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C20 Policy Round Table on Green Finance at DES IMDR

th
on 8 April 2023

As part of India’s G20 Presidency, many events are being organized across the
different parts of India and the globe, both in person and virtually. These events
seek to democratize the G20 process and take it to the people. They seek to
engage relevant stakeholders to receive relevant policy inputs to the various
issues deliberated by the G20. One of the most significant engagement groups
of G20 is the Civil20 or C20 that works with civil society organizations and, through
them, the people of G20 and invitee nations, capturing their voice for G20.
The Sustainable and Resilient Communities Working Group of C20 has been
conducting a series of C20 Policy Round Tables whose objective is to unite
domain experts, community service organizations, academia, industries, think
tanks and people worldwide to deliberate on challenges in building sustainable
and resilient communities.
Against this background, a C20 Policy Round Table on Green Finance was
organized on 8th April 2023 at Deccan Education Society’s Institute of Management,
Development and Research (IMDR®) Pune, Maharashtra in collaboration with
Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Kerala. It was held in the hybrid mode. Over 50
stakeholders participated in person, and about 300 plus participated in online
mode.

Dr. Shilpa Kulkarni introduced the theme for the programme followed by an
address by CS Mahesh Athavale, Vice Chairman of DES, Pune. He reminded the
audience of the teachings of Tukaram Maharaj that speak about the importance
of coexistence with nature. It was followed by an introduction of C20 and the
various initiatives undertaken by the engagement group by Dr. Murali Krishan
from Amrita.

Prof N Vinod Menon moderated the panel discussion and stressed upon
investment in sustainable resources in his opening remarks. Green Finance
is included in it as it refers to financial products and services that promote
sustainable development. Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, IAS (Retired) spoke
about the importance of continued production until a stability in reached in
terms of population growth. He warned about the dangers of soil erosion and
wished that groundwater extraction should not lead to groundwater exploitation.
Mr. Chandarashekhar Chincholar, Director-Corporate Advisory CES India
Pvt. Ltd made the innovative suggestion of CSR disclosures by corporates at
periodic intervals instead of at the end of the year. He elaborated on the various
alternatives available for investment in Green Finance. Ms. Deepti George, Deputy
Head of Strategy, Dvara Research gave insights into the challenges involved
in formalizing credit for people from low income households. Prof Menon then
spoke about building a resilient society post disasters and gave examples from
his experience of working with the NDMA.

The event ended with a vote of Thanks by Prof Pratik Potdar from IMDR. Overall,
the event was a grand success.

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