Circular economy is essential for India’s future: Bhupender Yadav
Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav emphasized that adopting a circular economy is not just an option but a necessity for India’s future. Speaking at the Special Ministerial Session of the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity, organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in New Delhi on Monday, Yadav highlighted the economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainable practices, particularly in the rapidly growing automotive sector.
“Nature is the ultimate recycler, producing on an unmatched scale without waste,” Yadav remarked. “As we take pride in our manufacturing capabilities, we must also learn from Nature’s example in waste management.” He urged the automotive industry to embrace nature-inspired recycling strategies as it navigates its transition toward sustainability.
Yadav lauded SIAM for initiating discussions on circularity amidst the remarkable growth of India’s automotive sector, now the third-largest global market for passenger vehicle sales. He stressed the importance of aligning this growth with environmental sustainability and making the circular economy a key priority.
The Minister also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fostering a forward-thinking approach, encouraging the country to move beyond mere waste management to unlocking the value in waste, transforming it into wealth.
Calling on SIAM and the automotive industry to lead this transition, Yadav emphasized the need to design recyclable products, integrate sustainability into dealership operations, and enhance consumer awareness about sustainable practices. He concluded by underscoring the dual responsibility of the industry to foster economic progress while safeguarding the environment. The Minister also encouraged participation in afforestation initiatives like the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, highlighting its critical role in combating air pollution.
On the occasion, Yadav unveiled SIAM’s strategy paper titled *‘Towards Circular Future in the Automobile Industry: Integrating EPR Regime in Waste Stream Regulation’*. The document outlines actionable steps for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the industry to incentivize recycling.
The event was attended by key industry leaders, including Prashant K. Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, and Vikram Kasbekar, Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp, who shared insights on the path forward for integrating circular economy principles into the automotive sector.
This conference further reinforced India’s commitment to a sustainable, circular future, where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
