33
NEW DELHI: At a pivotal moment in human history, where climate change, the energy transition and technological revolutions reshape societies, experts at the NXT conclave 2026 debated whether sustainability will define the next global order.
Professor Prof. Xufeng Zhu, Dean of the School of Public Policy at Tsinghua University, highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence in driving sustainable development. “AI can improve efficiency across industries, government operations, and municipal governance. It can help reduce waste, monitor emissions more accurately, and even address the demographic challenges posed by aging societies,” he said. Zhu cautioned, however, that AI also carries environmental costs. “Developing and running AI models consume enormous energy and create electronic waste. We must calculate the balance carefully.”
Corporate responsibility emerged as another central theme. Prof. Arvind Mahajan, Regents Professor, Texas A&M University presented empirical research showing that companies ignoring environmental and social governance standards face financial repercussions. “Our research shows that when companies pollute or violate ESG standards, their return on assets declines, stock prices drop, and sales consistently fall,” he said.
Meekail Ahmed Nasym, Member of Parliament, Maldives stressed that developed nations must support developing countries with technology and resources. “At the end of the day, the conscience of citizens in developed democracies needs to be stirred. They must elect leaders who recognize the urgency of the climate crisis,” he said. Additionally, India’s progress in renewable energy was praised as a model for balancing growth and sustainability. Former Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Eric Solheim lauded India’s rapid expansion in renewables. “The country has rapidly expanded its renewable energy capacity and has become the world’s third-largest producer of renewable power, with expectations that it could soon surpass the United States and rank second globally after China,” he said, highlighting projects by Greenko Group in Andhra Pradesh and the Adani Group in Gujarat.
The conclave also followed with reflections on leadership education. Mahajan urged, “We must teach young people the value of conservation and frugality in energy and resource use from an early age.” Zhu added, “The next generation must understand technology deeply. Technological revolutions have historically driven prosperity; they must learn to harness the next wave for society and the planet.”
The discussions underscored a growing consensus: informed policy, corporate responsibility, and technological innovation will determine whether sustainability becomes the defining metric of global influence in the decades ahead.
And focus on value addition and sustainable development through environmentally responsible technologies. Durante Bergman, Member of the National Assembly of South Africa, pointed to Africa’s rich marine resources and the economic opportunities they offer.
However, he warned that the continent has long faced exploitation where resources were extracted without fair economic returns. Bergman stressed the need for stronger international collaboration to convert discussions into practical economic outcomes.
He also noted that environmental protection must be balanced with human development, arguing that communities facing hunger and poverty cannot be expected to wait for decades for climate solutions. Bergman’s remarks highlighted the tension between immediate economic needs and long-term environmental goals, a theme that resonated throughout the session.