HYDERABAD: Telangana is facing the challenge of balancing energy production and consumption while reducing emissions, IT & Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said on Thursday.
He pointed out that the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies was increasing the energy demand, particularly in data centres that require high power for faster processing. This, he said, called for the production of green and carbon-free energy.
Sridhar Babu was speaking at the inauguration of GreenCo Summit 2025, organised by the CII GreenCo Council, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). The two-day summit, held on the theme “Beyond Commitments: Scaling Net Zero Action for 2030 and Beyond,” brought together over 1,000 delegates from India and abroad to discuss industrial sustainability and green innovation.
The summit provided a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers and environmental professionals to exchange ideas and discuss key themes such as net-zero strategies, decarbonisation pathways, ESG integration and circular economy practices. More than 100 speakers who spoke on these topics underscored the role of Indian industry in achieving climate goals.
Sridhar Babu said the state government was framing policies with future generations in mind, but stressed that collective effort from industries and startups is essential for driving environmental change.
Commenting on the country’s changing weather patterns, he said the climate crisis was no longer a distant threat but a present challenge. “We are experiencing extreme weather, such as unseasonal rains in summer and unusual heat in December. These are clear warnings of the challenges ahead,” he pointed out.
Stress on water resources
The minister also noted the stress on India’s water resources, stating that the country supports 18% of the world’s population with only 4% of global freshwater resources. India, he pointed out, was the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide but has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and meeting 50% of its energy needs from renewables by 2030, as part of the Paris Agreement.
The minister said Telangana was committed to creating a green industrial ecosystem and promoting clean technology and resource efficiency through progressive policies. He suggested that the Pollution Control Board and the CII Green Business Centre collaborate to encourage more companies to adopt the GreenCo rating.
The inaugural session was also attended by CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre chairman Jamshyd N Godrej, CII vice-president Suchitra K Ella, GreenCo Summit chairman Pradeep Bhargava, CII Telangana chairman R Sivaprasad Reddy and others.
The event featured the launch of the Cleantech Innovation Programme to support startups working on sustainable technologies. Over 60 companies received the GreenCo Rating Platinum Awards for excellence in environmental performance and green manufacturing. More than 50 stalls showcased products and technologies.