CII and UN India sign MoU for Sustainable Development

United Nations India (UN) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for effective implementation of sustainable development goals in the country. The executive director of the UN Environment, Erik Solheim, and the Director-General of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Chandrajit Banerjee, signed the memorandum on October 5 in Delhi at the CII headquarters.

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The memorandum provides a framework for the issues of the environment and the subsequent steps which can be taken to curb the problem. Major environmental issues such as climate change, energy needs, sources of renewable energy, water conservation, infrastructure etc will be addressed. But the most important problem of 'plastic pollution' will be addressed majorly in the MoU. The CII and UN will work together to solve the unprecedented damage caused to the environment due to plastic usage. This will surely have long-term benefits to nature.

Solheim said that leadership from India was very crucial and the solution for curbing the plastic pollution problem lies in the initiatives from the private sector significantly.

The CIII aims to work diligently to address the problem which is dangerous to the environment. Chandrajit Banerjee said that it will work towards voluntary codes on the imminent issue of plastics in India and that there already was a precedent with advantages to firms in terms of credit and shareholder values. Outside of India, CII will engage with industry forums it is linked to in different countries, and especially in Africa via its annual CII-Africa Conclave.

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The MoU covers all prime areas of concerns which are common to both organizations and encompasses  'coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development', according to an official statement. The UnPlastic Initiative of the CII and UN India will come into effect immediately. Beginning with a Call to Action, it includes directives by the CII on actions to curb the plastic pollution all around the country.

Prime Minister of India aims to make India plastic-free by 2022. Recently, he had also received the highest Environmental honour by the United Nation, 'the 'Champions of the Earth' award for his significant work towards making the environment better. Under his leadership, the government is trying to work holistically towards sustainable development goals in the country.

(With Inputs from PTI)