Pic: INPIX-RM/IndiaPicture

Here are ways through which India Inc can strike a balance between preserving the planet and generating revenues to serve a bigger organisational purpose.

Since the crumbling state of the environment makes it impossible to ignore its preservation, every organisation today is looking to achieve a sweet blend between saving the planet while still securing profits. Such obligations, however, would not seem as intimidating if one understood that both processes could, in fact, act complimentary to each other, if done right. Environmentally-friendly initiatives can directly and positively influence a company's bottom- as well as its top-line. "There are two aspects to a corporation being environmentally-friendly: products delivered to the market and its own operations. By delivering products that are best in efficiency, lowest in emissions, use least amount of hazardous materials, the corporation is signing up for long-term success economically and environmentally. Regarding its operations, the measures would include energy-efficient buildings, efficient lighting, waste-heat recovery, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, composting for lawns from food waste, etc, which provide long-term economic benefits in terms of cost reduction, but primarily add value to the company brand," explains Gopichand Katragadda, general manager, India engineering operations, GE Energy Infrastructure.

A survey conducted in 2011 by National Geographic studied 17,000 consumers in 17 countries to compile a Consumer Greendex that revealed Indian consumers to be the most eco-friendly. This, in turn, reveals the tremendous scope and need for greener products in the Indian market. "Although consumers are very price-conscious, they will opt for eco-friendly products that are a slightly higher in initial cost, but reduce lifecycle cost.  Hence, selling a product at a lower cost even if its production cost is slightly higher, proves to be extremely advantageous in a more subtle and an intangible manner. Building upon a corporate brand that is associated with sustainability and environment consciousness, in turn, helps improve upon your top-line," says P S Narayan, VP, Ecoeye, social and community initiatives, Wipro.

Also, "Low carbon energy markets are growing at a much faster rate than the normal business.  The right strategy to enter these growth markets can positively impact the top- and bottom-line of businesses. Moreover, the improved operational efficiency further reduces costs, thus improving the company's bottom-line," opines Dr Armin Bruck, MD, Siemens Ltd.

Making a profit from the healthy shift indeed makes it an even more attractive prospect; even though the satisfaction of doing one's part in saving the planet is quite attractive by itself.

- Tanya Thomas

The writer can be reached at Tanya.thomas@timesgroup.com