World Earth Day 2023: Transition Towards Renewables is the Way to Go

World Earth Day is observed on April 22 of every year. The aim of the day is to promote sustainable living and increase awareness around environmental issues. This annual event brings an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting and preserving our environment.

The theme for World Earth Day 2023 is 'Invest in Our Planet', which is highlighted as the 53rd observance of this day. This current theme is a call for action for all of us to invest in sustaining a better future for our planet. The expansion of renewable energy sources and investment in the sector are few of the most immediate actions that can be taken to lower the carbon footprint and increase the sustainability quotient.

Earth Day is an annual celebration that honours the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect Earth’s natural resources for the generations to come. As the demand for renewable energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal is increasing, renewable energy is now a viable and feasible alternative for power generation.

This energy transition will be facilitated by technological innovation, notably in the renewable energy sector. Several new additions of installed renewable energy power capacity can be attributed to rapidly increasing competitiveness, particularly for solar photovoltaics (PV), wind power, electric vehicles, hybrid, and so on.

On this occasion, several Indian Industrialists and entrepreneurs have shared their thoughts and ideas with Team Energetica. So, here are some quotes and excerpts from the leading entrepreneurs:

Kishan Karunakaran, CEO of Buyofuel, says, "Every year, Earth Day serves as a great reminder of our responsibilities towards safeguarding the planet, and it also provides an opportunity to discuss innovative ideas and solutions to mitigate climate change which is getting serious every day. The Indian Government has already set a clear target before us which includes achieving 50% of our electricity requirements with renewable energy by 2030 and becoming a Net-Zero economy by 2070.  It is encouraging that  India is accelerating on its path of meeting its target of 20 pc ethanol blending. This move is set to greatly reduce fossil fuel dependence and bring additional income benefits for farmers by turning 'food producers' to 'fuel producers' along with proper waste management. While the government is actively guiding these efforts, it is crucial to encourage more collaborative efforts between public and private sectors, notably the startups which can come up with innovative solutions backed by technology to combat environment-related challenges. Today, cleantech startups are playing a vital role in the fight against climate change and are making significant advances in utilizing clean sources of energy like biofuels to reduce carbon footprint, lower dependency on fossil fuel imports, save costs and build a circular economy. The need, thus, is to promote and support innovative startups like Buyofuel working to protect the planet against potential hazards by lowering greenhouse gases emission, and conserving resources with innovative solutions and the latest technologies."

Swetha Ramdas, Sustainability Lead, Amazon India Operations, remarks “Amazon is committed to The Climate Pledge, our goal to become net-zero carbon by 2040—10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. In 2022, we grew our renewable energy capacity by 8.3 gigawatts (GW) through 133 new projects in 11 countries. This brings our total renewables portfolio to more than 20 GW and closer to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025—five years ahead of its original 2030 target. In India, over the past year alone, we announced six utility-scale renewable energy projects representing more than 920 MW of renewable energy capacity. We are well on our way to achieving our goal of having 10,000 EVs in India by 2025. We have already deployed EVs in our delivery fleet through our delivery service partners in more than 400 cities across India and continue to explore opportunities with OEMs and other zero tailpipe emission solution providers to have them in our fleet. We know customers want orders delivered in right-sized, easily recyclable packaging that makes sure the product arrives in great condition with minimal impact on the environment. One of our key priorities has been to eliminate the use of additional Amazon packaging altogether. 

We have expanded our packaging-free shipping initiative to more than 300 cities across the country, enabling customer orders to be shipped in their original packaging without any additional packaging, or significantly reduced packaging. In India, we have eliminated the use of single-use, thin film plastics in packaging originating from our fulfilment centres in 2020. We know that the path forward will not be linear, and will require investment, innovation, and collaboration - and we continue to be energized and laser focused on decarbonizing our operations and limiting climate change.”

Vishal Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), affirms, “Energy efficiency is not a choice, but a lifestyle that we all need to adopt. As part of Mission LiFE, our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi encourages every individual to adopt sustainable and energy conservation practices in order to successfully proceed towards a sustainable and energy secure future. In our efforts to mainstream energy efficiency, EESL has brought a variety of innovative and future-ready solutions that aim to enhance the energy effectiveness of lighting, buildings, industrial, agricultural, solar energy, and transport sectors. Through our initiatives and advanced technological solutions, we have reduced annual energy consumption by 57 billion units and lowered carbon emissions by 45.5 million tonnes annually. We are committed to enabling a conducive environment for energy efficiency. Switching to energy-efficient appliances, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and using more efficient modes of transportation can go a long way in conserving our ecological balance.”

In the words of Pallavee Dhaundiyal Panthry, Spokesperson and Chief Communication Advisor, World of Circular Economy (WOCE), “We emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis. Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. However, we firmly believe that we have the power to make a difference.

On this Earth Day, WOCE reaffirms our commitment to building a sustainable future for our planet. As a climate-friendly start-up based in India, we strongly embrace the philosophy of ‘What cannot be measured, cannot be managed’. We recognize that quantifying our impact on the environment is crucial in order to take meaningful action to reduce it. At WOCE, we are dedicated to empowering organisations, institutions, and individuals to take concrete steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. Through our innovative platform, we enable workforces to capture, calculate, and report their carbon footprint, as well as take necessary actions to reduce and offset it. We are proud to partner with EKI Energy Services, offering a one-stop sustainability solution to enterprises on their net zero journey. Together, we aim to create a culture of sustainability and responsibility that will benefit our planet for generations to come.

