RELEASE: Responsible Indian businesses track and manage their own greenhouse gas emissions

December 02, 2014
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For interviews please contact:

Vivek P. Adhia, Senior Associate, WRI India, +91 9820290980, vivek.adhia@wri-india.org

Ms Zainab Naeem, TERI, Communications Research Associate, +91- 8800286575, zainab.naeem@teri.res.in

Samuel Sunder Singh, Executive Officer, CII Godrej GBC, +91 9866661680, Samuel.Sunder@cii.in

India GHG Program: WRI India, TERI and CII are managing 10% of the country’s industrial emissions 

The unique initiative has an active membership of about 30 top companies

MUMBAI (DECEMBER 1, 2014) – Key Indian businesses have started tracking and managing their greenhouse gas emissions under a voluntary programme facilitated by WRI India, TERI and CII. With the Aditya Birla Group of Companies coming on board most recently, the programme, known as the India GHG Program, can now claim to be tracking and managing about 268 MT of carbon emissions i.e., well over 10% of the entire countries industrial emissions.

Launched in July 2013, the programme has an active membership of 30 companies ranging from textiles to telecom, automobiles to aviation, and cement to services. Some of the key companies currently on board include the Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra Group, Infosys, ITC Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited, Jet Airways (India) Limited, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Ford India Private Limited and Yes Bank, to name a few. These companies have expressed commitment to actively participate in efforts such as conducting a GHG inventory of business operations, mapping of the supply chain, and investments in efficiency improvements that would yield quick paybacks and generally correlate to improved overall operations. 

“The COP 20 in Lima presents us with an incredible opportunity to showcase what countries like India are already doing to cut carbon emissions. We want more responsible businesses to join this initiative so that together we can sustain a healthy environment – the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being,” says Nitin Pandit, CEO, WRI India.

The India GHG Program provides a globally acceptable processes/tool for corporates to measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions. It gives Indian businesses the tools and technical know-how to measure their emissions, identify reduction opportunities, establish short and long-term reduction goals, and, track their progress based on the GHG Protocol – the most widely used emissions accounting and reporting standard in the world. 

Mr Dipankar Sanyal, CEO, TERI-BCSD, says: “Business need to support our government to establish India’s position at the negotiation table at COP 21 in Paris 2015.  Increasingly, Indian businesses working with India GHG Programme now understand the business case of mitigation and adaptation measures for business continuity and sustainability.  We are happy Indian business houses are supportive and committed to contain and reduce GHG emissions in the country and look forward to more companies joining the programme.”

The India GHG Program aims to achieve the following:

  • Measurement and management of GHG emissions become a standard practice, in the pathway towards a more competitive, profitable and sustainable business environment.
  • Business sector is adequately engaged with the policymakers, supporting the overall progress and advancement towards national goals.
  • Availability of adequately trained and certified pool of GHG practitioners, GHG measurement and management professionals.

“Our target is to replicate the success India has had with the green building movement with the India GHG program. We wish to see more Indian companies measure and manage their emissions. The COP 20 provides an opportunity for us to learn from the carbon management strategies from across the globe and scale-up the India GHG Program ” says S Raghupathy, Executive Director, CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre.

To find out more about the India GHG Program visit: http://www.indiaghgp.org

The GHG protocol provides the foundation for sustainable climate strategies and more efficient, resilient and profitable organisations. See www.ghgprotocol.org

Notes for Editors:

  • The twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP20) will take place in Lima, Peru, from 1- 12 December. Given the increasing impacts of global warming on health and livelihoods, these United Nations climate negotiations are of great significance. National leaders are expected to advance towards an international agreement on climate change to be signed off in Paris next year. COP 20 will see a continuation of the United Nations Climate Summit held earlier this year.
  • As India continues to experience changing rainfall patterns, heat waves, coastal flooding, there is an increasing need to mitigate and adapt. A recent study by the World Bank estimates that developing countries like India will need close to $100 billion a year through 2050 to meet current and future adaptation needs. Currently, India’s spending is approximately $4.4 billion. Another study by the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) states that climate change has already directly impacted more than 27 percent of India’s total geographical area.
  • India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is one of the strongest responses to climate change by any developing country. India has already achieved emissions intensity reductions of 17.6 percent between 1990 and 2005 and has committed to reducing its emissions intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020 from a 2005 baseline.
  • Several regulatory and policy measures have also been put in place, for example, the Perform Achieve Trade (PAT) Scheme, expected to leverage roughly $5.4 billion in efficiency investments, regulated carbon dioxide emissions in the telecom and aviation sectors, and overall corporate responsibility in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Indian businesses will continue to play a significant role in a long-term sustained action on climate change, and it is important for them to have the right tools and opportunities to comply with regulations and implement operational changes.

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WRI India

WRI India is a research organisation with experts and staff who work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain a healthy environment—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being. We envision an equitable and prosperous planet driven by the wise management of natural resources. We aspire to create a world where the actions of government, business, and communities combine to eliminate poverty and sustain the natural environment for all people. WRI India works on a unique three-fold approach highlighted below:

Count It: We start with data. We conduct independent research and draw on the latest technology to develop new insights and recommendations. Our rigorous analysis identifies risks, unveils opportunities, and informs smart strategies.

Change It: We use our research to influence government policies, business strategies and civil society action. We test projects with communities, companies, and government agencies to build a strong evidence base. Then, we work with partners to deliver change on the ground that alleviates poverty and strengthens society. We hold ourselves accountable to ensure our outcomes will be bold and enduring.

Scale It: We don’t think small. Once tested, we work with partners to adopt and expand our efforts regionally and globally.  We engage with decision makers to carry out our ideas and elevate our impact. We measure success through government and business actions that improve peoples’ lives and sustain a healthy environment.

www.wri-india.org

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

From microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state—no sphere of human endeavor is unfamiliar to TERI. Headed by world-renowned economist and Head of the Nobel Prize winning UN Climate panel, Dr. R K Pachauri, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. To engage with the Indian corporate sector, TERI set up TERI-BCSD (Business Council for Sustainable Development), a group of motivated corporate organizations, observing and supporting the aim of sustainable development for India’s economy

www.teriin.org/index.php

CII

CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and managed organization playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Founded over 118 years ago, India’s premier business association has over 7100 members including SMEs and MNCs.  Extending its agenda beyond business, CII assists industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programs – along with partnerships with civil society organizations to carry forward integrated and inclusive development. 

http://www.greenbusinesscentre.com/site/ciigbc/aboutus.jsp

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