Page 3 - Shashwat - Restoring Green Economy

MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT,

GRIHA COUNCIL

he COVID-19 pandemic has sent apparent in recent years with the root causes
shockwaves throughout the world’s of climate change also identified as factors that
Tsociety and economies. The disease’s increase the risk of pandemics. In 2020, global
effects, as well as the means taken to combat carbon-dioxide emissions plummeted in the
it, have highlighted concerns about pandemic wake of COVID-19. While the pain of economic
preparedness and more broadly, development in disruption was felt around the world, the crash
the past, present and future. If we make better served as an eye-opener for climate-conscious
economic and environmental resiliency a central businesses - more voices are now calling for the
part of our recovery strategy, the coronavirus recovery to be based around sustainability and
pandemic can teach us a lot about how to deal for the need to use the new normal, we have
with climate change. been forced to define to account for the climate
emergency. A greener recovery can significantly
In the midst of this chaos, it’s easy to forget enhance the resilience of economies and societies
that only a few months ago, the argument in the face of severe recession and accelerating
about climate change, its socio-economic environmental challenges.
consequences, and the communal reaction it
necessitated was gaining traction. Sustainability I humbly acknowledge the unending support
was, indeed, rising on many public- and private- and trust of our valued partners and their
sector leaders’ agendas—until the unsustainable untethered confidence in GRIHA. Without any
became difficult to avoid. apprehension, I can proudly say that this progress
is the result of continuous soulful commitment
GRIHA Council believes that not only will of an exuberant team. Hence, as we move towards
climate action be critical in the coming decade, 2022, I know that GRIHA will continue to be a
but that investments in climate-resilient leader in building sustainability and persevere in
infrastructure and the transition to a lower- its mission with zeal to ensure sustainability and
carbon future will also result in significant near- restore a green economy.
term job creation, as well as increased economic
and environmental resiliency. Wishing everyone the best for the forthcoming
year, 2022!
In this context, the theme of this year’s magazine
- “Restoring Green Economy” emphasises on
the importance of climate change. Climate is a
fantastically complex system; the negative impact
of anthropogenic activities has been exceedingly Dr Vibha Dhawan
Director General, TERI