DSDS 2015 to Open the Debate on Global Sustainable Development Agenda

NEW DELHI, January 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

- Actor-activist Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyrathi to Participate Along With Union Ministers Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Mr Suresh Prabhu 

- Representatives From Over 35 Countries, 13 Heads of States (Current and Former), Ministers and More Than 100 Corporate Heads Will Attend the Summit 

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will be hosting its annual flagship event, the landmark 15^th edition of the 'Delhi Sustainable Development Summit' (DSDS), in New Delhi from February 5 to 7, 2015.

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The dawn of a new era in the global development arena is almost here. After 15 years of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are set to take over. At present, there is a global imperative as well as an opportunity for a more inclusive approach towards development, design and practice. DSDS 2015, themed on 'Sustainable Development Goals and Dealing with Climate Change', will focus on issues related to sustainable development, environment and energy access and security, and is expected to assess worldwide progress on critical issues pertaining to the SDGs, tackling climate change and reducing our carbon footprint, among other issues.

Speaking on the relevance of DSDS 2015, Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI, said, "With global developments moving towards finalisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and an agreement on climate change expected at the Paris Conference of the Parties (CoP21) at the end of 2015, there is need for a timely initiative in these areas. The summit will not only provide momentum to global developments in both these areas, but also enrich the debate through the insights and knowledge of the very distinguished participants to focus on these two interlinked issues. DSDS 2015 is drawing an unprecedented number of distinguished leaders from government, industry, academia and civil society to be able to deal with SDGs, as well as climate change on a comprehensive and enlightened basis."

A day prior to the inaugural of the summit, the crème de la crème of the business fraternity will converge at the 'High Level Corporate Dialogue' on February 4, to discuss 'Delhi to Paris: Corporate Vision on Climate Change'. The deliberations at the Dialogue will translate into a document which will form the basis for evolving a roadmap - highlighting the distinct challenges and opportunities for each issue and sector - and preparing a concrete corporate plan for the post-2015 development agenda.

Dr Annapurna Vancheswaran , Director, Sustainable Development Outreach, TERI, said, "The High level Corporate Dialogue, the curtain raiser for DSDS 2015, will focus on charting a roadmap for corporate leadership to deal with climate change. As the theme suggests, between February 2015 and November 2015, Corporate India will be engaged in a series of 'Corporate Consultations' that will mark the 'Talk to Action' agenda, which will be tabled at CoP 21 in Paris in November 2015."

The summit will also witness a range of luminaries from different fields, such as HE Abg Manuel Gerardo Pedro Pulgar-Vidal Otálora, Minister of Environment, Peru; HE Mr Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, France; Mr Prakash Javadekar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (IC), India; Mr Suresh Prabhu, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, India; Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger, Founding Chair, R20 - Regions of Climate Change and Former Governor, California; Mr Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Laureate and Founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan and Chairperson of Global March Against Child Labour, India, among others.

The summit will host plenary sessions on a range of issues: MDGs to SDGs and Addressing Climate Change; Sustainable Production and Consumption: Policy and Practice; SDGs in a World of Wealth and Income Disparities, Sustainability, Climate Change and Corporate Sector Initiatives, The Agreement that the World Needs at CoP-21, Sustainable Buildings and Smart Cities, among others. The thematic tracks, which will address specialized topics, will be led by area experts, scholars and influencers and is aimed to provide feasible solutions to the challenges faced by the global community.

Two reports, TERI BCSD - YES Bank Knowledge Paper titled "Enabling Finance for Scaling up Energy Efficiency in MSMEs" and TERI BCSD-YES Bank-ASSOCHAM Knowledge Paper titled "Respected Ganga: An Inclusive Multi-Stakeholder Approach", will be released during the summit.

The 11th Sustainable Development Leadership Award will also be presented at the summit. Instituted by TERI in 2005, the award felicitates global leaders for their contributions in the field of sustainable development and for encouraging global initiatives that can lead the world towards a sustainable future. Last year, Mr Anand Mahindra, Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, received the 10th Sustainable Development Leadership Award for his manifold contributions in the field of sustainable development.

About TERI 

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation deeply committed to every aspect of energy, environment and sustainable development. From providing environment-friendly solutions to rural energy problems, to helping shape the development of the Indian oil and gas sector; from tackling global climate change issues across many continents to enhancing forest conservation efforts among local communities; from advancing solutions to growing urban transportation and air pollution problems to promoting energy efficiency in Indian industries, the emphasis has always been on finding innovative solutions to make the world a better place in which to live.

Headed by Dr. R. K. Pachauri, also the chairperson of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning climate change body, IPCC, TERI has emerged as an institution of excellence for its ground-breaking research and is a global brand widely respected by political leaders, policymakers and corporate entities as well as the civil society at large.

About TERI-BCSD 

TERI-Business Council for Sustainable Development (TERI-BCSD) is an independent and credible platform for corporate leaders to address issues related to sustainable development and promote leadership in environmental management, social responsibility and economic performance.

With TERI's globally acclaimed leadership in the areas of its work on sustainable development and climate change for four decades, TERI-BCSD leverages TERI's knowledge base and professional expertise for the business community in India. Over the years, in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), TERI-BCSD has been helping Indian businesses to adopt environmentally and socially responsible business strategy and planning.

For more information, please visit: http://bcsd.teri.res.in/. 

Media Contact
Basudha Das
Tel: +91-9999881145
E-Mail: [email protected]
Research Associate, The Energy and Resources Institute

SOURCE The Energy and Resources Insititute