting green energy solutions.
Also Read
SIAM’s Focus On Sustainability At 'Viksit Bharat' Conference On World Environment Day 2024