Startups to giants: India rides the AI wave to sustainability
A striking 64% of Indian companies are now actively deploying AI to boost the impact of their sustainability efforts — the highest proportion among surveyed countries, according to IBM's 2024 sustainability readiness study. This isn't just a sign of technological enthusiasm, but of a maturing mindset that places environmental responsibility at the heart of corporate strategy.
India's journey is as much about economic transformation as it is about ecological conscience.
In 2022–23, the digital economy accounted for nearly 12% of the national income, underlining the country's success in harnessing tech for green growth.
Take Infosys, for instance. The IT giant achieved carbon neutrality in 2020 — well ahead of global targets — by using AI and digital tools to drive energy efficiency, adopt renewables, and run offset projects that also benefit rural communities. The company was also the first Indian firm to join the RE100 initiative, committing to 100% renewable electricity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
But it's not just industry titans making waves. India's climate-tech ecosystem now boasts over 800 operational start-ups, which have collectively raised more than $3.6 billion between 2014 and 2024.
Among them is Alt Carbon, a venture leading the charge in carbon removal technologies. The company combines geochemical innovation, environmental data platforms, and scientific validation to sequester CO 2 through enhanced rock weathering and soil improvement on farmland.
With its cutting-edge platform 'Atlas', Alt Carbon can monitor soil chemistry, water dynamics, and ecosystem health at high resolution, and aims to remove 5 million metric tons of CO 2 by 2030.
AI and other emerging technologies like IoT (internet of things), 5G, and blockchain are transforming how Indian enterprises think about sustainability. From resource-efficient smart grids to traceable, ethical supply chains and real-time emissions monitoring, digital tools are offering tangible solutions to previously intractable problems.
This momentum is also evident in platforms such as EY's ESG Compass, which supports businesses in navigating ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) goals through data automation, risk analytics, and benchmarking tools. Such solutions are helping organisations make more informed, sustainable decisions while increasing transparency for stakeholders.
Yet, as PM Narendra Modi recently reminded the world at the AI Action Summit 2025, sustainable AI must not merely be powered by clean energy, but also be efficient by design—light on data, lean on compute power, and accessible to the broader developer community.
'After all,' he said, 'the human brain can compose poetry and design spaceships while using less power than most light bulbs.'
Indeed, while AI tools are proving their worth, there are pressing concerns that must be addressed — particularly around data privacy, interoperability, and ethical design. Most current sustainability-driven AI tools focus on energy emissions during training, often ignoring emissions during the deployment and inference phases.
Moreover, many are tailored for highly skilled developers, limiting access for users relying on APIs or nocode platforms.
As The Times of India Social Impact Summit approaches, the conversation is expected to pivot around these very themes: how to scale tech-enabled ESG and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts, ensure inclusive adoption, and drive measurable impact.
With diverse stakeholders converging, the summit presented by Malabar Gold & Diamonds — Ernst & Young is knowledge partner — aims to serve as a crucible for collaboration and future-ready sustainability solutions. It is being held on July 11 and 12, 2025, in Mumbai.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business Standard
NDB mandate must focus on agility, tech and sustainable growth: Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said in today's fast changing world, the mandate for New Development Bank (NDB) must be renewed with focus on greater agility, technological advancement and efficiency. Observing that NDB has played an important role in reshaping the financial landscape for the global South, she said, it has approved more than 100 projects, and it has approved more than USD 35 billion in financing across member countries, including key Indian initiatives like the metro rail, renewable energy and water management. NDB is not just a source of capital, it is a platform for shaping a more equitable and responsive global financial architecture, she said during the NDB Governors Seminar on the theme 'Challenges for Financing Sustainable Development for the Global South' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "In today's fast changing world, its mandate must be renewed. The NDB's mandate must be renewed with focus on greater agility, technological advancement and efficiency, efficiency in an enhanced way. So in conclusion, I would like to say financing sustainable development in the global south isn't just about raising funds. "It's about building fairness. It's about building trust, and it's building leadership. India, with its dual role as a leading emerging economy and a global influencer, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, not just for itself, but for all those who share its aspirations," she said. Sitharaman underlined the need for decisive collective action by the global South to address multiple uncertainties arising from fiscal constraints, climate change, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. Sitharaman highlighted that this deters long-term investment and delays critical progress in areas like renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure. Stressing that India stands at a unique crossroads, she said, "the aspirations of a billion people converge with the imperatives of a fast-changing planet. And in this moment, policy will determine pace. India has demonstrated how scale and speed can go hand-in-hand." Through transformative policy initiatives like UPI, Aadhaar and Jan Dhan, India has driven financial inclusion even to the last-mile, she said. India's policy ecosystem has been further strengthened by programmes such as the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the National Green Hydrogen Mission and installation of over 220 GW of renewable energy capacity to accelerate clean energy transition, she said, adding, these efforts are complemented by a commitment to macroeconomic stability. "As we strive towards the 2030 agenda, the financing gap for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries has widened to over USD 4.2 trillion annually post-pandemic, reflecting the widening gap between ambition and reality," she said.
The Hindu
9 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Army hosts curtain-raiser for Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium in Delhi
The Indian Army held a curtain-raiser event on Friday (July 4, 2025) for the upcoming Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event formally launched preparations for the main symposium scheduled to be held on September 22–23. Themed 'Vivek va Anusandhan se Vijay', the initiative aims to deepen collaboration between the Armed Forces and academia for the development of cutting-edge indigenous technologies. Powering Indigenous Defence Innovation The Indian Army, in coordination with Indian Navy & Indian Air Force, held a Curtain Raiser for the Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium at Manekshaw Centre #NewDelhi with the Theme 'Vivek va Anusandhan se Vijay'. The main event to be… — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 4, 2025 The primary objective of the symposium is to develop an integrated perspective for creating a synergised services–academia research and development ecosystem. It seeks to identify and harness the scientific potential within academic institutions to meet the niche technological needs of the Indian armed forces, thereby contributing to long-term self-reliance in defence capabilities. As part of the curtain-raiser, a dedicated portal was inaugurated to facilitate participation from academic institutions across the country. Also read: BrahMos chief stresses tri-sector collaboration to equip Navy cadets for tech-driven warfare Submitted proposals and exhibits will be reviewed by subject matter experts from the respective defence services. Shortlisted entries will be invited for one-on-one discussions with services representatives and will be showcased during the exhibition segment of the symposium. The most promising innovations and proposals will be recognised and felicitated during the valedictory session. The Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium represents a key initiative towards narrowing down the gap between academic research and defence application. It reaffirms the armed forces' commitment to nurturing indigenous technological innovation in alignment with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The event was conducted in coordination with the Integrated Defence Staff, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
ED arrests Delhi man in ₹903 crore Chinese app fraud case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested one of the alleged masterminds of a Chinese app investment fraud case and conducted searches on five premises in Delhi on Friday (July 4, 2025). The accused, identified as Rohit Vij, was arrested as part of the probe into a money laundering charge, based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Hyderabad police in 2022. It was alleged that certain Chinese individuals, in conspiracy with some Indian nationals, defrauded people on the false promise of phenomenal returns on investments through their app named 'Loxam', claiming that it was related to a reputed French multinational group of the same name. 'The investigation revealed that the tainted money was collected in the bank account of a shell entity, Xindai Technologies Private Limited, formed in the name of an Indian person, on the instructions of a Chinese national named Mr. Jack, who took the Internet Banking credentials and routed the funds through 38 mule accounts,' the agency said. The funds were subsequently converted into foreign currencies allegedly with the help of Mr. Vij and his associates through Delhi-based shell money changer entities – Ranjan Money Corp and KDS Forex – controlled by them. 'The tainted amount was converted into foreign currencies, mostly in U.S. dollar & UAE (United Arab Emirates) dirham and provided it to the Chinese perpetrators through 'hawala' channels,' the probe agency said. According to the ED, ₹171.47 crore was laundered through Xindai Technologies. 'However, analysis of bank accounts of Ranjan Money Corp and KDS Forex showed that within a period of seven months, these entities, under the control and operation of Mr. Vij, have converted ₹903 crore of similar tainted money,' said the ED. Mr. Vij has been taken into a 5-day ED custody for recording of his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
