India Inc more open about carbon footprint

Some of the top firms in India have become more forthcoming about sharing data on their carbon emissions and proactive about mitigating them.

Some of the top firms in India have become more forthcoming about sharing data on their carbon emissions and proactive about mitigating them.

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The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 2010 for India, released on Thursday, had sent questionaires to 200 companies in India. Of the 51 that responded, 85% shared their emission levels as against 62% last year and 33% in 2008.

In the last three years, emission levels have increased almost four-fold to 114 million tonnes, compared to 68.9 million tonnes in 2009 and 36.3 million tonnes in 2008.

Mahindra and Mahindra, Wipro, Larsen & Turbo, Ambuja Cement Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services, HSBC and Yes Bank were among the respondents.

There has also been a rise — from 26% in 2008 to 46% in 2010 — in companies reporting tertiary activities such as business travel, waste generation and disposal, courier and logistics.

“Green house emissions must be measured to be managed,” said Paul Simpson, chief executive officer, CDP, London.

Ten firms said they saved Rs 3,933 million along with emission reduction of 6.2 million metric tonnes of carbon equivalent.