International Conference on Sustainable Circularity: Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI, addressed the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity, organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

• About: SIAM focuses on activities related to improvement of environment and ensuring safety and protection of automobile vehicle users and public at large that granted registration under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• About the Theme & Context: Conference on ‘Nature Positive Recycling’, alien to focus on sustainable development and circularity in the automotive sector.
• Government Policies Supporting Sustainability:

o Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021): Mandates fitness tests for old vehicles and promotes BS-VI-compliant replacements.

ü Projected to reduce 17% NOx and 11% PM2.5 emissions from trucks.

o End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Rules (2025): Effective April 1, 2025, ensuring EPR compliance and proper vehicle scrapping in registered facilities.

o Electric Vehicle (EV) Promotion: FAME & PLI schemes: Boost EV adoption, with sales expected to hit 35% by 2030, reducing 5 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

o Automotive Industry’s Role in SDGs: Contributing to SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 9 (Innovation & Infrastructure).

ü Transitioning to renewable energy to minimize EV battery charging impact.

• Industry Expectations: Lead the transition to circular economy through Recyclable designs, Sustainability in dealership operations, and Consumer awareness campaigns.
• Key Initiative & Afforestation Campaign: Participation in ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ to combat air pollution via afforestation.