Clean Industrialisation is Not a Constraint, but a Catalyst for Economic Expansion, Innovation, Resilience and Future Prosperity: Bhupender Yadav

Bhupender Yadav, delivered the Special Plenary Address on ‘Green Growth: Aligning Sustainability with Competitiveness’, at the CII IndiaEdge 2025 event, in New Delhi today. He emphasized India’s strategic shift toward sustainable, competitive, and resilient economic growth and appreciated the role of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in shaping progressive policy frameworks and strengthening government–industry collaboration.

Highlighting India’s developmental trajectory under Viksit Bharat@2047, the Minister underscored the country’s strong economic fundamentals and rapid progress in sustainable development. He noted, “Clean industrialisation is not a constraint; it is a catalyst for economic expansion, innovation, resilience, and future prosperity.” Decarbonising our manufacturing sector is a strategic imperative to enhance India’s export competitiveness and avoid future carbon-related trade concerns, he noted.

Shri Yadav reaffirmed India’s global environmental leadership amid anthropogenic and geopolitical turbulence, and stated, “India has emerged as a trusted global partner redefining development to correct imbalances, prioritising green technologies, embedding circularity, promoting sustainable manufacturing, and integrating nature-based solutions.” The Minister detailed recent reforms and initiatives driving India’s green industrial transformation. Referring to the GST 2.0 reforms, he stated, “GST 2.0 reforms reaffirm green growth by reducing tax rates from 12% to 5% on renewable energy equipment, biodegradable plastics, effluent treatment plants, and electric vehicles. Industry must seize this opportunity to invest in green manufacturing, integrate eco-friendly practices across supply chains, and collaborate to scale technologies for global competitiveness.”

The Minister highlighted various initiatives and reform measures taken by the Government of India to boost sustainability and competitiveness of Indian Industry. These included the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM), and other key initiatives such as the National Critical Mineral Mission 2025, revised Green Credit Programme, and Environment Audit Rules 2025. He urged industry to “actively partner in these efforts to propel India’s sustainable ambitions, while carving a global competitive edge.”