The Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Conference on Materials for Sustainable Energy held under India’s G20 Presidency got  underway in Ranchi today.  21 foreign delegates from 16 G20 members, Invited guest countries and International organisations participated in the conference. About 40 Indian experts participated. The Conference is coordinated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), RIIG Chair , welcoming the G20 delegates and special invitees said that many G20 nations including India have enormous minerals and materials wealth that is required to be sustainably used for meeting our energy requirements. The G20 delegates from Indonesia and Brazil, the other two troika countries, also reiterated the importance of the conference in their opening remarks.

Welcoming the delegates and invitees, Dr Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and DG, CSIR said that the theme of the G20 under India’s Presidency, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, in a way, highlights the need for the entire world to come together and focus on sustainable energy so that we can have one global future with net zero emissions. She called upon the G20 nations to join hands to research and develop technological solutions in the areas of sustainable energy storage, distribution and management.

Various facets of ‘Materials for Sustainable Energy’ were discussed under three sessions, viz., (i) 21st Century Challenges Related to Energy Materials & Devices, (ii) Solar Energy Utilisation and Photovoltaic Technology, and (iii) Materials and Processes for Green Energy. 

The delegates discussed and agreed to jointly work on solving the energy material challenges collectively to achieve carbon emission net-zero goals for environmental protection and sustainability.  

Following this  Conference on ‘Materials for Sustainable Energy’ in Ranchi, three more RIIG events will be held in Dibrugarh (Assam), Dharamshala (HP) and Diu on the themes ‘Circular-bio-economy’, ‘Eco-Innovations for Energy Transition’ and ‘Scientific Challenges and Opportunities towards Achieving a Sustainable Blue Economy’ respectively.