Interview: Amit Banka
Founder & CEO at WeNaturalists
Balancing Biodiversity & RE is Key to Sustainable Future, Highlights WeNaturalists' Amit Banka
October 13, 2025. By Abha Rustagi

Que: The Company empowers individuals and organisations with digital tools for nature, climate action, and SDGs. How do you see renewable energy fitting into this larger sustainability mission?
Ans: Typically, renewable energy projects are very capital-intensive. For instance, solar farms require vast land and significant investment in solar panels, batteries, and distribution systems. Our product, however, primarily caters to individuals working in the climate action space, those protecting soil, water, and air.
While there isn’t a direct correlation with renewable energy at present, our sustainability education programs emphasise renewable energy awareness. We conduct campaigns in schools and colleges to help young people understand how renewable energy can support conservation.
Que: Many ESG frameworks now require tracking renewable energy usage and carbon emissions. Does your platform support organisations in aligning with these reporting needs?
Ans: Not directly, but we do train people to understand how sustainability audits should be conducted. Energy is a part of that, though we focus primarily on educational institutions. Our framework begins with schools and colleges to build early awareness of sustainability and conservation practices.
Que: You use several tools to generate awareness among communities. What metrics do you use to assess the environmental impact of any project and then educate the community about it?
Ans: The metrics vary from project to project. When we work at the ground level, our focus areas are conservation, project management, documentation, and knowledge transfer.
Our tools are designed to assess learning outcomes, for instance, what kind of sustainability activities children are undertaking and how that knowledge is passed on to the next group. For conservation professionals, we focus on how effectively they create and share content that inspires others.
Essentially, all our digital tools and services aim to drive digital transformation for people engaged in conserving soil, water, and air.
Que: Do you see your platform bridging the gap between nature-based projects and renewable energy initiatives in the coming years?
Ans: Yes, our learning and awareness campaigns already include energy-related themes. For example, in our Campus Champion Programs for college eco clubs, participants conduct audits, such as water, energy, and waste audits, as part of their hands-on learning experience. So, renewable energy education is already embedded within our activities.
Que: How do you engage with local communities, particularly in other countries?
Ans: We use a similar format globally. The structure of our programs which is education, engagement, and awareness, remains consistent across all geographies.
Que: How do you see the intersection of renewable energy adoption and biodiversity conservation, given that renewable projects can also impact the environment?
Ans: Every infrastructure project has pros and cons. Dams, solar farms, and wind energy systems all have environmental trade-offs. For instance, large solar farms consume significant land, and windmills can affect bird populations, though simple innovations, such as painting turbine blades black, have helped reduce such impacts.
It’s a balancing act. The key is to identify what’s less harmful and gradually transition to energy sources with lower carbon footprints. This evolution is ongoing and will continue over time.
Que: Are there any alternative ideas or innovations you foresee in the next 5–10 years to reduce the harmful effects of renewable energy projects?
Ans: Our focus is on ensuring that every gadget or system we use aligns with nature-positive principles. Managing e-waste and conserving electricity are key.
Complete carbon neutrality at the city or state level is currently unrealistic due to growing energy consumption. However, several companies have pledged to achieve net-zero targets by 2030, and such collective local efforts can make a significant impact globally.
Que: What kind of support do you expect from the government in promoting environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation?
Ans: The government’s role is very important in scaling impact. Effective regulation is needed across sectors such as air, water, soil, and waste management.
Currently, pollution and emissions often continue despite regulatory approvals. Therefore, stricter enforcement and centralised policies are necessary. Climate should be treated as a central subject, not a state one, with uniform laws across India to ensure a nationwide impact.
Que: What can India learn from other countries’ awareness campaigns on climate action?
Ans: India is doing reasonably well, but population remains our biggest challenge. Resource usage directly depends on the number of users. With limited resources and a vast population, equitable distribution becomes difficult.
As more people become financially independent, the strain on shared resources will reduce. The key lies in balancing population, consumption, and awareness.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.