GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIAINDIA’SGREENECONOMY-ANINTRODUCTIONInrecentyears,India’snewagestart-upcompanieshaveincreasedtheirfocusonenvironmentalawarenessandaregoingbeyondadvocacyforplastic-freeorpaper-freeworkplaces.Thelatestagendaistodriveinitiativescentredonresponsibilitytowardssustainability.Nearlyallcompanieshavebegunadoptinggreenerpracticestoreducetheircarbonfootprint-itreferstotheamountofgreenhousegasesproducedbyasingleentityandismeasuredastonnesofCO2emittedperyear.Thefollowingaresomeexamplesofcompaniesattemptingtochangetheircarbonequation.12WASTEMANAGEMENT-APROBLEMININDIAAccordingtoexperts,millennialsinIndiaarelargelyresponsibleforthisshifttowardseco-friendlypractices.India’sdemographicprofileheavilyleansinthefavouroftheyouthwhoaredrivingawarenessandchange.“Theyouthoftodayisextremelyconsciousofprevalentissuesthatplaguetheenvironment,mostparticularlywastemanagement.Thisinteresthasbeendrivenpartlybywhattheyseearoundthem,butalsoinlargepartbycompaniesmandatingworkhourstobespentoncommunityprojects—employeesnowwanttogetinvolvedatthegroundlevel,”saidManvelAlur,theCEOofENSYDEduringaninterviewwithEconomicTimes.ENSYDEprovidesdesignsolutionsonenergy,waterandwastemanagement.InIndia,>75%ofthewastegeneratedisrecyclable,but~30%isrecycled.Wastemanagementisbecomingacriticalconcerninthecountryandsimplycannotbeignoredanylonger.Recentestimatesstatethatatthecurrentrateofrecycling,IndiawillneedseverallandfillsaslargeasthecityofBengaluruby2030todumpallthegeneratedwaste.AccordingtotheCentralPollutionControlBoard,<15%ofthemunicipalsolidwastegeneratedisprocessedortreated.InIndia,efficientwastemanagementisplaguedbyvariousissuesrangingfromlackofproperguidelines,planningonthepartofauthorities,poorwastecollection,andtreatmentsystemtopoorawarenessamongcitizensaboutwastesegregation.Thoughtherehavebeennumerousattemptsfrombothurbanlocalbodiesandprivatestakeholderstoincreaseawarenessaboutwastesegregationamongpeople,theimpacthasbeenminimalsimplybecauseeffortswerelimitedtoonlyafewregions.START-UPSADDRESSINGTHISCONCERNTosolveIndia’swastemiseries,severalstart-upsaregettinginvolvedandmakingadifference.Thefollowingaresomecompaniesofferinginnovative,efficientsolutionsforwastemanagementandrepurposingwasteforgoodswithcommercialvalue.EcoBuddymanufacturesenvironment-friendlyproductsandisdrivenbytheideaofencouragingpeopletoreducetheuseofnon-biodegradableproductsindailylife.Thecompanyoffersalternateoptionsfordailyconsumablessuchasbambootoothbrushes,cottongrocerybagsandorganicdetergentsfordishesandlaundry.FounderofEcoBuddyisaPune-basedengineerSurajSaidsharedwithTheSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENBetterIndiathathelaunchedthisinitiativebecause“Therewerequiteafewrecyclingunitsinthecity,andyettherewassomuchwaste.Iwonderedifithadsomethingtodowithpeople’slackofknowledgeaboutwasteandwastesegregation.”Initially,theorganisationwasinvolvedinawarenesscampaignsbutasitsoutreachhitcriticalmasses,itbeganmanufacturingzero-wasteproductsforeverydayneeds.Becoisanotherexampleofaconsumergoodsstart-up,whichmanufacturessustainablealternativestosingle-usepaperandplasticproducts.Thecompanyproduceshouseholditemssuchasfacialtissues,toiletpaperrollsandkitchenrollsmadefrombamboopulpandcornstarch.Theseproductsare100%biodegradableanddonotdepletenaturalresourcessuchastreesandwater.BareNecessitiestakesacradle-to-cradleapproachforeachproductbyusingallnatural,locallysourcedingredientsthathavenoharmfulimpactsonhealthortheenvironment.Itisazero-wastecompany,hopingtochangethenarrativeofwasteinIndia.Thecompanyoffersalargevarietyofzero-wastelifestyleproductsrangingfromhomecare,personalcare,dentalcare,haircaretostationary,mobilephonecasesandbags.SutrakaarCreationsisaprojectinitiatedbyNeerjaPalisettyandofferssolutiontorecyclepaperwasteanchoredbytheideaofzero-waste.Thestart-uphasinventedaneco-friendlyprocesstorecyclepaperintotextilesandisprovidingasourceoflivelihoodformanyunemployedwomen.Itusesdiscardednewspapersandallkindsofpaperwastetoweaveyarnfrompaper.Thegoalistopromotesustainablelivelihoodsintandemwithenvironmentalconservation.BluecatPaper,foundedbyKavyaMadappa,producespaperusingsecondaryagroandindustrialwastesuchascottonrags,flax,lemongrass,mulberry,ricestubble,coffeehusk,bananastumps,coconuthuskandelephantfaeces.Tomaketree-freepaper,thecompanycollects~20tonnesofsecondarywastesfrom~100farmersandfivefactorieseverymonthandproducessavingsof30tonnesofwoodpermonth.Incomparisonwiththetraditionalapproach,thisinnovativemethodofmanufacturingpapersavesupwardsof55,000litresofwatersaday.FoundedbyShagunSingh,GeeliMittiFoundationbuildscool,durablehomesusingmud,bamboo,cowdungandlimeinvillages.Theorganisationvouchesforsustainabilitybycreatingspacesandstructurethatabidebythemostnaturalformofliving.Theprojectaimstoprovidealternativehousinginvillages,alongwithcreatingawarenessonreusingwastematerialsforproductiveuses.Aformermarketingexecutiveturnedenvironmentalist,Singhusesscientificknowledgeinherarchitecturaldesign.InconversationwithSheThePeople,shehighlightsthat,“theearthbagtechniqueisextremelyimportant.Itishighlybeneficialforearthquake-proneareas.ManypeopledonotknowthatduringtheNepalearthquake,inonearea,onlyonebuildingkeptstandingwhiletheothers3STARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENcollapsed.Itwasbecauseoftheearth-bagtechniquethatitwasbuiltwith.”HasitGanatra,anengineer,foundedReMaterialsin2013toprovidealternateroofingsolutionstovillages.Thestart-uprepurposesplasticandagriculturalwastetoproduceroofingtilesusinginnovativetechnology.Thecompany’sgoalistoprovidebetterroofingsolutionsthanthetraditionalandmetalcementsheetscurrentlyavailableinthemarket.PhotoprintisaPune-basedenterprisethatupcyclesplasticwasteintofilamentsfor3Dprintingusingproprietarytechnology.Thecompanyaimstoreducetheplasticwastethatremainsuncollectedandlitteredinthecountry.Accordingtostatisticspublishedbythegovernment,>15,000tonnesofplasticwasteisgenerateddaily;ofthis,~6,000tonnesendsupindumpsitesorlittered.Itpartnerswithwastepickerstogatherrawmaterialformanufacturing.Thisplasticrawmaterialisconvertedintoflakes,thenmeltedandextrudedtoproduceHDPEfilamentsfor3Dprinting.GPSRenewablesisawaste-to-energycompanythathaspioneeredcleanandlow-costtechnologyforbiowastemanagement.Itproducesbiogasandhigh-methane-containingbioCNG(compressednaturalgas)intheprocess.Thesefuelscanbeusedforpowergenerationandcookingpurposes.Thisstart-upwasfoundedin2012byIIM-Balumni,SreekrishnaSankarandMainakChakraborty.Thecompany’sbiogasunitsarecompact,prefabricatedsystemsrequiringminimalspaceandinstallationefforts.ThecompanyistappingurbanestablishmentstoinstallthebiogasunitsandusesitspatentedremotemonitoringtechnologytomaintainandmanageodourandoperationalefficiencybyusingIoTtechnologytoensureminimumdowntimeforclients.Thetotalwastehandlingcapacityoftheseunitsis30-50tonnesadayfor40units,preventingthousandsoftonnesgreenhousegasemissions.ChakrInnovationisacreativeventurethatconvertspollutantstoinkbysettingup‘sootcatcher’devices.Thesedeviceshavebeenspeciallydevelopedtoconvertsootspewedbydieselgeneratorsandenginesintoink.Thecompany’smaingoalistohelpbusinessescanmeettheirregulatorycompliancestandardsonpollutionandimproveairqualityintheirregion.Atclientsite,itplacesthedeviceclosetotheexhaustofthedieselgeneratortocaptureallparticulatematter.Thismatteristhenconvertedintoink,whichhascommercialvalueandissuppliedtolocalinkmanufacturers.Thismethod/techniquereducesthecompany’scarbonfootprintandensurescomplianceonindustrialemissions.AproGreenTech,foundedbyAbhijeetSirkarinMumbai,providesassistancetobusinessesandgovernmentbodiesoncorporatesocialresponsibilityandgreentechnologyinitiatives.Thecompanyalsohelpstheminplanningrural/urbandevelopmentprojectsandintegratinggreentechnologyininfrastructure.Ithasbeencreditedfordevelopinginnovativeusestorecycleplasticwaste.Oneofitsmainaccomplishmentsisthe‘SUSLOO’model,whichisasustainablesanitationsolutionforpublicspaces.ItconstructsspecialisedtoiletsbyapplyingApro’s4STARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN5patented‘BottleBrickInnovation’technologyusingplasticandglassbottles,recycledmilkandjuicecartonstoavoidtheuseofnaturalwood.Othersustainablesanitationinnovationsincludebio-toilets,dual-flushsystems,eco-blocks,sensorsforwatertapinbasinstoreducewaterconsumptionanddivertingbasin-usedwaterfortoiletflushes.Thestart-uphasanotherpatent‘Hemptech’underitsbelt.HemptechisatechnologytoproduceHempcrete,whichisabiocompositemadeoftheinnerwoodycoreofthehempplant.Thisgivesalightweightcement-likeinsulatingmaterial,weighingaboutaseventhoreighthoftheweightofaconcrete.Hempcreteprovideamoresustainablealternativetoconstructionmaterialcementconcrete,whichisaknownsourceofheavygreenhousegasemissions.ThisForThatisapeer-to-peer,mobile-appbased,fashionswappingplatformforwomen.Thisstart-upwasamongthefirstofitskindtochampionthecauseofreducingfashionwastewithwallets.Theirmessageappealedtoconsumersacrossthespectrumofcostsavings,freeshoppingusingbartersystemandbeingenvironmentallyfriendly.Theirbusinessmodelfunctionsontheconsumerneedtoregularlyrefreshtheirclosetwithoutfinancialoutlays.Theappenablesbuyerstopostitemsfromtheirclosetforacreditvalueandexchangeitforadifferentitemofsimilarcreditvaluewithanothermemberintheswapcommunity.Theaggregatorplatformensuresallqualitycontrolmechanismsarefunctioningwelltoensuresmoothtransactionsandhighcustomerservice.Textilewastemakesup>10%ofwasteinlandfills,ThisForThatwantstotacklethisproblembyprovidinganalternativetofashionpieces.Throughtheirefforts,theyhopethateachitemofclothingcanhavealongershelflife.ProkleanTechnologiesishelpingindustriesreducetheharmfuleffectsofindustrialeffluentsonwaterbodies.Theseeffluentsareresponsibleforthebulkofwaterpollutionandextinctionofmarinelife.Prokleanhasdevelopedaunique,highperformanceandprobiotics-basedsolutionthatreplacessoapingagentsandchemicalsurfactantsusedbymanufacturingplantsacrossindustries.Thissolutionisnatural,non-toxicandfullybiodegradable.Thecompanycaterstothelargestwasteproducingsectorssuchastextiles,leatherandhospitality.Co-founderandCEO,S.SivaramPillai,explainedhisinnovativetechnologytoBusinessToday,"forthefirst-time,auniquecombinationofnaturallyoccurringprobioticmicrobes(goodbacteria,inlayman'sterms)andcertainothernaturalingredientsarebeingusedtodeveloptheseproducts.Weuseaproprietaryfermentationandformulationprocess.Besidespollutioncontrol,thereareotheradvantagesalso,suchas20%watersaving.”Swajal,atechnologystart-up,hasflourishedinkeepingwiththecountry’ssustainabilityagenda.ThecompanyemploysIoTtechnologytoprovidecleandrinkingwatervendingsystemspoweredbysolarenergy.Co-founderAdvaitKumar,inaninterviewwithYourStory,said,“thesemachinesare80%cheaperthanreverseosmosissystemsorwatercoolers.”Mostcompaniesnowadaysrelyonsolarenergy,partlyorSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN6wholly,topowertheirofficesandrelatedinfrastructure.Kumarbelieveshisproductsareanaturalextensionoftheongoingtransformationinsolarenergyapplications.BossLadyisanatural,vegan,cruelty-freemake-upbrandfoundedbyKajolMahendraBafnain2019.Mostmake-upbrandsresorttocruelproducttestingonanimals.ThisbrandwasfoundinMumbaiwithadesiretohavehumaneandresponsiblemake-upproductsinthemarket.Thecompany’sproductsaremadeusingingredientssuchasjojobaoil,sunflowerwax,almondoilandcalendulawax.Sincethecompanybeganitsoperations,BossLadyhaslaunched~15productsthatcomprisedifferentshadesoflipsticks,eyelinersandhighlightersthatprovidecruelty-freemake-upalternativestowomen.Ecoploreisagreenmarketingfirm,whichaimstoencouragepeopletoexplorenatureinaneco-friendlymannerandpromotehealthierlifestyles.Thestart-upwasnominatedamongthetopstart-upsfor‘SmartFifty’byIIMCalcuttaInnovationParkforitsuniquetakeonthetourismandhospitalitysector.ThefounderandCEO,PrernaPrasad’sdescriptionofherventurewithSheThePeopleis“Ecoploreisanendeavourtoprotecttheenvironment.Throughourventure,wepromotehotelsthatareatleast30%greeninsidetheirboundaryandaremadeofnon-concretematerial.Theideaistoprotectwhateversereneenvironmentweareleftwith.”AntaraChatterjeefoundedLittleLocaltochangethewayIndianstakevacations.Sheintroducedtheconceptofvolunteeringwhiletakingabreak.InaninterviewwithSheThePeople,Chatterjeesharedthat,“Ibecameobsessedwiththeideaofmergingtravel,communityimpactanduniqueexperiences.”LittleLocal’scommunityimpactandvolunteeringactivitieslargelycentreonenvironmentalconservation,withslightvariationsinactivitiesacrosscommunitiesbasedontheirneeds.DineshParikh,SachinSharmaandAdityaParikhfoundedDelhi-basedGEMEnviroManagementin2013.GEMcollectspre-andpost-consumerpackagingwastefromfactories,offices,hotels,motelsandinstitutes.ThewasteisthenrecycledintoproductssuchasT-shirts,capsandbags,whicharethensoldunderitsbrand‘BeingResponsible’.Thecompanyalsoorganisesvariousprogrammestoraiseawarenessaboutenvironmentalsustainabilityandtheimportanceofrecyclingincorporates,universitiesandinstitutes.ZunRoofisahome-techstart-upintroducingsmartandcleanenergychoicestohomeowners.Thecompanyhelpsgenerateelectricitythroughsolarenergybyusingunutilisedrooftops.Foundedin2016byPraneshChaudharyandSushantSachan,theGurugram-basedstart-upisaimingSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN7tobecomethelargestsolarrooftopproviderinIndia.Itclaimstohaveassessedover150,000homes,madedesignsfor17,000homesandhasinstalledsolarrooftopsinover5000homes.InconversationwithYourStory,Praneshtalksabouthowenvironmentallyconscioustheirofficeis,“Weensureouremployeesalwaysfollowthebestenvironmentpractices.Asaresult,thelastpersonleavingtheroomswitchesoffanyelectronicappliancethatisnotinuseintheoffice.Thereisabsolutelyzerofoodwastageandemployeeswaterthepottedplantsontheirdeskdaily.”Apartfromthis,ZunRoofdoesnotuseanypaperintheofficeforprinting,andensuresittakesfulladvantageofthefactthatitisatechstart-upandoptsforcommunicationviatechnology.“Technologyisakeydifferentiatorforhome-techstart-upssuchasours.Goingpaperlessisnotsomethingwehaveenforced,butwasratherinevitableasitsupportseasycollaborationwithinandacrossteams,ensuresconfidentiality,maintainsahistoricalrecordandkeepsouremployeesconnectedirrespectiveofwheretheyareworkingfrom,”saidPranesh.Speakingabouttheirothereco-friendlyinitiatives,heshared,“Ourofficeiswelllitwithnaturallightingandwedonotuseanyartificiallightstill7:00pm,andonlyenergyefficientLEDlightsareinstalledintheoffice.Wehaveastrictno-plasticpolicywithinthecompany,asaresultofwhichallemployeeshavebeenprovidedwithmetalwaterbottlesandonlyreusablemugsandplatesareused.Allcustomer-facingprocessesarealsodigitisedandexecutedthroughourmobileapp”.Gurugram-basedTheManCompanyisamalegroomingstart-upthatwaslaunchedin2015byBhishamBhateja.Accordingtothecompany,besidesgivingcustomerproductsthatarebeneficialtotheiraestheticimprovement,itismeticulousaboutingredientsusedinproducts.Thecompany’sentireproductrangeisfreefromharmfulchemicalsandinfusedwithessentialoils.BhishamtoldYourStory,“Weuse100%naturalessentialoilsthatareextractedfromherbs,flowers,seedsandfruits.Themanufacturingofsodiumlaurylsulphate(SLS)hasadrasticeffectontheenvironmentandusingproductscontainingsulphatespollutesgroundwaterandresultsinbio-accumulation.Allourproductsarefreeofthisharmfulchemicalandparabens.Wearealsostrictlyagainstanimaltestingandourcontainersarerecyclable.”Thestart-upalsorefrainsfromusingplasticsasmuchaspossibleinitsofficespaceandallpackagingproductsarerecyclable.Speakingaboutbeingeco-friendly,andhowotherstart-upscandothesame,Bhishamsaid,“Eco-friendlyforusmeansreducingtheimpactwehaveontheenvironmentasmuchaspossible.Whilewedohavecertainpracticesinplace,thekeyonebeingnotusinganySLSorparabens,weknowthereisstillalongwaytogointhisregard.Eachcompanycandecidetheprocessforthemselves,andwhatbestsuitstheirvaluesandethos.Aslongaswestayhonest,authenticandtruetothevaluesandcommitmenttoourcustomers,wewillseesuccess.”Glass2Sandwasfoundedasazero-wastecompanytoaddressthegrowingmenaceofglasswasteinDelhi.FounderUditSinghalhasbeennamedbytheUnitedNationstothe2020cohortofyoungleadersfor‘SustainableDevelopmentGoals’,thehighest-profilerecognitionopportunityattheworldbodyforyoungsterswhoareleadingeffortstocombattheworld'smostpressingissues.Throughhisinitiative,emptyglassbottlesareSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN8preventedfrombeingdumpedintolandfills.Theseglassbottles,ifleftunattended,donotdecomposeforamillionyears.Hisventurecollectsandcrushesthemintocommerciallyvaluablesand.Glass2Sandhasstoppedover8,000bottlesfrombeingdumpedinlandfillsandproduced4,815kilogramsofhigh-gradesilicasand.Ahmedabad-basedEcoRightsellseco-friendlybagswithanemphasisondesigntoattractcustomers.Foundedin2017byUditSoodandNikitaBarmecha,wholaunchedthebrandinIndiaandtheUSviaAmazon,thestart-uphasexpandedintoothercountries,includingEurope,AustraliaandCanada.Thestart-upsellseco-friendlyjutebagsandpromotesanenvironmentallyconsciousmindsetintheofficespaceaswell.Employeesdonotuseanyplasticsintheofficespaceandinsteadusebiodegradablebags.Thecompanyalsopracticesrainwaterharvestingattheirofficesandrunsentirelyonsolarpower.Itsegregatesthedailywasteintodryandwetwaste.Theexcessfabricusedinitsproductsissentfromthefactoryforrecycling.Apartfromthis,ithasreusableutensilsintheofficesothatemployeesavoidusingdisposablecutlerythatcomesalongwithfoodorders.Thecompany’seffortsareaimedatmakingIndiaplastic-free.ItclaimsthateachEcoRightbagwillinturnreplacetheuseof50-100plasticbags.Havingsoldoveronelakheco-friendlybags,EcoRighthaspreventedtheuseof~5,000,000plasticbags.GOVERNMENTINITIATIVESPROVIDINGTHRUSTTOPRIVATEPLAYERSGovernmentpoliciesandcorporateinitiativesarehelpingIndiaforgeaheadwithitssustainabilityagenda.Thegovernment’ssupport—intheformofregulationsandcommitmentstoamplifytheuseofcleanenergyresourcesandpromotecleanenergyconcepts—hasbeenvitalindrivinggrowth.Also,theauthoritieshavebeenundertakingseverallarge-scalesustainablepowerprojectstoachievethecountry’stargetsaspertheParisAgreement.Indiaplanstohave175GWofrenewableenergycapacityby2022.The‘NationalSolarMission’waslaunchedin2010,whichaimstopromoteecologicallysustainablegrowthaswellasaddressIndia’senergysecuritychallenge.InJune2015,India’sPrimeMinister,ShriNarendraModiagreedtoraisethecountry’ssolarpowercapacitytargetundertheNationalSolarMissionistoreach100GWby2022.Underthismission,variousincentivessuchaszeroimportdutyoncapitalinvestmentsandrawmaterialsandlow-interestratesandprioritylendingsectorhavebeensetupfor2022.SkilldevelopmentinsolarandwindenergysectorsinIndiaisexpectedtocreateover0.3millionjobsby2022.Tomeettherisingdemandfortrainedmanpower,aNaonalSolarMissionistoreach100GWby2022STARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN9targetof50,000‘Suryamitras’ofskilledmanpowerinthesolarenergysectorwassetfor2019-2020.The‘GreenEnergyCorridorProject’inIndiahasreceivedaRs.75.26billion(US$1.05billion)softloanfromtheGermanDevelopmentBank.Thisprojectaimstoimprovethesectorframeworkandconditionsforgridintegrationofrenewableenergieswithconventionalpowergrids.Throughthissoftloan,40%ofintrastateand70%ofinterstatetransmissionschemeswillbefunded.DistributingdecentralisedsolarpowerandprovidingelectricitytoallhasbecomeamajoractionpointforthegovernmentofIndia.Theprogrammeincludesallhouseholds,urbanvillagesandslums,whicharecurrentlynotapartofthegridorcentraliseddistribution.However,thereareafewcleantechcompaniesthatofferstandardisedpackagesthatenablepeoplelivinginslumstoswitchfromkerosenetosolarpower.Forexample,PollinateEnergysellsrenewableenergylanternsandstovesonafive-week,interest-freepaymentplantofamilies,withbare-minimumnecessities,livingintheslumsofBengaluru.Thegovernmentismakingeffortstoboostfundingforstart-upsworkinginthesectorbyextendingthecapitalgainsexemptionforinvestmentsbyayeari.e.tillMarch31,2022.Thegovernmenthasalsodecidedtoextendtheeligibilityforclaimingtaxholidaysforstart-upsbyayeartoMarch31,2022asanincentive.Inadditiontotheseextensions,theMsNirmalaSitharaman,MinisterforFinancealsoannouncedthatthegovernmentplanstoincentivisetheincorporationofOnePersonCompanies(OPCs)byallowingthemtogrowwithoutanyrestrictionsonpaid-upcapitalandturnover,andconvertintoanyothertypeofcompanyatanytime.Alltheseinitiativesaretiedtogetherwithacommonthreadofbuildingsustainabilitywithinthebusinessmodel.Asustainablebusinessisanyorganisationthatparticipatesineco-friendlyorgreenactivitiestoensurethatallprocesses,productsandmanufacturingactivitiesadequatelyaddresscurrentenvironmentalconcerns,whilemaintainingaprofit.Inotherwords,itisabusinessthat‘meetstheneedsofthepresentworldwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds.’TheBrundtlandReportemphasisedthatsustainabilityisathree-leggedstoolofpeople,planetandprofit.Sustainablebusinessestrytobalanceallthethreeparametersthroughthetriplebottomlineconceptacrosstheirsupplychain-usingsustainabledevelopmentandsustainabledistributiontoaffecttheenvironment,businessgrowthandsociety.Sustainabilitygoalsaremetbyfollowingthetenetsofcarbonoffsetting,whichisawaytocompensateforemissionsbyfundinganequivalentcarbondioxidesavingelsewhere.Carbonoffsettingprojectshelpcombatglobalclimatechangeaswellascareforlocalcommunities.Inmanyinstancesprovidingmuchneededemployment,healthimprovement,biodiversity,reforestationandbroadsocialbenefitstodevelopingcountries.Carbonoffsettingisdonebyastepwiseapproachofcalculatingemissions,settingtargetsforreduction,implementingreductionprogrammes,trackingsuccessofcarbonoffsetandcommunicatingcarbonoffsetefforts,allthewhilemeetingnationalandinternationalregulations.Indiaistheworld’sthird-largestemitterofgreenhousegases,afterChinaandtheSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN10US.DuringtheParisAgreement,Indiapledgedtoreduceitsintensityofemissionsby33-35%by2030,comparedwiththeemissionlevelsin2005.Indiahasalsocommittedtoreach40%ofitsinstalledelectricitycapacitytobesuppliedbyrenewableornuclearsourcesby2030.InlinewithitscommitmentsfuelledbythenationwidelockdownforCOVID-19,Indiaisontracktodecreaseitsemissions.AccordingtoCarbonBriefestimates,CO2emissionsfellby30mtonnesofCO2(MtCO2,1.4%)inthefiscalyearendingMarch2020.ThisisthefirstdeclinerecordedinIndiainfourdecades.Furthermore,emissionsfellby15%y-o-yinMarchandby30%inApril2020.ECOSYSTEMFORSUSTAINABILITYClimatechangeandglobalwarminghavebeenrisingconcernsinrecentyears.Thenationwidelockdown’sdrasticimpactonimprovingairqualityinthecountrywaswidelydiscussed-bothinshockandawe.Thishasincreasedawarenessamongconsumersandledtotherealisationthateffortsonanindividuallevelcanhaveanexponentialimpacttothewhole.Asaresult,thecountryisrecordingashiftinconsumerpreferencesimpactingdailyhabitsandroutinestoevenpurchasebehaviourandbrandloyalty.Thefollowingaresomeofthekeyshiftsinconsumerhabitsimpactingthegrowthofthissector:BuildingPlastic-freeKitsConsumersarebecomingmoreplannedandthoughtfulintheiruseofdisposablesandsingle-useplastics.Practicessuchastravellingwithabagtogoshopping,bringingacoffeemugtotheworkplace,carryingawaterbottleandhavingahandykitofcutleryandmetalstrawshavebecomecommonplace.IncorporatingPlant-basedGreenMealsConsumersareslowlyshiftingtowardsplant-basedmeals,whilesomeareadoptingentirelyveganlifestyles.Theknowledgethatbreedinglivestockproducessignificantgreenhousegasesandconsumesexorbitantamountsofwateriscausingthisshiftinlifestyles.AuthorandactivistMichaelPollandescribesthenewlifestyleas“ifitcamefromaplant,eatit;ifitwasmadeinaplant,don’t”inhisbook‘InDefenseofFood:AnEater’sManifesto.’OffsetTravelFootprintTravellingbyair,railorroadburnsimportantfossilfuelsandcausespollution.Tobalancethedamagedonebytheirtravels,consumershavesoughtalternativemethodstooffsettheirfootprint.Somealternativesincludepickingadirectflightoverahoppingflightandusingthecarbonoffsetprogrammewiththeairline.Theseprogrammesfinanciallysupportgreenprojectsandinitiativesthatreducepollution.Giventhattravelisoneofthefastest-growingsectorsinIndiaandrankshighonitscarbonfootprint;thistrendislikelytohavepersistentconsumerdemandinthefuture.ElectronicWasteManagementDigitaladoptioninIndiaishappeningatalightningpace,butthisisgivingrisetoSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN11billionsofdevicesthatcannotberepairedorresurrected.Only5%ofthesedevicesarerecycledordisposedofresponsiblybyconsumers.AccordingtotheGlobalE-WasteMonitor,Indiagenerated>20lakhtonnesofe-wastein2017;thatnumberwasexpectedtogrowby500%in2018.However,inrecenttimes,electronicsstoressuchasCromahavebegunfeaturinge-wastedropoffkiosksforconsumers.Thismovecanmeetthedemandforproperdisposalofdeadelectronics/devicesandtherisingconsciousnessamongconsumers.WasteComposngStart-upssuchasTrustBasketandDailyDumparepavingthewayforIndia’swastecompostingmovement.Thesecompanieshavedevelopedcompacthomecompostingproductsthatcanturnfoodandkitchenwasteintofertiliser.Vinita,theleadresearcheratDailyDumpsharedwithVogueIndiathat,“atleast60%ofthewastegeneratedathomeisorganicwastethatdoesnotneedtogotothelandfill.”Zero-WasteStoresBuyersareadoptingzero-wastelifestylesandchampioningthecauseforzero-wastestores.Simplyreplacingaplasticbagwithaclothbagwhileshoppingisnolongerenoughtoundothedamagedoneinpackaginganddelivery.Shoppersareflockingtozero-wastestoresthatencouragebuyerstobringtheirownboxesandcontainerswhileshoppingforpantryprovisions.Brandsandstoresthatreuseandrefilloruseplantablepackagingareontherise.OneGreenInvestmentForward-thinkingconsumersarepledgingtomakeonegreeninvestmentperyear.Forsome,thismeansreducingtheiremissionsonfoodconsumptionbybuildingavegetablegardenfortheirkitchens.Forothers,itmayimplyrethinkingtheirpowerconsumptionandstrainingscarcefossilfuelsbyinstallingasolar-poweredroof.ReduceorRecycleConsumersarechampioningthetwincausesofsustainability—reductionandrecycling.Inthepeckingorderofthegreenmovement,refuseprecedeseverything.Ifitcanberefused,itdoesnotneedtobereduced,reused,repaired,repurposedorrecycled.Purchasinghybridautomobilesandelectricvehiclesisalsoapopularchoiceamongconsumerswantingtoelevatetheirgreenquotient.Pre-OwnedGoodsPurchasingorexchangingsecond-handgoodsforsimilargoodsofequalvalueisgainingtraction.Theage-oldbartersystem,coupledwithmodernaggregatortechnology,isenablingnumerousconsumerstocongregateandconduct‘swap’transactionsinseconds.Drivenbytheideaofmindfulconsumptionandknowledgethatfashionisamongthehighestwasteproducers,clothingswapapplicationsandeventsarewitnessingrecordattendancebyshoppers.Start-upssuchasExchangeRoom,ThisForThatandSwapareleadingthechargeintransformingmindsetsandpluggingtheconsumerdemandgap.STARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN12BrandLoyaltyStarkshiftinconsumerpreferencestowardsbrandswithrecyclablepackagingandrefillableprogrammeshasbeenobserved,especiallyinthefast-movingconsumergoodssegment.Environmentallyconsciousbrandswhoseproductsarefreeofsulphates,parabensandcarcinogens,andhavebeenproducedusinganetzerocarbonemissionapproacharegainingpopularity.sOnapersonallevel,wecanallaimtoreduceourownfootprintwithadietthatinvolveslessimport,andbyreducingconsumption,reusingwheneverpossible,mendingwhatisbrokenandengaginginasharedeconomybyrentingorswapping.Itistosay,shopifyoumust,butboycottblindconsumerism—itdoesn’tmaketheworldahappierplace,”suggestsdesigneractivist,CélineSemaan,inaninterviewwithVogueIndia.SheisthefounderofSlowFactory,asustainability-focusseddesignlab.Do-It-YourselfNaturalAlternavesConsumersareprivytotheunintendedpollutioncausebymicroplasticsinpackagedcleaningandpersonalhygieneproductssuchasdetergentsandshampoos.Theyarepreferringsoapnutsovershowergelsandshampoosorpurchasingsoapstarterkitstomaketheirownchemical-freesoapsfromscratch.Forcleaningproducts,consumersarepreparingsolutionsofbakingsodaandvinegarforachemicalandpollutant-freealternative.GoPaperlessPaper-freetransactionsinbanking,insurance,purchasereceiptsandgovernmentpaperworkarearisingtrendacrossthecountry.AsIndiaisadoptingandadaptingdigitalmodalitiesacrossitsproductsandservices,consumerscanhopetoattaina100%paper-freelifestyleinthefuture.AwarenessagainstGreenwashingThereisonedownsideofsustainabilitybecomingabuzzword,companiesandbrandsmaymakeunsubstantiatedclaimsofbeingenvironmentfriendlyasmarketingtactics.AccordingtoindustryexpertandfounderofSlowFactoryFoundation,CelineSemaanVernon,thereisahighmarginforunscrupulousbehaviour.ShetoldVogueIndiathat,“theproblemwiththefashionindustry’ssolutiontoturningplasticintothread,andlater,afleeceorpolyesteritemisthatoncewashed,theseitemsreleasemicroplasticsintothewater.Soaretakingavisibleplasticbottleandreturningitintotheoceanasinvisibleparticles.”Theawarenessaboutthisissuehasconsumersdemandingdetailedinformationonproductdevelopment,rawmaterialssourcing,conservationandrecyclingeffortsinproductionanddistribution.TheconsumerdemandforsustainableenergyandtechnologysolutionshasboostedtheIndiancleantechindustryinthelastfewyears.Thecountry,withitsSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN13aimtosecureenergyconsumptionandreducepollution,isnowseenasadesirabledestinationandhasabigmarketforcleantechnologywithhugeFDIinvestments.Thecountryisexpectedtogrowitsrenewableenergycapacityto192.1GWby2023.The2015-18economicboomwasakeydriverintheproliferationofcleantechnologiesinthemarket.Duringthisperiod,Indiawasoneofthefastest-growingeconomiesintheworld.Theacceleratedeconomicgrowth,coupledwiththedemandforcleanpowerandgovernment’ssupport,madeIndiaanattractivechoiceforeco-friendlyinvestors.Investmentsincleantechnologyandtherenewableenergysectorarebeingdrivenbyrapidurbanisation,depletionofnon-renewableresourcesandeffectsofclimatechange.Theworld’slargestsolarpark‘ShaktiSthala’isanexampleofonesuchinvestment.ItwaslaunchedinMarch2018inKarnatakawithaninstalledcapacityof2,000MWbyaninvestmentoutlayofRs.65billion(US$2.3billion).Inaddition,privateequityinvestmentsinwindandsolarpowerincreasedtoRs.60,000million(US$836million)in2017.Regardlessofallgrowthfactors,thissectoralshiftisobstructedbyafewsystemicchallenges.Renewablesourcessuchaswindandsolarareunreliableacrossseasonsandregionsandcannotbetrustedtogeneratelargeamountsofenergywithouttheabilitytostoresurplusquantitiesforlateruse.Furthermore,theseresourceshavelimitedcapacitytoscaleinlinewiththerisingdemandforpower.Anothercrucialchallengeforthesectoristhefinancialoutlayforinstallationandmaintenance.Asharnessingsolarandwindenergyentailspropersystemplanningandintegration,whichrequiresadditionalcostsofresearchandtechnologicalintervention.ConclusionInnovationsbyIndianstart-upsareatestamentoftechnologicalprogressandpositiveimpactrenderedfromhavinganenvironmentallyconsciousapproachtobusiness.Globalclimate,governmentsupportandprivateinvestmentshavecreatedahealthyecosystemforstart-upstoexperimentanddevelopsolutionssuitedforIndia.Simultaneously,rapiddevelopmentacrossIndiainthepastfewdecades,especiallyinmobility,infrastructureandurbanisationhaschangedthebalanceoftheenvironmentunfavourably.Thecountryneedstotakeleapsandboundstowardsbeingmoreenvironmentfriendly.Beingenvironmentfriendlyisabouttakingthenecessarystepsandmakingconsciouseffortstochangelifestylesandconserveresources.Theefforttogogreenhasbeenfeltbymanyindustries,ascompaniesarebeginningtorealisehowtheiroperationsimpacttheenvironment.Fromusingrecycledorrenewableresourcestoreducingenergyconsumptionandwaste,thereseemstobeauniversaleffortbycompaniesandstart-upsinIndiatoprotectourplanetandpreventclimatechange.STARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREENSTARTUPSHELPINGINDIA-GOGREEN