Ms Saikia expressed her desire to get associated with the Global Foundation in every possible way. She is also keen to work in the Education in Sustainable Development and Environment Education domains given her past experience in the subject with the Foundation. There was a brief discussion on the possibility of developing Management Development Programme like courses on Sustainability with University affiliation targeted at various stakeholders including Corporate Executives as it appears to be an immediate possibility. Ms Saikia stressed that we shouldn’t spread too thin in our work and aspire to create niche area for ourselves sooner.
Discussed about Global Foundation Collaborating on Art and Sustainability Innovation Lab: A Vision for 2030 for Art from the Heart Chapter (as part of Climate Jamboree, which is a TERI School of Advanced Studies initiative) in pushing the Sustainability Agenda forward amongst young people and students. Primary motive of this initiative is to use various forms art to communicate about environment and sustainability issues and generate positive action on ground. Dr Anandajit is keen that the Global Foundation extends resource support to this endeavour and helps in fund raising.
Deliberated on possible collaborative work specially on the scope of setting up large-scale solar PVs on agriculture fields without disrupting farming and its yield on an experimental basis. It is very important to introduce multi-utility functions in land based solar projects since these projects cover large surface areas leading to low agriculture productivity. As more number of land-based solar projects are getting sanctioned these days, such an effort can allow farming and solar projects to co-exist as it is feared that solar projects may encroach upon fertile agriculture fields compromising the crop productivity.
Discussed on possible international collaborations given Dr Ram Boojh’s network at various UN agencies. Largely discussed on the scope of Sustainability Assessment and Rating for large buildings including educational institutions and universities. It is felt that Universities in particular should conform to sustainability norms and operate in an Environment Friendly manner and thus introduction of such a rating system in India would not only be a timely intervention but an apt one. It was also discussed about participation at the International Conference on Sustainability Education organized by Mobius Foundation. Dr Ram Boojh also mentioned about the Air Quality work undertaken at Stockholm Environment Institute by Dr Lisa and a possible Air Quality Conference later this year in Delhi, which could benefit Global Foundation.
Mr Upadhyay presented a wider perspective on Environmental issues of India and mentioned how he coined the term Enviro Legal Due Diligence and introduced it into the corporate functioning and also cited an example of Mathura based Waste to Energy project. Mr Upadhyay offered to help the Global Foundation in every way possible including allowing to work along side Environment Law and Development Foundation and collaborate to mobilize resources and receive support from outside India. Mr Upadhyay shared his views on the advantage of a Charitable Trust over Section 8 companies to undertake not-for-profit environmental projects and programmes. He also emphasized that importance of inclusive approach in the environment conservation work and advised that such projects should include certain enviro legal component as well since lack of enviro-legal awareness is high in the country
Prof Aggarwal shared various aspects of environment and business sustainability in India. And advised us to undergo a critical assessment about our own strength as we venture into this broad field of environment and sustainability. He is of the opinion that it will help us undertake more impactful work without much deviation or dilution. He also advised us to look the The Nature Conservancy’s work in India to get a deeper insight on key contemporary environmental issues. He also mentioned, there has been some initial work similar to sustainability rating of universities in India and wants us to study the same since the Global Foundation is keen on that subject.
Emphasized on the importance of piloting community based zero-waste projects in the peri-urban rural setup in ecologically sensitive landscapes. He believes for a country like India to succeed in Waste Management aspect, it is critical to study the traditional waste management practices as for centuries many communities have managing their waste well and sustainably. According to Dr Gopi, the Global Foundation may like to look at long term projects spanning between 5-7 years for better results. He also opined that through community-based projects, the Global Foundation will have it easy to secure support under CSR. He advised us to create case studies of waste management that has a strong livelihood aspect and are able to generate employment as it will create empirical evidence for larger good and future scaling up. According to him since mis-managed waste is a disaster in waiting, the Global Foundation should consider disaster mitigation prospect as well while looking into the issue.
Shaonli presented an overview of the work undertaken by Swasti Health Catalyst and explained their approach towards complex community issues such as solid/municipal waste. She explained how ecosystem-based approach is helping them in reduction of disease potential by controlling them at the input level itself. It was largely discussed how Global Foundation can collaborate with Swasti in addressing waste issues through an innovative model that has technology, business sense and community participation. She pointed out that Swasti has been working in some communities in the Gurgaon area for a while and it could be worthwhile put in more effort through further intervention. Shaonli has promised to develop a proof of concept in this context and discuss this with Global Foundation for a possible collaboration.
Discussed elaborately on developing a for profit model of total waste management targeted at NCR region based on the learnings from other cities such as Pune. Pune has tried both Public-Private Partnership model as well as privatized model. And also agreed to pilot a participatory waste management project in CR Park area while Pranab will look to do the same in Noida. Mr Sinha also mentioned about the status of e-waste management in the region and mentioned about E-Waste in India report by PwC.