On this Earth Day, let us rededicate ourselves to the cause of sustainability. Let us commit to measuring our impact on the environment and taking meaningful steps to reduce it. We must remember that each and every one of us has a role to play in creating a better future for our planet. Together, we can build a truly circular world where waste is minimized, resources are conserved, and the health of our planet is protected.”

Nitin Kapoor, Managing Director, Saera Electric Auto, asserts, “As we celebrate World Earth Day, Saera Electric Auto renews its commitment to promoting sustainable mobility and reducing our carbon footprint. We believe that the future of transportation lies in electric vehicles, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this revolution. At Saera Electric Auto, we believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting our planet. By choosing an electric vehicle, you can make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. We invite you to join us in this important mission and help us create a cleaner, healthier world for future generations.

On this World Earth Day, let us all work together to make a difference. Saera Electric Auto is committed to providing innovative solutions for sustainable transportation, and we look forward to a brighter, greener future for us all.”

Shreegopal Kabra, Managing Director, RR Kabel, says, “India has the potential to leap towards a sustainable manufacturing future, driven by renewable energy sources, circular economy principles, and eco-efficient practices. As a leading wire and cable manufacturer, we are committed to developing new sustainable products, using low-carbon transportation and energy-efficient technologies, and supporting policies that incentivize sustainable manufacturing practices. To create long-term value for all stakeholders, it is imperative to adopt circular economy strategies, recycle and repurpose materials throughout the product life cycle, and reduce consumption.  Today, India is a developing nation with a heavy emphasis on growing its economy. As a consequence, it is anticipated that the Indian manufacturing sector will contribute more to national CO2 emission levels. However, this should not discourage us from striving toward sustainability. Our mission to drive and encourage green manufacturing practices is not only good for the environment but also for the long-term growth and success of businesses. We must work together to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations." 

Rajesh Kabra, Managing Director, RR Parkon, states, “Earth Day is a timely reminder of our responsibility towards the planet, and our need to contribute to a sustainable world. Urbanisation has led to a rise in residential properties, fuelling a demand for multi-level car parks. Today, parking is not just an amenity but a necessity. Hence multilevel parking systems are offering robust and smart technologies that can help mitigate harmful environmental impact, meet urban transportation requirements, save space, and also reduce traffic congestion. Automated parking solutions reduce carbon emissions and create more space-efficient parking structures that require less land and energy to operate. Smart- parking systems utilise advanced algorithms and sensors to optimise parking density, and minimise the need for excess lighting and ventilation, saving energy resources. India is on a mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Thus, we should aim to align our operations with global environmental goals, adopt sustainable practices, and drive innovation in green technologies. On this Earth Day, we appeal to everyone to join us in a collective effort to reduce our carbon footprint and build a brighter, greener future for generations to come.”  

Ankit Mittal, Co-Founder & CEO, Sheru, says, “We are at war with climate change. Rising temperatures, intense rains and storms, and much more. Unless the planet lives on, we won't be able to live on it. Earth Day is a time to celebrate our planet and our relationship with it. Sheru is committed to the fight. Happy Earth Day to everyone celebrating it and doing their bit for a better Earth.”

Manish Dabkara, Chairman and MD, Enking International, explains, “The theme of Earth Day 2023 - 'Invest In Our Planet' resonates with the alarming reality which is faced by the only home we have, and rightly so, acts like a clarion call to act now.  

The resources, money, and creativity are there to make the investments the world needs, but everyone of us must step up and do our share. Investing in our planet is not just an option; it's a survival necessity now. It's about making conscious choices in our daily lives, as well as in our businesses and investments, that prioritize environmental sustainability.

Aggressive technological advancement in mitigating emissions and a smooth transition to renewable energy are the topmost need of the hour which can come with the right investment. A step towards sustainable development is not enough anymore and we rather need to sprint towards the finish line with powerful tools at our disposal like carbon credits.

It is simple! We need to be proactive in investing in the planet, so individuals and businesses can offset their carbon footprint and support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also creating economic opportunities for local communities. We need to make investments in installation resilience, sustainability, and environmental stewardship today and everyday to ensure we keep flying, fighting, and winning while preserving our world for years to come because we have a responsibility to future generations to ensure that they inherit a healthy and sustainable planet.

Let's make conscious choices that prioritize environmental sustainability, support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect our planet's biodiversity.” 

Tarun Mehta, CEO, Ather Energy, asserts, “Electric vehicles are the single biggest hope for achieving a decarbonised world and faster adoption of EVs is the first step towards this goal. In our country, the transition to sustainable modes of transportation has begun well, largely led by electric two-wheelers. While our nation has taken great strides towards e-mobility, the electric two-wheeler fleet needs to grow much more rapidly in emerging markets. On the occasion of Earth Day, I urge more people to join the electric revolution for a cleaner tomorrow.”

Key Takeaway

The aim behind the celebration of the Earth Day is essentially to increase environmental conservation and awareness amongst people. It provides an opportunity for people and groups to come together to organise and take part in community-driven projects. People are made aware of the detrimental effects of human activity on the ecosystem. In this context, we should emphasise and increase the usage of renewable energy sources on a large-scale. The shift from fossil fuels towards renewables should be massively encouraged. We all should take the day as a reminder that we can all contribute to preserving the planet's health for coming generations. This is a crucial step towards achieving the goal of a sustainable future.