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R. Savitha

Pune, July 6

Global warming has become a hot topic of discussion as the world spews as much as 28 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year (according to experts).

If this continues at this rate for eight years, the earth would reach a ‘tipping point’ when climate change would become irreversible.

On the bright side, if we reduce the carbon emissions by one billion tonnes every year, the tipping point can be extended for a few more years.

Understanding this, corporates have started taking environmental initiatives.

And now is the time for IT companies to pitch in and do their mite for the environment.

What programmes have software companies chalked out in this regard?

Zensar Technologies, a player in IT services and BPO, has chalked out a three-pronged strategy comprising energy conservation in terms of water and power supply usage, minimum usage of paper (double side printing, recycling of paper) and environment awareness initiatives among the non-privileged community.

In addition, e-waste has become a focus area and the campaigns have just begun, according to Ms Pramila Kalive, Global HR Head of Zensar.

Mr Sachi Gerlitz, President and CEO of Ness Technologies, said the employees have taken it on their shoulders to begin environment initiatives within the company.

The company’s 2,700 employees are also involving their family members in the effort.

Ms B.L. Renuka, Associate Director, said the company has come out with a 20-point charter that is displayed prominently so that the initiatives are followed to a T.

The charter includes points such as switching off computer monitors while not in use, replacing tubelights and bulbs with CFLs, not printing hard copies unless needed, trying car pooling, cycling and walking.

Ms Renuka added that some of the initiatives began on World Environment Day (June 5); now, once a month all the air-conditioners at the Bangalore office are switched off and windows opened.

Lifts are shut down once a day in a month.

“Bosses get reminders if they forget to switch off lights, ACs and computers.”

Since the 2,700 employees’ families are involved, a total of one lakh people are covered by the effort.

“Even if they save one KW hour or one unit of electricity a month, we are talking of 10 MW hours saved, and therefore 10 tonnes of CO2 per month reduced.”

To monitor the exact amount of emissions reduced, the company plans to involve NGOs to carry out independent carbon audit every quarter.

“At the end of the year, we will give cash rewards to the employees who have contributed the maximum to this initiative.”

TCS has put in place a process that ensures e-waste disposal, a spokesperson said.

E-waste is disposed through three companies identified by it to ensure that toxins such as arsenic or cadmium do not contaminate the soil and all cartridges are returned to suppliers.

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