Panel Discussion

About Discussion

As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the world is facing an unprecedented urgency to tackle the challenges posed by rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource depletion. The socio-economic consequences of climate change are already being felt worldwide, affecting industries, communities, and ecosystems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has made it clear that, without immediate and substantial action, global temperatures could surpass the 1.5°C threshold, leading to catastrophic outcomes for humanity and the planet. In this heightened scenario, the demand for innovative solutions to combat climate change has never been more critical.

In response to this urgent need, a new breed of businesses is emerging with sustainability embedded at the core of their mission. These forward-thinking enterprises are not just making incremental changes to existing practices; they are employing out-of-the-box thinking, reimagining traditional business models to design products, services, and solutions that directly address the root causes of climate change. From renewable energy and green mobility startups to innovators in waste management, carbon capture, and energy efficiency, these companies are transforming industries and paving the way toward a low-carbon future. By integrating sustainability into their operations, these businesses are creating mechanisms to reduce emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote circular economy models, all while fostering new opportunities for growth and development.

By shifting the mindset to view companies as providers of climate solutions rather than just sources of emissions and focusing on innovation as a driver of value and growth, these businesses play a crucial role in meeting the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. Recognising the critical importance of advancing climate resilience and sustainability, initiatives like the Earth Care Awards have emerged to highlight and support such endeavours. Since 2008, the Earth Care Awards—a joint initiative of JSW and The Times of India Group—have been championing efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation across India.

In its 12th edition, the Earth Care Awards seek to spotlight businesses that have chosen out-of-the-box thinking as their guiding principle, focusing on how they are driving change in industries traditionally associated with high emissions and environmental degradation. As part of this, the panel discussion titled “Adapting for Tomorrow: Creating Resilience Through Climate-Smart Development” will explore how these innovative enterprises are reshaping sectors with bold ideas and sustainable solutions, driving the transition towards a low-carbon economy. It aims to bring together leading voices in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation to discuss how these emerging businesses are reshaping the future of climate action.

Topics of Discussion

  • Climate Vulnerability in the Face of Rapid Urbanisation
  • Transforming Vulnerabilities into Opportunities for Resilience
  • Role of urban and peri-urban ecosystems in building resilience while promoting local biodiversity and reducing ecological footprints
  • The integration of green building codes that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainable materials
  • Inclusive and Efficient Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Approaches
  • Adaptation Through Infrastructure and Policy Innovation
  • Pathways to Scalable and Sustainable Resilience
  • Future policy directions, including the potential for climate adaptation financing and public-private partnerships to enhance resilience

Agenda

10:45 am – 11:00 am

Welcome Address

Prasanta Biswal,

Head CSR & Corporate Relations,

JSW Foundation Odisha

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Panel Discussion:

Adapting for Tomorrow: Creating Resilience Through Climate-Smart Development

Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar
Director General, R&D and Innovation, KIIT University
Chairman, Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster

 Satyabrata Samal
Climate Man of Odisha
Founder & Director, Sattvic Soul Foundation

 Abha Mishra
Head of Office, UNDP Odisha

 Dr. Ambika Prasad Nanda
Head- CSR Odisha,

Tata Steel

 Swapna Sarangi
Head- Gender Diversity and Integration,

Foundation for Ecological Security (FES)

Moderator: Ajay Pandey, Founder-Director, Thinkthrough Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Audience Q&A

12:00 pm – 12:20 pm

 

Networking Tea Break

12:20 pm – 12:40 pm

Special Address

Ranjan Kishor Panda,

Convenor of Water Initiatives Odisha

12:40 pm – 01:00 pm

Past Winners Speak

Nirmal Chandra Mohanty,

Programme Manager, Livelihoods and Village Institutions

Gram Vikas

01:00 pm Onwards

 

Networking Lunch

Our Speakers

Prasanta Biswal

Head CSR & Corporate Relations,
JSW Foundation, Odisha

Ranjan Panda

Ranjan Panda

Popularly known as Water Man of Odisha! First Green Hero Awardee!

Prof. (Dr) Mrutyunjay Suar

Prof. (Dr) Mrutyunjay Suar

Chairman-Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation (BCKIC)

Satyabrata Samal

Satyabrata Samal

“Climate Man of Odisha” Founder & Director, Sattvic Soul Foundation

Abha Mishra

Abha Mishra

State Head, UNDP Odisha

Swapna Sarangi

Swapna Sarangi

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Head Foundation for Ecological Security (FES)

Ambika Nanda

Ambika Nanda

Head CSR Odisha, Tata Steel

Ajay Pandey

Founder-Director, Thinkthrough Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Nirmal Chandra Mohanty

Programme Manager, Livelihoods and Village Institutions
Gram Vikas

Who Should Attend:

  • Policymakers and Government Officials
  • Business Leaders and Private Sector Representatives
  • Sustainability Experts and Environmentalists
  • NGOs and Community Organizations
  • Academia and Researchers
  • Environmental Technology Providers

Event Details:

Date:        8th November 2024

Time:         10:00 AM to 01:30 PM followed by Lunch

Venue:    Mayfair Lagoon,

                    8-B, Mayfair Road, Jayadev Vihar, 

                    Bhubaneswar, Odisha India

Hall:          Orchid

Registration

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