High Level Corporate Dialogue

DSDS 2014 – Curtain Raiser
5th February, 2014 | Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi
How will Businesses Lead India's Energy, Water and Food Security?

"The energy-water-food nexus, underscores the global challenges that we face as a society. The increasing global population, industrialization and urbanization pose stress to our energy, water and food supplies. Unsustainable development, extreme weather conditions and impacts of climate change only intensify these pressures. According to UN estimates, for a population that could top 10 billion by 2050, in the next 15 to 20 years alone we will need 30 percent more water, 45 percent more energy and 50 percent more food. Shortages of resources could cause social and political instability, geopolitical conflict and irreparable environmental damage. Any strategy that focuses on one part of the water-food-energy nexus without considering its interconnections risks serious unintended consequences." — World Economic Forum, 2011 Though the corporate risk and opportunities related to the energy-water-food nexus is still nascent in the minds of many businesses, several companies have seriously begun to focus on this nexus by way of reorienting or broadening their business strategies. — Conservation International's Business and Sustainability Council Study, Energy, water and food Security form comprehensive vertices of the development triangle covering the sources for many other problems faced by society at large. The corporate agenda towards energy, water and food security needs to be identified for convergent action. Corporations further need to understand the importance of engaging in policy to advance public interest, ensure equitable decision making & minimize business risk. The recent landmark Companies Act 2013 passed by the two houses of parliament, Government of India, has set the tone for a more modern legislation which enables growth and greater regulation of the corporate sector in India. The forward looking Act is expected to improve corporate governance norms, enhance accountability and encourage corporate democracy. Further, it is observed that the mandated 2% from profits after tax		Speakers of 2014 Dr Kandeh K Yumkella, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy Mr Erik Eid Hohle, Managing Director, The Energy Farm, Norway Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Ms Amina J Mohammed, Special Advisor of the United Nations Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning Dr Annapurna Vancheswaran, Director, Sustainable Development Outreach Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Mr Arun Maira, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India Mr Assaad Razzouk, Group Chief Executive Officer, Sindicatum Sustainable Resources Dr Bindu N Lohani, Vice President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Mr Dev Sanyal, Executive Vice President and Group Chief of Staff, BP p.l.c., UK Mr John Bryson, Head, Bryson Climate Initiative, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars & Former Secretary of Commerce, USA Mr Krishan Dhawan, CEO, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation Mr Martin Wright, Founding Editor, Green Futures & Director - India, Forum for the Future Mr Masamitsu Sakurai, Executive Advisor, Ricoh Company Ltd. Ms Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head, HSBC India & Director, HSBC Asia Pacific Mr Philippe Joubert, Managing Director, Energy and Climate, World Business Council for Sustainable Development & Executive Chair, Global Electricity Initiative Mr Ravi Pandit, Chairman and Group CEO, KPIT Technologies Ltd Mr Stephen Rumsey, Chairman, Permian Global Mr Tadashi Maekawa, President, Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Japan Mr Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon Group Dr Shashi Tharoor, Hon'ble Minister of State for Human Resource Development, India Mr Vivek Rae, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India Chair: Mr Yvo de Boer, Global Chairman, Climate Change & Sustainability Services, KPMG International & Former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC Glimpses of 2014 Special Luncheon Session Mr Vivek Rae's Innaugural Address Inaugural Session Corporate Action Towards Energy, Water and Food Security: Challenges and Prospects Changing Paradigms of Creating Social Value for Businesses Concluding Session Release of TERI- YES BANK Publications Asia regional launch of the ‘UN Decade for Sustainable Energy for All (2014-2024) Reception and Dinner
on Indian businesses, to be utilized for corporate social responsibility, has the potential to unleash huge economic and social value. The High Level Corporate Dialogue was convened on 5th February, 2014 as the curtain raiser to the 14th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS). The DSDS 2014 was be conducted under the broad rubric, 'Attaining Energy, Water and Food Security for All'. The High Level Corporate Dialogue was therefore be themed 'How will Businesses Lead India's Energy, Water and Food Security'. The Dialogue also deliberated towards a blueprint of actions that will help embed social and shared value in view of the new business paradigm for Indian companies. Over 200 delegates consisting of CEOs, CSOs, heads of multi/bi-lateral organizations and senior government representatives from across the globe came together to discuss corporate action towards the goal of attaining energy, water and food security for all. The High Level Corporate Dialogue was held on February 05, 2014, and was followed by the Regional Launch of the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) and a Reception hosted by SE4All and BP.

DSDS 2014 PARTNERS