Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) jointly conceptualized and organized the International Conference : Striking the Right Balance – Law & Sustainable Development in India’s Energy Economy on 7th & 8th July 2006 at New Delhi.

The concept of sustainable development implies integration of environmental issues with the imperatives of economic and social development in order to meet the immediate needs of the present without jeopardizing the aspirations of the future. The need for sustainable development has arisen due to effects of the indiscriminate use of the available natural resources.

Nations collectively have been striving to spot the key issues which need to be identified and addressed for moving towards sustainable development. The challenges which most nations face is that the contemporary energy laws have not had the occasion to integrate the principles of sustainability as they have evolved incrementally over time being more reactive to short term goals and not sensitive to issues such as maximizing efficiency, respecting ecology and ensuring equity amongst users.

The Indian economy is on a high growth path. To actualize this potential in the competitive global economy, the energy economy must grow and evolve to meet the challenge without compromising the energy security and long term objectives of sustainable development for short term goals.

India faces formidable challenges in meeting its burgeoning energy demands. Energy sector in India has evolved under the strong lead provided by the public sector but the urge to bridge the demand supply gap has resulted in issues such as environment, energy security, availability and efficiency taking a backseat. It is imperative for the policy makers to bring a paradigm shift in their approach so as to bridge the immediate demand supply gap and to secure resources for the future.

It is thus necessary for the Energy Economy to evolve a blueprint where the emergent needs have to be balanced with the long term objectives of sustainable development.

The conference aimed to create awareness on critical issues like impact of regulatory institutions, role of law and judiciary, energy security and build a consensus on the preferred approach to sustainable development in India’s energy economy.

Letter dated 16.04.2009 SILF Khushal Cricket Cup 2009