Tuesday, June 4, 2024 5:55PM IST (12:25PM GMT BENGALURU,INDIA:
When it comes to the environment, every effort counts. Individual efforts add up at community, country or regional levels to become drivers of significant change. World Environment Day can be an opportunity for each one of us to become part of one of the on-going community initiatives. Mr Ashwin Raikar Managing Director, Nauvata Energy Transition( NET) Enterprise said this and much more in an exclusive interview with 24×7 news world.
NET Enterprise is a leading EPCM, PMC and Engineering services provider in oil & gas, and energy transition areas such as biofuels, carbon capture, green hydrogen and plastic circulatory.
Excerpts of the interview:
24×7 news world : What is the significance of celebrating this day, and why is it crucial for our planet?
Ashwin Raikar :The World Health Organization in its last published statistics says that 99% of the world’s population is living in areas with air quality below the WHO guidelines. That has led to 4.2million premature deaths being recorded annually due to outdoor air pollution. Worst affected are low and middle income countries especially those of South-East Asia and Western Pacific. Evidence of extreme weather events across the world indicate that we are falling behind in implementing our pledges to arrest global warming. The World Environment Day in this context is an opportunity to review our progress and reflect upon further steps required to determinedly halt the degradation of our habitat. Rising sea level is encroaching upon our cities. Frequent droughts and floods are threatening food security and access to potable water across the globe. The rising human toll of environmental pollution has to ring some alarm bells now if we are to avoid a point of no return.
24×7 news world : Compared to previous years, how has the focus of World Environment Day evolved?
Ashwin Raikar : World Environment Day was established in the year 1972 by the United Nations. The wider acceptance of this day or commemoration of events around it took several more years to reach developing nations like India. But we have come a long way since. What started as a day to spread awareness about environmental issues is now an event to frame and implement measures to meaningfully achieve environmental goals. The energy industry, more so the oil and gas industry, is at the forefront of this change in discourse.
24×7 news world : Beyond awareness, how can individuals participate in World Environment Day?
Ashwin Raikar : When it comes to the environment, every effort counts. Individual efforts add up at community, country or regional levels to become drivers of significant change. World Environment Day can be an opportunity for each one of us to become part of one of the on-going community initiatives. Many of these initiatives are being run as part of corporate social responsibility activities by public and private companies. One can also become member of a non-governmental organization. With all of these initiatives being widely covered on social media and internet, only a lack of will and not a lack of way will prevent anyone from becoming an active contributor to climate action.
24×7 news world : How can businesses leverage World Environment Day to showcase their commitment to sustainability?
Ashwin Raikar : World Environment Day is an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to climate action. This event has to be utilized by businesses to align their organizational behaviour at all levels with commitments made towards achieving sustainability. At the same time, supporting events focused on raising climate awareness, channelling a portion of their CSR spending to climate friendly initiatives, participating in pro bono research and development activities focused on climate change, etc. could be the various ways for businesses to showcase and re-emphasize their commitment to sustainability.
24×7 news world : How can we promote the use of renewable energy sources?
Ashwin Raikar : A concern for our environment has to become a factor in every decision we make in choosing the various elements of our lifestyle. From the food we eat, modes of transportation we use, products we consume to how we dispose off our garbage or even the career we choose. It has to be realized that there is an additional environmental cost to bear if we choose cheaper or seemingly attractive polluting options for our lifestyle needs. Measurement of pollution being caused by various activities, establishing strict acceptable limits for pollutants, framing policies to reward or penalize businesses based on their emissions, etc. are some of the steps in this direction. Instituting systems for carbon credit accounting and trading is another important measure. In India, production linked incentives for manufacture of electric vehicles and subsidy on installation of roof-top solar panels are two important initiatives to highlight in this context. The way to promote use of renewable energy sources then is in adopting measures, at community and government level, to clearly establish a system of rewards and restrictions linked to the sources of energy we use.
24×7 news world : What policies have governments implemented to align with the goals of World Environment Day?
Ashwin Raikar : Last year’s Conference of Parties to the UN Framework on Climate Change or COP28 was the culmination of climate action policies being adopted by countries around the world. Countries arrived at a consensus to transition away from fossil fuels. It was resolved to establish a fund to support low and middle income countries for loss or damage due to climate change. At the same time, a framework was established for a global plan to adapt to climate change. India itself has set a target to achieve zero emissions by the year 2070. Aligned with this resolve, the country is targeting 500GW of energy production from non-fossil sources by the year 2030 with significant investment and incentives lined up for supporting renewable energy, biofuels and green hydrogen.
24×7 news world : As a leading consultant in the oil and energy sector, how does Net Enterprise help its clients contribute to the goals of World Environment Day?
Ashwin Raikar : NET Enterprise is committed to support the efforts by our country towards resolving its Energy Trilemma of Energy Security, Energy Equity and Environment Sustainability.
We do this by supporting the oil and gas companies like ONGC, Cairn etc. carryout out oil and gas developments by our engineering and project delivery services at the most competitive costs.
We bring a wealth of technical knowledge and application to companies that are involved in projects in energy transition – Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS), Hydrogen Manufacturing, 3rd Generation Ethanol and other Biofuels and indeed Plastic Circularity. These could be delivered as standalone scopes or in combination of scopes.
We are aware that globally about 30-40% reduction in the Carbon emissions will come from improving efficiency of energy use. We are very well placed to support improvement in efficiency to companies in the Oil and Gas Operations through our suit of Digitalization Software’s (including Digital Twins) so that their productivity is improved, thereby increasing production.
Ultimately, our vision is to be partner of choice for the Oil and Gas Companies and Energy Transition Companies on the basis of our competency to help them deliver Best in Class Projects and/or shape their Net Zero Goals.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by experts on 24×7 news world are their own and not those of the website or its management.24×7 news world advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
