Bhubaneswar: The Planning and Convergence (P&C) Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) to advance green economic growth through the ‘Green Odisha Initiative.’
The MoU was signed at Lokseva Bhavan on Monday in the presence of Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, and Development Commissioner, Anu Garg. Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Managing Director of IPICOL and IDCO, represented the Odisha government, while Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, signed on behalf of the council.
The Green Odisha Initiative aims to integrate sustainable practices into the state’s development agenda by focusing on energy transition, the circular economy, and the bioeconomy. These efforts will foster innovation, attract private investments, and promote civil society participation, creating a robust green value chain.
Highlighting the MoU’s significance, Development Commissioner Anu Garg stated, “This collaboration seeks to formalize the Green Odisha Initiative, aligning green growth with economic prosperity and job creation. The three pillars of this initiative—energy transition, circular economy, and bioeconomy—will shape Odisha’s sustainable future while nurturing natural capital.”
Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, emphasized the initiative’s forward-looking approach. “Through this partnership, we will integrate green economic sectors such as the energy transition, bioeconomy, nature-based solutions, and circular economy. These sectors not only hold the potential for significant job creation but also ensure inclusive and resilient economic prosperity,” he said.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja set an ambitious target for the initiative, urging the grounding of at least six projects within three months. “The CEEW team, using data and research from various state departments, should ensure these projects are action-oriented and impactful,” he noted during his keynote address.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Principal Secretaries Hemant Sharma (Industries and MSME), Usha Padhee (H&UD and Commerce & Transport), and NBS Rajput (Skill Development & Technical Education). Abhishek Jain, Director of CEEW, along with other officials, also participated in discussions on the roadmap for implementing the Green Odisha Initiative.
The initiative is expected to make Odisha a leader in sustainable development, aligning environmental conservation with economic progress.
