L&T, Norway's DNV sign MoU on collaboration in multiple sectors (See 'Corp Brief') Nadda reviews availability of fertilizers during Kharif season (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Penalty orders passed by National Faceless Assessment Centre u/s 270A, 271(1)(c) and 271AAC(1) of Income Tax Act, is set aside, being passed after approval of Resolution Plan by NCLT: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Science, Sustainability and Youth Will Drive Change: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') ECL marks World Environment Day 2025 with Campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Objections pressed by Award Debtor to obstruct enforcement of award, can't be sustained: HC (See 'Legal Desk') KVIC disburses margin money subsidy of Rs 300 Cr to 8794 beneficiaries (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Insolvency professional cannot be appointed as IRP/RP if any disciplinary proceeding is pending against him: IBBI (See 'Legal Desk') India wins Presidency of Institute of Administrative Sciences (See 'Corp Brief') Minister speaks of path for Elderly Welfare and Empowerment (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - Absence of provision for period of limitation can't be interpreted as to imply indefinite period for initiation & conclusion of proceedings under SAFEMA which impinge upon valuable right of owning properties: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Integrated farming must be promoted for marginal farmers: Chouhan (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Mere attachment of property does not alter position with regard to ownership or even possession/use of properties which are subject matter of such attachment: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Khattar applauds THDC's Commencement of COD (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - ED could not have assumed that any other scheduled offence are committed by accused and proceeds were derived therefrom and attached property over above seized gold, even if same were found to out of unexplained source: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Revamped 'Hall of Nuclear Power: Atoms Serving the Nation' to be Inaugurated in Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') Capital Market - Violations comitted by research analysts in misleading clients with assurances of guaranteed returns & failure to supervise employee's communications, calls for penalty: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') Textile Secy presides over 4th meeting of ESG Task Force (See 'Corp Brief') DPIIT to host Special Event marking 68 Years of Copyright Act (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays acquisition of share capital of IDFC First Bank by Currant Sea Investments (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Restrictions provided u/s 45 of PMLA would not come in way of ensuring right to personal liberty and speedy trial under Article 21 of Constitution of India: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves acquisition of Interpublic Group of Companies by Omnicom Group Inc. (See 'Corp Brief') 'India Pavilion' inaugurated by Crown Prince of Norway (See 'Corp Brief') MOIL achieves best May production (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Penalty of Rs 77 Lakhs imposed on a small cooperative bank, for failure to report certain cash transactions, is excessive; could jeopardize it's financial stability - quantum of penalty stands reduced: PMLA Tribunal (See 'Legal Desk') IICA to establish First Regional Campus in N-E, advancing Corporate Governance (See 'Corp Brief') A&C Act - re-possession of medical equipment correct where loan is secured through hypothecation of medical equipment & where Facility-cum-Hypothecation Agreement clearly provided for right of repossession in case of default: HC (See 'Legal Desk') JNARDDC hosts Meet with non-ferrous recycling stakeholders in Hyderabad (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - a finance company has a duty to conduct due diligence regarding the financial history and credibility of its debtor: TRIBUNAL (See 'Legal Desk') HM reviews world's largest cooperative food grain storage scheme (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Income tax dues are sovereign dues and cannot be declared as secured debt solely because of reason that attachment was made seeking recovery of dues: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') Phase-2 of NAKSHA Capacity Building Programme to be launched across 5 Centres of Excellence (See 'Corp Brief') IEPFA and SEBI launch First 'Niveshak Shivir' in Pune (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Phonographic Performance Limited cannot issue or grant licences for sound recordings in its repertoire, without registering itself as copyright society or becoming its member: HC (See 'Legal Desk') NHAI Chairman visits Kerala to inspect Highway Projects (See 'Corp Brief') Capital Market - Responsibility u/s 10(5) of FEMA can't be waived by relying on valuation certificate issued by CA, when DCF method was based on incorrect data: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana takes over as Commander-in-Chief of Andaman Command (See 'Corp Brief')

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Science, Sustainability and Youth Will Drive Change: MoS

Published: Jun 06, 2025

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 06, 2025: ADDRESSING a programme, as chief guest, on the occasion of the "World Environment Day" yesterday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, "we owe it to the next generation to preserve the environment for them".

The Science & Technology Minister reaffirmed India's leading role in global climate action, urging citizens and institutions alike to adopt sustainable practices as a national duty. Addressing the TATWA event yesterday virtually-Transforming (Emissions) Air, (Rising) Temperature, Water (Quality) through Climate Actions-organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) here on the occasion of World Environment Day. He underlined that India's approach to climate resilience is rooted in both scientific innovation and public participation.

