New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Green entrepreneurship will become the defining driver of the economy of the future, with sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, green fuels and circular economy creating large-scale employment opportunities for the youth, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.
Addressing the valedictory session of a two-day national conference titled “Environmental Sustainability in the 21st Century: Science, Society and Solutions” held at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Singh emphasised the need to adopt emerging technologies and renewable energy sources.
The minister said the coming years will witness expansion of green jobs across solar manufacturing, battery production, grid management and biofuels. “The transition will not only generate jobs but also accelerate India’s shift towards sustainable and low-carbon growth.” He highlighted the importance of electric vehicles, biofuels, ocean and nuclear energy in driving India’s green transition, adding that the country has the potential to become a global leader in sustainable development.
Referring to India’s growing green ecosystem, Singh said initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by an outlay of more than Rs 19,000 crore, are laying the foundation for clean industrial transformation.
“Building a strong green economy is key to ensuring environmental sustainability,” Singh said, noting that India possesses one of the largest reserves of thorium, which could support its nuclear energy ambitions.
“The pace of technological change is such that solutions envisioned today may evolve rapidly, making it essential to innovate continuously,” Singh said.
For example, in the electric mobility space, conventional vehicles are being converted into electric ones, making sustainability both affordable and scalable, the minister added.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who also addressed the event through a video message, cautioned against the dangers of deforestation.
Manjhi warned that unchecked deforestation due to rapid urbanisation is leading to environmental degradation, including rising carbon dioxide levels and depletion of the ozone layer.
“These have led to reduced forest cover and rainfall, affecting crop production and resulting in disease, hunger and starvation that we have been experiencing since industrialisation, and posing a threat to not just human beings but also to flora and fauna around the world,” he said.
JMI Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif stressed the need for sustainable practices, encouraging students to adopt recycling and responsible resource use.
The conference, organised by the university’s Department of Environmental Science and supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, saw participation from delegates from 12 states and featured over 200 research papers and presentations on environmental sustainability.
The event aimed to foster dialogue among academicians, researchers, policymakers and industry experts on addressing pressing environmental challenges and shaping future policy. PTI AHD ALC ARB ARB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.