In the interest of E-waste Management, he proposed that the Global Foundation undertakes a short duration study to understand the status in Delhi region and assess the current chain that exists in e-waste recycling to be able to develop a business model that will be a viable solution to plug in the gap areas.
Mr Sinha is also willing to bring in value towards Foundation’s Website Redesign and Revamping project through content editing etc and will further help boast the foundation’s presence in the social media space through necessary interventions.
Dr Sabata mentioned about various aspects of environmental issues in Delhi and how he can extend help to Global Foundation given his past association with the government. He is appreciative of our proposed interventions in regards to Waste Management and Conservation of Water Resources as both these issues are critical for Delhi. According to him, though he is retired, he still has good contacts in the Govt of NCT of Delhi and can introduce us to some of the officials including ministers should it help our work. Dr Sabat also urged Global Foundation to plan some projects for states like Odisha, which happens to be his home state.
Ms Ira explained Chintan’s work across in New Delhi Railway station and municipalities in Delhi region for better management of waste by providing total end-to-end solution that includes segregation and disposal while working with under-privileged communities. She informed, Chintan uses low-cost composter for the wet waste, while they further segregate the dry waste into some 70 categories sale them specific traders. She mentioned about their mobile app-based service – Pick My Trash service that is now operational in Delhi municipality area. She presented a copy of State of Waste Management in India – a report compiled by Chintan, to Global Foundation. While talking about e-waste management, Ms Ira mentioned about the good work undertaken by a Gurgaon based start-up Karo Sambhav.
Mr Sharma briefily spoke about IUCN’s work in India and elaborated about its corporate programmes that focuses on integrated approach towards environmentalisation of corporate operations. He mentioned about how IUCN has helped many companies to incorporate environmental planning in their operational strategy. He told, there has been a good progress in this regard, a number of reputed companies are now working with IUCN to streamline their green agenda.
Dr Saxena assured to generally extend all possible support to Global Foundation in its endeavors and promised to introduce the Foundation to organisations/companies working on waste management issues. Dr Saxena also felt that Global Foundation should apply for the IUCN membership. Further, it has been proposed to IUCN India that Global Foundation through Prof Ashok Kumar’s extensive academic experience on Business Sustainability and Triple Bottom Line Strategy will be able to join hands in strengthening IUCN programme such as Leaders for Nature.
Mr Singh has been working in the waste management space for close to 20 years, he explained that he specializes in areas of industrial waste collection, segregation and trading of materials such as thermocol/Styrofoam, paper and plastic products. He believes, the current practice doesn’t conform to pollution prevention norms and he has shown interest to integrate environment friendly practices for larger good. Mr Singh sought help from Global Foundation if it can get technical assistance particularly latest American technology on e-waste recycling as he sees a huge financial dividend in e-waste business. He offered to secure space and other infrastructure if the Foundation can help him with necessary technology solutions for e-waste management.
Mr Gotmare and Mr Unnikrishnan presented a brief idea about GGGI’s work in India and elsewhere. The mentioned, GGGI is an inter-governmental agency and works in 31 countries of which India is also a partner country and that GGGI supports environmental growth in developing countries. They have expressed their interest to work with us and sought help from Global Foundation in technology transfer in areas of Waste to Energy in particularly given Prof Ashok Kumar’s rich academic experience in the USA. GGGI also felt, it would be useful if Global Foundation can mobilize resources and get funders to support a pilot scale Waste to Energy Project among others.
Mr Verghese has shown keen inetrest in highlighting five key areas of utmost environmental importance hat he felt, the Global Foundation could start focusing on namely – Air Quality, Water Security, Renewable Energy, Changing Climate and finally E-Waste. He was very encouraging for the foundation to explore India Partnership programme of USAID and see if the Foundation can apply for grant on issues including Water, Forests, Biodiversity, Education, Energy and Agriculture/Food security. He advised, it is ideal to find US based partner as collaborator to bid for India Partnership grants.
Already running a successful waste management company using some new technologies. Offered to collaborate with us in our waste management applications in suburban areas. The models proposed by us would differ in that our vision of sustainable model would need completed collaboration between customers (communities; community leaders) and businesses providing service. The Foundation could work as catalyst to bring the two entities together and serve as a facilitator initially. The local govt will play a role of enforcer of agreement in between the two.
Is well known and well recognized in Noida and beyond for his outstanding work on lake restoration. He gave up thriving engineering job to dedicated full time for lake restoration work with his new techniques an technologies. He has shown great keenness in collaborating with the Foundation to further the work of lake restoration in NCR region and beyond in entire India. This is high priority work Modi Government as well.