"Earth gives us everything-clean air, fresh water, fertile land. But we take these gifts for granted," Dr. Jitendra Singh said, addressing a packed hall of scientists, policy makers, start-ups, and students. Warning of the increasing threats from pollution, deforestation, and climate change, he said that combating these challenges must become a collective responsibility, enabled by behavioural change and lifestyle-driven movements like Mission LiFE-Lifestyle for Environment.

The Minister spotlighted India's bold climate pledges under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, particularly the 'Panchamrit' commitments announced at COP26. These include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity and meeting 50% of energy needs through renewables by 2030, cutting carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, reducing carbon intensity by 45%, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasized the strategic role of the Department of Science and Technology in realizing these goals. He pointed to two national climate missions spearheaded by DST under the National Action Plan on Climate Change: The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). Both aim to strengthen climate research, protect fragile ecosystems, and build long-term sustainability.

DST, the Minister said, is heavily investing in building scientific infrastructure and capacity. Key initiatives include India's second Ice-Core Research Facility at the University of Kashmir, the installation of automated weather stations, and high-end computing capabilities across academic institutions. Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the growing role of youth in climate innovation, citing IIT Mandi's 'Himalayan Startup Trek' as a standout initiative supporting start-ups focused on mountain ecosystem challenges.

In a significant policy push, DST has launched a special call to support research in urban climate and extreme events-acknowledging the rising vulnerabilities of Indian cities. On the mitigation front, DST is advancing cutting-edge work in decarbonization and clean energy through initiatives like Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVIC) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies for the power and cement sectors. These programmes have also enabled robust international partnerships with countries such as the UK and Sweden under the Mission Innovation framework.

Complementing these efforts, several CSIR labs-including IICT, NCL, NEERI, NIIST and IIP-are working on technologies ranging from green hydrogen and biodegradable polymers to waste-to-wealth solutions and climate-friendly building materials.

The Minister also highlighted India's BioE3 Policy-Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment-as a vital component of the country's Net Zero Carbon Economy roadmap. The policy promotes a circular bioeconomy by supporting biomanufacturing, bio-based chemicals, and climate-resilient agriculture, while fostering public-private partnerships to scale up biotech innovation and employment.

Broader climate strategies were also outlined, including the National Policy on Blue Economy, which aims to optimise maritime resources in sectors like fisheries, tourism and ocean energy. The Prime Minister's recent Rs 50,000 crore development push in Bhuj was cited as evidence of India's commitment to sustainable ocean-based growth. Initiatives like 'Mission Mausam' were also showcased as vital to enhancing India's weather surveillance and climate resilience using next-generation forecasting technologies.

Dr. Jitendra Singh described these diverse investments as a "testimony of the urgency and importance the Government of India accords to climate action." He concluded by congratulating the DST team for organizing the TATWA event and steering India's research-driven sustainability agenda. "Under the leadership of Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, and the guidance of Dr. Anita Gupta, Head, CEST Division, DST is laying the foundation for a science-led, people-powered green future," he said.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) unveiled several major initiatives aimed at accelerating India's transition towards a clean, sustainable, and resilient energy and climate future. Among the key releases was the Compendium of Clean Coal Technologies, highlighting the achievements of the Clean Coal R&D Programme, launched in 2017. The compendium showcases 34 innovative technologies developed through multi-institutional and PI-led collaborations, backed by an investment of over Rs 188 crore. Also released was the Executive Summary of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) on decarbonization, which prioritizes sector-specific technologies vital for climate mitigation and adaptation across energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and more.

In addition, DST launched new projects covering critical areas of sustainability. These include initiatives on the Recovery and Recycling of End-of-Life Solar PV Modules, supporting 15 selected proposals to promote circular economy; and Urban Climate Change Research, aimed at enhancing resilience in rapidly growing Indian cities. International collaborations were also spotlighted, including the Indo-Danish Green Hydrogen Projects and the Indo-Dutch Hydrogen Valley Fellowship Program, both fostering innovation and talent development in the green hydrogen sector. Moreover, the launch of the GRiH-COOL R&D call aims to develop grid-responsive, sustainable heating and cooling technologies for buildings, further contributing to India's climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Prof. Abhay Karandikar; HE Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India; Dr. R.R. Sonde, Professor Emeritus, BITS Pilani; and Dr. Anita Gupta, along with a vibrant audience of international scientists, entrepreneurs and students.

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