Page 17 - Sept-2020-Issue

Interview

feel that a more formal assessment of areas where PSEs can work towards climate mitigation is
required. This would help in evaluating areas where carbon emission reduction can be achieved
and going a step further develop a platform for exchange and experience sharing amongst PSEs
to share and implement best practices. As discussed earlier, SCOPE and GIZ shall also engage
in training needs assessment of PSEs basis the capacity gap assessment. Through this we intend
to handhold the PSEs in developing processes and aligning the corporate strategies with climate
change goal. With time we also hope to foster collaborations amongst PSEs and other stakehold-
ers to achieve climate change mitigation without compromising on commercial prudence.

What are sCopes’ plans to leverage its international linkages for enhancing its
sustainability measures?

SCOPE believes in moving beyond boundaries to provide a competitive edge for PSEs. This is
all the more true in the present dynamics because the world is a global village and containing
oneself within boundaries would not give a fair advantage to anyone. At present, all international
organisations are focussed towards saving the planet and working towards this common agenda.
The need for global benchmarking is all the more relevant now as PSEs are also expanding their
horizons and making a global footprint. SCOPE is certainly open to leveraging its international
linkages for ensuring climate change mitigation wherever required and necessary. In line with
this, SCOPE has launched a series of sustainable efforts with its knowledge partner GIZ to for-
ward the efforts of PSEs towards climate change mitigation in a concerted way. Early this year, I
was invited to a workshop organised by the Center on Global Energy Policy Forum of Columbia
University in New York. This gave me an opportunity to share views and the work of Indian PSEs
with respect to climate change in a global forum. During the interactions, we agreed on engaging
Indian PSEs at global level for benchmarking and capacity building to adopt to new technology
for climate change mitigation.

How is SCOPE going to contribute in the recovery and stimulus packages? How
are the recovery measures being aligned to sustainability initiatives?

The pandemic has posed a new challenge to the world economy. PSEs being an integral part of
the Indian economy have been supplementing the efforts of the Government and contributing on
all fronts be it medical facilities, social well-being or monetary contributions to PM Relief Fund.
SCOPE has also been making efforts to contribute to support the needy during such a challeng-
ing time. Our employees have contributed a one day salary to the Prime Minister's CARES Fund.
Besides, we are continuing with our capacity building initiatives through digital medium which
have been well received across the country. We are continuously interfacing with the Government
and appropriate departments on policy issues in the economy while focussing on interacting on
PSEs and their concerns.

The underlying tone of the recovery measures is ‘Self-Reliance’ or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. This is
an opportunity for India in the present adverse situation and will ensure constructive measures
with respect to employment generation, entrepreneurship, developing the country into a manu-
facturing hub and penetrating health facilities. All this will ensure achieving of SDGs, of eradicat-
ing poverty, no hunger, good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, growing industry in-
novation and infrastructure, to name a few. So, the relief measures aim at meeting two objectives
with a single mission of a resilient and self-reliant India. As PSEs will continue to work towards
making the country self-reliant, SCOPE will continue to focus on sustainable, inclusive and green
growth.

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