'Businesses, Governments Should Unite For Sustainable Future’

Moving towards a greener future involves adopting various effective trends and decisions aimed at reducing carbon footprints. Key strategies include transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes and promoting sustainable transportation options such as electric vehicles.

Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes and emission trading systems, encourages businesses to reduce emissions. Additionally, integrating advanced technologies in HVAC systems and adopting smart infrastructure solutions further contribute to energy conservation. Collaborative efforts across sectors, combined with supportive government policies, are essential to achieving significant and sustainable reductions in carbon emissions.

Anup Sharma, Head of Administration at Datamatics, said that focusing on environmental issues such as reducing India’s dependency on coal for over 50 per cent of its electricity, and its status as the third largest greenhouse gas emitter. Anupalso talked about need versus greed, stressing corporate leaders’ responsibility in managing resources sustainably.

Capt. Naveen Kumar, General Manager of Administration at Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, presented alarming data on global greenhouse gas emissions. Kumar detailed how Asia contributes over 50 per cent of these emissions, with China, the USA and the EU being the top emitters. He explained strategies like the carbon tax and emission trading systems as measures some countries adopt to control emissions.

Whereas, Col. Navinder Narang, Head of Infrastructure Facilities & ESG at ICICI Home Finance offered a different perspective. He discussed India’s historical sustainability practices rooted in ancient texts, contrasting them with the West’s industrialisation and market creation. He emphasisedthe challenges India faces in balancing economic development with sustainability, given its diverse ecosystems and regulatory challenges. He stressed the need for a unique ESG framework tailored to India’s specific needs.

R Bagath Singh, Head of Product Management at Blue Star, highlighted the significant energy consumption of HVAC systems in commercial buildings, which can account for 40-50 per cent of total power usage. He discussed advancements in HVAC technology aimed at reducing power consumption by 20-30 per cent compared to five years ago. He emphasisedthe role of the industry and government regulations in achieving these improvements, contributing to the country’s decarbonisation goals.

Four-pillar strategy: carbon footprint mitigation, water conservation, waste reduction and biodiversity conservation highlighted by Amar Shetye, Global Operations Head at Tata Consultancy Services, to save the planet.

He described various measures, such as using VFDs and VRFs in HVAC systems, sensor-based lighting, and promoting electric vehicles among employees.

Sangeet Kumar Sanu

BW Reporters Sangeet Kumar Sanu as a Correspondent reports on Defence, Space and Foreign Affairs for BW since 2022.