1.       Green World

There has been a considerable increase in the average temperature of earth in the past century. This rise in temperature is attributed to the effects of global warming brought about by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The main culprit is the increased energy consumption which results in emission of pollutants particularly CO2 emissions. The natural calamities like typhoons, floods and changes in the sea levels are attributed to the CO2 fueled greenhouse effect. It is estimated that during the last 30 years the CO2 emissions have gone up by 73%.

The Kyoto Protocol, 1997, a UN agreement, which was signed by more than 160 countries including India, urges all countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from their 1990 levels by 2012 or pay a price. India is ranked fifth globally in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Many governments worldwide including India have taken action to cut energy consumption and emissions. India has committed to a reduction of 20-25% in carbon intensity from 2005 levels by 2020 through mandatory fuel efficiency standards.

The total quantum of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product is known as carbon footprint. It is expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide or its equivalent of other GHGs emitted.

A carbon credit refers to one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions avoided by the adoption of a certain practice when compared with a business-as-usual scenario. The ultimate goal for all companies is to become carbon-neutral, and the only way for most companies to achieve a zero footprint is through carbon offsets, which are essentially financial representations of a reduction in greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol allows carbon offsets as a way for countries or corporations to earn carbon credits that they can then trade in an open market. After achieving carbon neutral, the companies are encouraged to make money by selling their credits to other companies which are not carbon neutral.

World Bank is playing a major role in the carbon credit market and has rolled out Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or carbon trading in 2000. The concept of carbon trading arrived in India in 2002, and since then India has developed an attractive CDM portfolio with a market share close to 12%.

 2.     Green Telecom

It is estimated that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector accounts for 2% of global carbon emissions. Mobile telecom companies burn 2 billion litres of diesel every year to operate 33000 towers across India.  Nearly 50% of the towers are in rural India where availability of power is a major problem. It is either not available or supply is erratic. Even though the industry generates less pollution and tends to be relatively clean, it has its share of social responsibility by conserving energy and reducing emissions. The telecom industry requires energy to power and cool their BTS sites. The rapid growth of telecom industry during the last 10 years has resulted in increased energy costs and corresponding increase in CO2 emissions which is adversely affecting the environment.

google_ad_channel = “7940249670, ” + AB_cat_channel + AB_unit_channel;
google_language = “en”;
google_ad_region = ‘test’;

The author can be reached at vsmoni@hotmail.com. visit indiatelecomonline.com for more articles