As part of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations, XLRI - Xavier School of Management, one of the premier business schools, hosted its first International Finance Conference. This event, titled "Climate Change and Energy Transition: The Role of Green Finance in Sustainable Development," focused on the critical intersections of finance, climate change, and sustainability.
The conference attracted notable academicians, industry leaders, policy-makers, and research scholars, facilitating thought-provoking discussions on how the financial world can drive a greener, more sustainable society. Research papers were presented by scholars from prestigious institutes in India and abroad, offering valuable insights into climate risk mitigation and green finance's role in sustainable development.
Professor A.K. Banerjee, Chair of the Conference, set the tone in his inaugural speech, urging a stronger partnership between academia and industry to address climate risk. He highlighted the vital role that such collaborations play in mitigating the effects of climate change through innovative financial strategies.
A major highlight of the event was the keynote address by Professor Sushanta Mallick from Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management, UK. His insights on ESG mandates, climate risk, and energy transitions were complemented by a panel discussion that brought together experts from policy and industry backgrounds. The panelists emphasized the need for corporate involvement in sustainability, suggesting that businesses are pivotal to achieving global climate goals.
One of the notable sessions was an editor’s meeting, which provided young scholars with critical guidance on navigating the dynamic world of academic publishing. Insights from seasoned editors offered valuable direction on the evolving trends in scholarly research and publishing.
The second day saw a deep dive into industry perspectives on green finance, including sessions on Sustainable Development, Industry 4.0, Project Funding, and Startup Initiatives. Industry leaders from Tata Steel, Deloitte, IDFC First Bank, and Societe Generale shared their views on emerging practices aimed at reducing carbon footprints while maintaining economic growth. These discussions underscored the growing importance of sustainable project financing in industries worldwide.
The conference concluded with a valedictory session, where the best research papers were recognized and awarded. It was a fitting close to an event that not only celebrated XLRI's legacy of academic excellence but also reinforced its commitment to fostering dialogue on the role of finance in combating climate change.
