At the forefront of championing sustainable practices, Anil Bhatia, Managing Director and Vice President at Emerson India, plays a pivotal role in steering the organization toward dynamic and environmentally conscious business strategies. His expertise in carbonization initiatives highlights a commitment to addressing the escalating climate crisis. In a recent interview with ET Edge Insights, Anil shares his perceptions on India’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
India is actively advancing towards the ambitious target of achieving a complete emissions-free status by 2070. However, in this transition we’re in a bit of a bind; with increasing emissions, limited funding, and escalating climate issues. How do you envision realizing this goal within the established deadlines? What challenges do you identify in this situation?
Progress may be gradual, but considering the formidable task at hand, and the myriad challenges starting with the complexity of India’s energy mix, given its vast geography and massive population, and more so the heavy reliance on coal poses a substantial challenge. The transition to renewables and alternative resources presents its own set of hurdles, requiring significant infrastructure development, substantial investments, and the assurance of energy security.
The focus must extend beyond the mere development of renewable energy infrastructure to establishing a robust system ensuring energy security. Another critical aspect is the storage challenge associated with the intermittency of renewable energy sources. As we shift towards alternative energy, there’s a need for substantial investment in storage solutions. The financial constraints are undeniable, making it imperative for both the private and government sectors to collaborate and commit to the necessary funding. Collaborative efforts involving the government, private sectors, and technological innovations are deemed crucial. Additionally, strategic investments and policies incentivizing the adoption of clean energy will play a pivotal role.
While there’s no other choice but to move forward, the challenge remains significant. India is making commendable progress, but there’s still work to be done on the policy front. Despite the emergence of numerous policies, success hinges on having the right regulations and policies in place, free from bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, the workforce transition is a continuous process, necessitating regular upskilling efforts.
And what opportunities do you believe are present?
However, within these challenges, numerous opportunities arise. The shift to new energy sources is not just an option; it’s a necessity. This transition will create jobs and attract investments in renewables and alternative sources, including hydrogen. India has the potential to play a pivotal role in technological innovations in the green energy space. With the ongoing geopolitical shifts, India could position itself as a hub of innovation and assume a global leadership role.
Moreover, economic diversification is on the horizon as India transitions to new energies. This move will reduce vulnerability to fossil price fluctuations, presenting significant opportunities for economic growth, technological advancements, and global leadership in the fight against climate change.
An important aspect to consider is the contribution of the private sector. How is it actively playing a role?
I believe companies such as Emerson and the broader private sector will wield significant influence. At Emerson, our commitment starts with the “greening of Emerson,” where we prioritize eco-friendly practices in both our new and existing facilities. Notably, our substantial investments in Pune and Chennai involve state-of-the-art manufacturing plants aligned with the latest green technologies.
Our expertise in core energy positions us to collaborate with various partners in India as we collectively strive to achieve sustainable goals. Through our solutions and technology, we aim to not just support but expedite the journey towards energy transition. I am a firm believer that the integration of new technologies, such as Emerson’s data monitoring solutions, will not only support but accelerate decision-making processes, which I anticipate will increasingly be driven by data.
Key areas of focus for us include supply chain sustainability, fostering collaboration and partnerships, and, importantly, employee engagement. I emphasize the crucial role of employees in this transformative journey. For organizations to meet their sustainability objectives, the private sector must ensure that employees are well-informed and empowered to make decisions that contribute to a sustainable environment.
When discussing the private sector, the conversation revolves around the present facilities, with policies and compliances playing a pivotal role. What are your insights on this, particularly within the context of the Indian eco-system?
Whether manifested as regulations or incentives, these policies have proven highly impactful in advancing sustainability and decarbonization efforts. I would say the government has made commendable strides in introducing new policies at a reasonable pace, although there is always room for quicker implementation. Several beneficial policies, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Renewable Purchase Obligations, and the Performance Achievement Trade (PAT) scheme launched by the ministry, have significantly contributed to our journey. Additionally, indirect initiatives like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), mandating a 2% investment, proves to be favourable as companies like ours channel these funds into sustainable areas.
However, it’s essential not to overlook a critical aspect—the existing plants and ecosystems that currently contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Stringent compliances and increased automation for measuring and predicting emissions in this sector are crucial. Despite the emphasis on transitioning to new energy sources, the importance of addressing emissions from existing refining and power plants cannot be understated; they are here to stay.
How can the integration of stringent compliances and enhanced automation for measuring and predicting emissions in existing plants and ecosystems contribute to effectively addressing greenhouse gas emissions, considering the significance of these established facilities?
This emphasizes the importance of not overlooking a vital aspect in discussions about environmental sustainability—the current contribution of plants and ecosystems to greenhouse gas emissions and highlights the need for robust compliance measures and sophisticated automation technologies to precisely measure and predict emission. Recognizing the enduring relevance of existing refining and power plants is crucial, despite the predominant focus on transitioning to new energy sources.
In essence, the need for a comprehensive approach that recognizes the continued impact of established facilities on emissions. While the push for transitioning to cleaner energy is essential, addressing and mitigating the environmental footprint of existing plants remains a critical component of any effective strategy. The call for stringent compliances and advanced automation reflects a commitment to improving measurement accuracy and predicting emissions trends, ensuring a more informed and targeted approach to environmental stewardship in the industrial sector.
Finally, which collaborative approaches and partnerships do you believe have the potential to accelerate India’s shift towards a more sustainable economy?
As an American multinational conducting operations in India, we see ourselves as a fusion of global and local identities. Functioning as a local entity in India, our proficiency in collaborating with an American company creates opens up numerous possibilities for forming alliances. I believe that effective collaboration between the private technology sector and global entities will be instrumental in propelling us into the next phase of our journey. It’s crucial to avoid reinventing the wheel; rather, we should leverage proven solutions from across the globe to expedite results. While numerous partnerships are already established, I believe there is still considerable untapped potential for further advancements.
