New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, delivered the keynote address at the Special Ministerial Session of the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity, organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in New Delhi on Monday. Themed ‘Nature Positive Recycling’, the conference explored sustainable development and circularity in the automotive industry.
Yadav commended SIAM for addressing circularity as India’s automotive sector becomes the third-largest globally in passenger vehicle sales. Drawing inspiration from nature’s efficient recycling systems, he urged the industry to align growth with environmental sustainability. “Nobody recycles like Nature,” he said, encouraging the industry to emulate nature in managing waste.
Addressed the Inaugural Session of the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity organized by @siamindia at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Speaking on nature positive recycling, stated that nobody recycles likes nature. We can ever match the scale of production when… pic.twitter.com/NtVAbEOT19
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) January 20, 2025
Highlighting the importance of a circular economy, he outlined three key benefits: economic growth through reduced raw material reliance, environmental sustainability by minimising emissions, and social impact through green job creation. Yadav praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming waste into wealth.
Key policies discussed included the Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021), promoting BS-VI vehicles by replacing older ones, and the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Rules (effective from 2025), mandating responsible vehicle scrapping under Extended Producer Responsibility. He also noted the government’s efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs), with EV sales expected to constitute 35% of total sales by 2030, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes.
The Minister urged the industry to lead the transition to a circular economy by adopting recyclable designs, promoting sustainable dealership operations, and raising consumer awareness. He highlighted the automotive sector’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean energy, economic growth, and innovation.
Yadav concluded by unveiling SIAM’s strategy paper, Towards Circular Future in the Automobile Industry, and called for collective efforts to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.