Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has joined hands with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a New Delhi-based not-for profit think tank and policy institution, to promote green economic growth in the state through the Green Odisha Initiative.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Planning and Convergence Department and CEEW on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan. MD of IPICOL and IDCO Bhupendra Singh Poonia from Government of Odisha and Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW have signed the MoU.
The initiative will focus on scaling the green economy by promoting various green value chains, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting private capital and leveraging civil society support. Through this collaboration, CEEW will serve as a valuable knowledge partner, supporting the state in translating its vision into action by formalizing the ‘Green Odisha Initiative.’
On the occasion, Garg said, “This MoU represents our shared commitment to accelerating green economic growth in the State of Odisha. The P&C Department in collaboration with CEEW, seeks to formalize the Green Odisha Initiative to integrate and mainstream the green economy within the state’s development agenda. This collaborative effort has three pillars viz., Energy transition, Circular economy and bio-economy with twin objective of job creation and green growth. This decision has been a step towards shaping a future that nurtures economic prosperity and natural capital, simultaneously, propelling Odisha towards a resilient and sustainable future.”
Dr. Ghosh said, “We are committed to work integrating diverse green economic sectors including the energy transition, bio-economy, nature-based solutions, and circular economy focusing on forward-thinking approach of Government of Odisha for sustainable development. These sectors not only hold immense potential for creating green jobs but also promise resilient and inclusive economic prosperity. Through the Green Odisha Initiative, CEEW is excited to partner with the state in shaping a holistic green economy that benefits the people of Odisha now and in the future.”
Ahuja in his key note address said that based on the research and data collected from different departments of Odisha, CEEW, needs to be grounded at least 6 projects in the state within 3 months by using its unique and action oriented programmes,
Among others, Principal Secretary of Industries and MSME Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of H&UD and C&T department Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of SD&TE NBS Rajput , officials from P&C department, Abhishek Jain, Director, other functionaries of CEEW were present.