The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organised a conference on Sustainable Information Technology on Friday, 9th February 2024 at The Park, Kolkata, to discuss Emergence of Climate Aware IT – Responsible Computing & Green IT. Esteemed dignitaries like Mr. Roopen Roy, Past President, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Founder and CEO, Sumantrana Management Consultants; Mr. Sailesh Tyagi, Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability Leader, Consulting Deloitte South Asia; Mr. Diptiman Dasgupta, Associate Director & Executive IT Architect, IBM; Mr. Sabyasachi Biswas, Senior Vice President, Digital Transformation, Vikram Solar; and Mr. Manjit Nayak, Director, Software Technology Parks of India, shared their expert opinions, adding significance to the event.
While delivering the welcome speech, Mr. Roopen Roy, Past President, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Founder and CEO, Sumantrana Management Consultants, said, “In the realm of corporate responsibility, the ICC has consistently led the way, delving into the third layer of thoughtful discourse. It is time to challenge the prevailing notion that smokestack industries bear sole responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. We must acknowledge our collective culpability. Climate change is no longer a luxury; it is an imperative. As we approach 2026 and the specter of cross-border carbon taxes looms, companies face existential threats. The IT sector, pivotal in modern enterprise, accounts for approximately 1% of global electricity consumption through data centers. The industry’s contribution to nearly 1.8 to 3.9 global greenhouse emissions demands our attention. The digital era’s backbone, data centers, while essential, exact a toll on energy resources. Embracing sustainable computing is not just a best practice; it is an ethical imperative to mitigate societal and environmental impact.”
While delivering a speech on Tech Enabled ESG and Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting, Mr. Shailesh Taygi, Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability Leader, Consulting Deloitte South Asia, stated, “Sustainability is not merely a buzzword; it’s a shared passion and responsibility. Leveraging technology as an enabler is crucial in our commonsensical approach towards sustainable practices. From the consumption of natural capital to embracing digitisation, our goal is to create value with measurable outcomes. Sustainable IT demands a dual perspective – complying with mandates like BRSR while strategically utilising IT as a significant emissions contributor. With a focus on Scope 1 to 4 emissions, companies are extending their commitment beyond greenhouse gases to address the digital divide and promote inclusivity. Embracing green and sustainable coding in software development, especially in Scope 4, becomes instrumental in emission management. The evolving definition of sustainability, coupled with India’s emphasis on reporting, data and processed governance, underscores the need for a robust global greenhouse emission management strategy to make a meaningful impact.”
While speaking on the Importance of Green IT, Mr. Diptiman Dasgupta, Associate Director & Executive IT Architect, IBM, emphasised, “Sustainable Information Technology is paramount; planting trees stands as our most impactful contribution to an eco-friendly future. Before assuming the role of a conscientious computer professional, embrace the duty of a responsible citizen. Witnessing climate change and melting icebergs necessitates a collective effort for irreversible societal benefits. Identifying major carbon emitters is crucial in addressing environmental concerns. Responsible computing, especially in data centers and cloud usage, demands thoughtful energy management in organisations. Industry leaders must measure and mitigate carbon emissions, fostering a shared responsibility for a greener tomorrow. Encouraging students to embrace emerging technologies with a green mindset is pivotal. To be a responsible developer is to be a ‘green coder,’ as sustainability is a multifaceted imperative. Ultimately, effective thinking and proactive measures are the keystones to cultivating a green ecosystem.”
While speaking on Renewable Energy Transition, Mr. Sabyasachi Biswas, Senior Vice President, Digital Transformation, Vikram Solar, said, “Vikram Solar recognises the imperative for transformative change in business operations to address the global need for sustainable practices. Our focus on renewable energy transmission underscores the shift from fossil fuels to sources like wind and solar. Despite the abundant, essentially free nature of these resources, the challenge lies in accessibility. The dominance of China in the production of solar cells poses a significant hurdle. As we aim for 700 Gigawatts of energy to meet our country’s demands, the convergence of established industry leaders and technological advancements, such as AI, is crucial. The next wave in making renewables accessible is intertwined with the responsibility to drive green initiatives, ensuring a harmonious balance between progress and environmental stewardship.”
Emphasisng on government initiatives, Mr. Manjit Nayak, Director, Software Technology Parks of India, said, “In the dynamic landscape of business, embracing sustainability is not just a choice; it’s a strategic imperative. Facing challenges and seizing opportunities, organizations, whether behemoths like Google and Deloitte or burgeoning startups, navigate towards sustainability. With over 1 Lakh startups in India, the pursuit of sustainability spans every sector, especially within the IT industry. Government initiatives offer a spectrum of support, from funding to mentoring, complemented by robust infrastructure and laboratories. Together, we navigate these challenges, seizing opportunities and advancing towards a more sustainable future.”
