In an exclusive interview with Renewable India, Mr. Pankaj Pandey, the Chief Operating Officer of EKI Energy Services Ltd., delved into the core initiatives and strategies undertaken by EKI to combat climate change and champion carbon offsetting. With over a decade of experience in pioneering environmental sustainability, EKI has emerged as a global leader in catalyzing climate action, offering innovative solutions tailored to the needs of businesses worldwide.
The interview was a success as Mr. Pandey threw light on so many core questions that not only made us understand the intricacies of the climate change and its global impact but also paved a path unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices.
At EKI, our mission since 2008 has been to pioneer environmental sustainability and forge a safer future. We’ve emerged as a global leader in canalizing climate action, empowering businesses worldwide to tackle their carbon footprint and achieve their climate goals.
Our suite of services covers the entire carbon asset management spectrum, offering consultancy and advisory solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. From carbon credit generation and supply to offsetting, our expertise spans over 15 years, driving substantial low emissions development.
As the sole listed company dedicated to climate action, we’re integral to the global carbon credit supply chain. Our consultancy services guide corporations in defining their carbon footprint, implementing in-house carbon neutrality measures and offsetting residual emissions with high-value carbon credits.
EKI is at the forefront of carbon reduction projects, bolstering the carbon credit supply chain while fostering community development. We prioritize projects that create employment in rural areas, enhancing livelihoods and sustainable growth.
With a client base of 3500+ across 40+ countries, we’ve mobilized over 200 million credits to date, showcasing our commitment to meaningful climate action.
Our services encompass:
EKI is committed to uplifting marginalized communities through impactful community-based projects, particularly those focused on providing energy-efficient alternatives. Our initiatives extend to rural and economically backward areas, where access to essential resources is limited.
One of our flagship programs, the Clean Cooking Initiative, launched in 2018, addresses the critical need for energy access in economically weaker households, especially in remote and underprivileged regions. Managed by our subsidiary GHG Reduction Technologies Pvt. Ltd., this initiative emphasizes sustainable growth and carbon-friendly practices.
At the core of these projects is our dedication to providing efficient and improved cookstoves to targeted communities at no cost. By investing in these initiatives, we not only empower communities with sustainable energy access but also generate carbon finance through emissions reduction. This innovative approach not only benefits the environment but also delivers significant co-benefits to the community.
Our community-based projects aim to alleviate the daily challenges faced by women in rural areas. By providing sustainable energy solutions, we enable women to engage in productive activities, thereby enhancing their economic well-being and addressing health concerns. The Clean Cooking Initiative significantly reduces emissions associated with traditional cooking practices, leading to a cleaner environment and improved health outcomes, particularly for women and children. With a manufacturing capacity of nearly 5 million cookstoves per year at our state-of-the-art facility in Nashik, India, EKI is a global leader in this space.
Additionally, our subsidiary GHG Reduction Technologies is pioneering large-scale manufacturing and supply of clean cooking devices for underprivileged communities in India and Africa. It has recently commenced manufacturing and deployment of ‘Surya Nutan’, a solar cooking solution for households, with technology transferred from IOCL. Furthermore, it has developed household-level HomeBiogas systems. GHG Reduction Technologies has also established its first biomass briquette manufacturing plant in Dindori, Nashik. Biomass briquettes, made from agricultural residues such as sugarcane trash, corn cob, soya husk, tamarind, and pomegranate waste, serve as a substitute for coal in boilers and furnaces. This plant is poised to revolutionize the biofuel industry.
While our initiatives are rooted in India, we are expanding our footprint across regions in Africa, South Asia, and East Asia. The Clean Cooking initiative exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship, community empowerment and sustainable business practices.
At EKI, our team of climate experts ensures the quality and integrity of the carbon credits through rigorous standards and protocols. As a distinguished carbon asset management service provider, EKI specializes in offering consultancy and advisory services to corporate entities globally. We maintain the quality of our carbon credits through adherence to internationally recognized standards, meticulous project monitoring and validation processes. Our extensive presence in over 17 countries ensures local expertise and regulatory compliance, reinforcing the integrity of our mitigation projects.
EKI Energy Services Ltd. adheres to a multitude of global standards in its carbon offset solutions, ensuring stringent compliance and driving impactful climate action. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in our adherence to esteemed standards such as CDM, VCS, Gold Standard, GCC, IREC, TIGR and others.
At EKI, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive expertise in these carbon standards and compliances. Our team of experts is adept at navigating the intricate nuances of each standard, ensuring not only compliance but also surpassing requirements to maximize positive impact.
To ensure adherence and proactive engagement with global standards, we maintain a multifaceted approach. This includes staying abreast of the latest developments and updates within the carbon standards landscape, actively participating in industry forums, regulatory bodies and collaborating with stakeholders. By contributing to these discussions, we position ourselves at the forefront of industry advancements and align our efforts with emerging global standards.
Moreover, our commitment extends beyond mere compliance. We invest in research and development to identify innovative technologies, methodologies and projects that can significantly contribute to climate initiatives. This proactive stance allows us to anticipate future trends, set higher benchmarks for environmental responsibility and actively shape the future of sustainable practices in the fight against climate change.
EKI employs a strategic approach to assist businesses and organizations worldwide in achieving their climate ambitions. We understand that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical for combating climate change and we offer comprehensive solutions to help our clients navigate this complex landscape effectively.
