?Private sector has key role in clean technology?

Speaking on Thursday at the 2nd India Cleantech Forum in New Delhi, he said success depends on how the two countries address the issues of climate change, sustainability and clean technologies, stressing on the private sector?s key role in clean technology. He also called for enabling policies and regulations.

Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, CII-Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, Clean Technology AustralAsia, and supported by The Financial Express, the two-day forum, Cleantech Solutions: Financing the Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development in India, is seeking to identify challenges and opportunities in clean technology, including transfer and deployment of technologies.

The forum is bringing together more than 300 opinion leaders and decision makers from the government, industry and funding agencies from India and abroad.

In his keynote address, Fred R Buenrostro, former chief executive officer of pension fund CalPERS, pointed out that the asset allocations for clean technologies in emerging economies like India is on the rise. He emphasised that the time is right for transformational investments to offer solutions to challenges like climate change and energy/food insecurity.

Talking about global investment opportunities in clean technologies and renewable energy like wind technology, solar technology and bio-fuels, said that clean technology investments are projected to be $10 billion per week by 2030. He was in favour of low-cost and decentralised solutions to energy infrastructure challenges in developing countries.

Saying that clean technology solutions can help maintain balance between economic growth and sustainable development, he added that the forum?s timing couldn?t have been better as it came soon after the launch of India?s National Action Plan on Climate Change.

The forum was opened by Atul Singh, chairman of CII National Committee on Environment, and president and CEO of Coca-Cola India.