The Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce (IACC), Gujarat Branch, in collaboration with the Gujarat
University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) and the Dr. Jaimin Vasa MSME Chair, organised a highly informative event on
“Carbon Credit: A Business Opportunity” on Thursday. The event, the first in a series of sessions on environment sustainability, brought together leading voices in sustainability and business to discuss
emerging opportunities and strategies for carbon credits.
Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Kusum Kaull Vyass, Chairperson
of IACC, Gujarat Branch, emphasised the traditional historical consciousness of environmental stewardship in Indian culture.
“We have been mindful of nature for thousands of years. Mahatma Gandhi, right here in Gujarat, spoke about saving water and natural resources long before the world understood the need. Today, as we manufacture and export products globally, we must remain conscious of
our environmental impact and adopt sustainable practices,” she said.
In her address, Dr. Neerja Gupta, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, spoke about the disconnect between development and environmental
care.“We have disregard for the environment and callousness for the climate.
We often measure development with cement and concrete, ignoring the
earth that sustains us. It is high time we care for our children, for future generations. Earning carbon credits is not just a business opportunity but a responsibility we must embrace to protect the planet,” she said.
Dr. Jaimin Vasa, Promoter of Dr. Jaimin Vasa MSME Chair, said that the urgency of addressing climate change has never been more pressing and it is imperative for businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
“MSMEs make significant contributions to India’s GDP and exports, but they must also adapt to the climate crisis. Carbon credits offer a path forward to offset carbon emissions and tap into new revenue streams.
However, challenges like market volatility, lack of knowledge, and limited resources make it difficult for MSMEs to fully participate. Establishing a carbon credit bank in Gujarat could provide an innovative solution to help even small enterprises engage in this critical market,” Dr. Vasa said.
Pankaj Bohra, National President of IACC, gave a brief outline of IACC and its role in promoting trade and bilateral commerce between India and the US through policy advocacy and strategic engagements.
The keynote addresses were delivered by experts including, renowned Naturalist and Writer Jagat Kinkhabwala, who spoke on environment conservation and carbon credits, Arya Patel, Founder & MD of Global
Carbon Check, who provided insights into the carbon credits and carbon registry, and Pankaj Patel, Director of Abellon Clean Energy, who spoke about carbon credits.
The event highlighted the growing importance of carbon credits and
environmental sustainability, offering valuable knowledge to entrepreneurs and businesses looking to contribute to a greener future.The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session.