Our approach begins with a thorough assessment of our client’s carbon footprint and associated risks. Our team of climate experts helps clients gain a comprehensive understanding of their emissions, as well as the environmental impacts of their operations, products and services. This analysis forms the basis for setting clear targets and designing effective sustainability strategies.
With targets established, we work closely with our clients to create customized roadmaps for achieving their climate goals. These roadmaps prioritize actions to optimize efficiency, decarbonize supply chains and implement renewable energy solutions. Through this process, we empower our clients to make informed decisions and take meaningful steps towards reducing their carbon footprint.
Furthermore, EKI provides support throughout the entire lifecycle of carbon assets, including carbon credit generation, supply, monetization and offsetting. Our consultancy and advisory services enable clients to navigate the complexities of the carbon market and maximize the value of their carbon assets.
By providing tailored solutions and expert guidance, we empower our clients to achieve their climate ambitions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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At EKI, staying at the forefront of the climate industry is essential to our commitment to innovation and excellence. We employ a multifaceted approach to ensure we remain informed about the latest advancements and trends in the field.
We prioritize continuous learning and professional development within our team. Our experts actively participate in industry conferences, workshops, climate events and training programs across the globe to stay updated on emerging technologies, methodologies and best practices. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we empower our team to bring fresh insights and expertise to our clients.
Additionally, we maintain strong partnerships and collaborations with leading organizations, research institutions and industry experts. These strategic alliances enable us to exchange knowledge, share insights and collaborate on cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries of climate innovation.
We actively contribute to industry publications, forums, and thought leadership platforms to share our insights, research findings and perspectives on key climate issues. By doing so, we not only elevate our expertise but also contribute to the collective knowledge of the industry.
At EKI, transparency and accountability are integral to our operations, especially in carbon offsetting and community projects. We uphold these principles through rigorous monitoring, verification and reporting processes. For carbon offsetting, we adhere to internationally recognized standards and methodologies, ensuring the credibility and integrity of our projects. Similarly, in community projects, we maintain open communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates and engaging in participatory decision-making. Our commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through detailed documentation and public disclosure of project outcomes.
As we embark on the new financial year, EKI is poised to continue leading the charge in global decarbonization. Our overarching goal remains steadfast: to drive meaningful change through market-based instruments and innovative climate-positive initiatives.
To achieve this goal, we are committed to fostering strategic partnerships with leading brands in sustainability, policymakers and beyond. These collaborations enable us to enhance our services, leverage cutting-edge solutions and empower our clients with the latest advancements in sustainability. By leveraging the power of collaboration, we aim to expedite the journey towards a net-zero future. We are focusing our knowledge, expertise and resources in diversifying the business towards circular economy, taking the sustainability agenda beyond carbon to a more holistic environmental paradigm.
At the heart of our mission is the commitment to inspire communities and organizations to minimize their carbon footprint. We recognize that sustainability is a collective effort and we are dedicated to leading by example. This commitment is ingrained in our organizational culture, with a sustainability mindset integrated into all aspects of our operations.
In the coming year, EKI Energy Services will continue to innovate, collaborate, expand and inspire, as we work towards building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
The future of green credits holds immense promise for India’s net-zero journey, particularly with the announcement of the Green Credit Programme in last year’s budget. Aligned with the vision for ‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’ and ‘Panchamrit’, this initiative underscores India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The programme aims to mitigate climate change, enhance environmental conservation and boost energy and resource efficiency.
Under the Green Credit Programme, various types of credits such as Water Quality and Access Credits, Air Quality Credits, Forest & Ecosystem Credits, Waste Management Credits, Renewable Energy Generation Credits and Energy Efficiency Credits will be introduced. These credits, in addition to existing domestic and international carbon credits, will form a comprehensive framework to incentivize sustainable practices across sectors.
The implementation of the Green Credit Programme will be instrumental in advancing India’s green growth agenda and facilitating the transition towards a carbon-neutral future. By encouraging environmental stewardship and fostering energy transition, this initiative will play a pivotal role in realizing India’s sustainable goals and contributing to global efforts towards combating climate change.
At EKI, our recent projects reflect our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. One notable initiative is our collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote “Surya Nutan,” IOCL’s innovative indoor solar cooking system. Additionally, our subsidiary GHG Reduction Technologies Pvt Ltd inaugurated a bio-briquettes plant in Dindori, Maharashtar further advancing our efforts in sustainable energy solutions.
While these projects demonstrate our dedication to driving positive change, we are also actively engaged in various ongoing activities related to carbon asset management, community development and environmental sustainability.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the innovative projects we have in the pipeline. While we cannot disclose specific details at this time, rest assured that these initiatives align closely with our mission and values. Our team is diligently working on projects spanning carbon reduction, renewable energy solutions, circular economy and other sustainability areas, with a focus on responsible innovation and environmental impact.
As we continue to explore new frontiers in environmental responsibility, we appreciate the anticipation surrounding our upcoming projects. Stay tuned for updates as we strive to make meaningful contributions to the global sustainability landscape, driving positive change for generations to come.
Awareness around green credits can be created through targeted educational campaigns, engaging stakeholders across sectors and leveraging digital platforms for dissemination. Collaborating with research institutions, industry associations and community groups can help raise awareness. Additionally, utilizing social media, websites and other digital channels to share informative content and success stories can reach a wider audience. By fostering dialogue and highlighting the benefits of green credits, we can inspire individuals and organizations to embrace sustainable practices and participate in the green economy.
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