India Inc rises to act for Net Zero Effect, planet protection and accelerate switching over toEVs.
MUMBAI, June 5 (The CONNECT) – Zypp Electric, India’s leading tech-enabled EV-as-a-service platform, has announced the launch of its Green’o’Meter initiative on World Environment Day, with the ambitious goal of planting one million trees by 2030.
This initiative aligns with Zypp Electric’s mission of achieving zero emissions and making India carbon-free by utilising an ecosystem of electric vehicles and EV-based technology for sustainable and emission-free last-mile logistics.
The Green’o’Meter initiative will prominently feature the efforts of Zypp Electric and its partners in reducing emissions, displayed through a ticker on the Zypp Electric website. This ticker will show the carbon savings, translated into the number of trees planted.
Zypp Electric will plant a tree for every 1,00,000th order delivered, in the name of the customer who received the delivery. Zypp Electric employees will also be recognised by planting trees in their names as a form of gratification.
Akash Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Zypp Electric, said the company does 50 lakh deliveries per month with a consistent growth month on month. “As we scale, the aim of planting 1 million trees by 2030, is to make a significant effort in combating climate change and preserving our environment for future generations. Check out the live Green-o-meter on www.zypp.app website today,” he said.
Vipul Gajera, CEO of Grow-Trees, said, the Trees for Tigers project goes beyond planting. It will restore the critical Sundarbans mangroves, vital for carbon capture, revitalize tiger habitat and create employment for local communities, he said.
Here are some more thoughts on the World Environment Day:
Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director – Habitat for Humanity India: “As we celebrate World Environment Day on 5th June, it is imperative to reflect on our collective responsibility towards safeguarding our planet. At Habitat for Humanity India, we recognize that addressing climate change is crucial for building a sustainable future and ensuring that everyone has a decent place to live.
Climate change exacerbates housing challenges, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and unpredictable climate patterns threaten homes and livelihoods, pushing many into a cycle of poverty and displacement.
Housing can play an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. By prioritizing climate-resilient housing, we not only protect the environment but also empower communities to thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change. While we need to continue our efforts to mitigate climate change, we also need to promote adaptation practices among the communities.
As affordable housing remains one of the cornerstones for inclusive economic development, efforts must be directed towards minimizing the environmental impact of a home by building homes with environment friendly materials and promoting clean energy alternatives.
Sustainability must be the underlying theme as India is progressing towards becoming a developed economy by 2047 and emerging as a net-zero economy by 2070. At the same time, we also need to focus on inclusion to reach to the unreached, marginalized and people living in poor housing conditions.
Suresh Kumar, Managing Director, Allcargo Terminals Limited: Allcargo resonates with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day of land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience. As part of our Maitree initiative we had a goal of planting a million trees. Happy to share that we reached this milestone recently and have set a new goal of five million trees. We actively partner with communities in restoring lands, supporting livelihoods and contributing towards a greener future. Allcargo Group has set its sight on achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and these efforts align with the company’s vision too.
Reducing carbon footprint is a priority for the logistics industry. We contribute to this goal by offering creative logistic solutions and promoting circular economy practices. We are committed to sustainable operations and actively collaborate with our customers and partners through various initiatives including deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and using alternative fuel sources.
Sooraj Balakrishnan, Associate Director and Head of Marketing, Acer India: Acer stands committed to addressing the urgent call to action presented by the climate crisis. We recognize that restoring ecosystems is paramount in mitigating climate change and enhancing human well-being. Our dedication to sustainability is evident in our recent achievement of reducing carbon emissions by 60% worldwide. Joining the RE100 initiative further solidifies our commitment to environmental stewardship alongside industry leaders. To transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035, we remain steadfast in our mission to foster a greener future. Our Vero line-up of PCs and other IT products which are made of recycled materials is a testament to this cause. On this World Environment Day, we reaffirm our dedication to making meaningful contributions toward a healthier planet for current and future generations.”
Amit Bajoria, Chief Finance Officer, Virtusa: On World Environment Day 2024, Virtusa reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, echoing this year’s theme of ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’ At Virtusa, we blend logic, creativity, and curiosity to sculpt a sustainable, just, and inclusive tomorrow. Our journey towards purpose-driven sustainability endeavours to foster a positive environmental and socio-economic impact, prioritizing the minimization of our ecological footprint and showcasing ethical maturity.
We are dedicated to engineering with purpose, catalyzing a sustainable future, nurturing equitable communities, and cultivating inclusive opportunities. By committing to set near-term and net-zero emission reduction targets, we strive to future-proof our stakeholders and take responsibility for our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint.
Smitha Shetty, Regional Director, APAC, Achilles Information Ltd.:
As we mark World Environment Day, let’s not just observe but act. This year’s focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience is a clarion call to heal the very ground beneath our feet. It is the foundation of our livelihoods, food systems, and ecosystems. It reminds us that we must urgently invest in building sustainable risk mitigation strategies. The fate of our planet, and indeed our own future, depends on it. Our planet’s health is our shared responsibility, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable future.
Radhika Choudary – Co-founder, Freyr Energy: As India transitions towards sustainable energy solutions, widespread rooftop solar adoption across the country is an important piece of the energy supply/demand mix. It will play a significant role in achieving ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2070. India successfully met a power demand as high as 250 GW last month. Renewable energy, including power generation from rooftop solar, helped meet this historically high energy demand. Consumers, especially industrial and commercial consumers, and homeowners are willing to make capital investments to contribute to the environment’s preservation. This adoption of rooftop solar by people in Tier 1-4 cities will go a long way in achieving environmental sustainability, economic security, and equitable power supply.
Satyendra Prasad Narala – Managing Director, Regency Ceramics: Adopting cool roof tiles is a simple yet powerful step towards sustainable living. By naturally insulating homes and reducing the reliance on heating and cooling systems, they contribute enormously to energy efficiency. Reduction of the “urban heat island effect” impacts heat stress levels positively. The construction sector bears a significant responsibility in creating sustainable alternatives, and the adoption of cool roof tiles is a prime example of this commitment. The sector must prioritize environmentally conscious practices. Fostering a built environment that supports and sustains our planet should be the solemn promise to our future generations.
Prem Kumar Vislawath – CEO and Co-Founder, Marut Drones:
The pressing global issue of deforestation becomes even more alarming when we consider the statistics. From 1990 to 2016, our planet lost a staggering 1.3 million square kilometers of forest cover, devastatingly losing 15 billion trees every year. In response to this environmental crisis, Seedcopter, India’s first aerial seeding solution, is set to combat deforestation and expedite reforestation efforts. This innovative technology combines the power of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and local community knowledge to address the challenges of large-scale afforestation, offering hope for our planet’s green future. With our Hara Bahara campaign, we aim to replant 1 billion trees by 2030, transforming 900 forests across India. Using our Seedcopter technology, we’ve already started seeding 10 acres in partnership with the UP government. The initiative restores landscapes but also empowers communities in 1,400 districts.
Ashish Pradhan – President, Siegwerk Asia: As we celebrate this World Environment Day, the urgency for businesses to adopt green practices and clean energy sources has never been greater. India is the 3rd largest consumer of energy in the world, and as India Inc. continues to expand, it is crucial that growth is supported by sustainable models. Aligned with this vision is ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,’ an ambitious goal to transform India while integrating various aspects of growth bolstered by environmental sustainability. Achieving this vision requires a collective effort from all sectors, with businesses playing a pivotal role.
The Indian government’s initiatives, such as the National Solar Mission and incentives for clean energy, underscore a robust commitment to a greener future. By aligning with these national efforts, we can significantly contribute to global sustainability goals.
Debadatta Chand, MD & CEO, launching Bank of Baroda’s plantation drive
BoB Earth Green Term deposits: Bank of Baroda’s offices across the country have adopted parks and gardens and have undertaken 498 plantation programmes. The Bank will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the garden, planting trees and flower beds and keeping the garden litter-free.
The Bank also conducted an awareness drive focused on the recently-launched BOB Earth Green Term Deposit Scheme, outlining its benefits for both depositors and the environment. BOB Earth Green Term Deposits offers interest rates of up to 7.15% p.a. and funds raised will be deployed towards financing eligible environment-friendly projects and sectors. In just two days, the Bank has opened over 4,000 accounts, with total deposits amounting to Rs 16.92 crore, Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said.
Tridhaatu Realty has unveiled Tridhaatu Morya at Chembur is designed with a commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
Govind Krishnan Muthukumar, Co-founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty, said, “Our commitment to minimizing environmental impact and maximizing energy efficiency reflects our dedication to the well-being of our residents and the planet.”
Tridhaatu Morya incorporates cutting-edge HVAC systems to significantly reduce energy consumption. The integration of smart technologies, such as programmable thermostats ensures optimal energy usage, providing residents with both comfort and efficiency. The project prominently features renewable energy sources, including solar panels, which contribute to a sustainable energy mix and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy.
