Raipur: Decarbonisation India Alliance (DIA), an ambitious action-oriented project aimed at accelerating India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy, was launched in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday, 14 June. In the following months, DIA will be established in 10 cities across India, with a focus on uniting industry leaders dedicated to achieving India’s net-zero goal by 2070.
Initiated by the Society of Energy Engineers and Managers (SEEM), along with enabling partner Asar Social Impact Advisors (Asar) and emerging technologies partner India Blockchain Alliance (IBA), DIA seeks to bring together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, MSMEs, service providers, academia, financial institutions, civil society organisations, and state departments to drive India’s decarbonisation efforts. Led by a voluntary network, this initiative will act as a platform that champions engineers who are at the frontline of implementing change in industries that will need to decarbonise as well as those who can create products and services that will catalyse this decarbonisation.
The inaugural event in Raipur was attended by key dignitaries including Shri Sumit Sarkar, CEO, Biofuels Authority of Chhattisgarh, Shri Rajesh Singh Rana, CEO, Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA), Shri Soumya Garnaik, Regional Lead, Global Green Growth Initiative, and Shri Rajeev Gyani, Superintending Engineer, CREDA.
Once operational, DIA seeks to enable stakeholders involved in implementing and shaping energy solutions to collaborate and achieve real world outcomes. The alliance seeks to foster innovation, share best practices, and align efforts to
address the needs of enterprises seeking to take action and reduce their emissions, thus catalysing solutions that enable India to reach its goals of net-zero by 2070.
Chhattisgarh which connects two economic corridors – Raipur-Dhanbad and Raipur-Visakhapatnam – is industrialising at a fast pace today, connecting aspirational districts that have been economically backward and vulnerable for decades. The successful establishment of DIA in Raipur will support more than 80,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Chhattisgarh with:
● Emission reduction by helping them choose appropriate services that can maximise outcomes from energy audits, systems and process improvements, renewable energy interventions, as well as engaging in meaningful discussions to achieve industrial emission intensity targets.
● Training and capacity building: by facilitating training programmes for auditors, sector experts, industries, entrepreneurs, and others.These programmes will aim to identify and promote energy champions and provide an avenue for skill development and employment
● Certification and awards: DIA certification will be available for manufacturers, vendors, public sector entities, engineers, energy auditors, and products to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy for a low-carbon growth trajectory.
● A networking platform and a bridge between new technology developers and energy users. It facilitates the exchange of ideas, innovations, and best practices between technology providers and industries, enabling the adoption of cutting-edge solutions for decarbonisation.
● Research and advocacy: by promoting research in areas such as energy efficiency penetration, implementation of schemes at the state and national levels, adoption of renewable energy technologies, cleaner technologies, recycling technologies, and estimation and accounting of GHG reduction – aimed at providing meaningful inputs to policy bodies to formulate effective policy frameworks and inform advocacy for wider systemic changes.
● Profiling Champions: by supporting strategic communication of success stories within the network and creating awareness on the issue. Sumit Sarkar, CEO, Biofuels Authority of Chhattisgarh, launching the DIA website, and the 10-city decarbonisation campaign, said, “Chhattisgarh is aiming for a comprehensive industrial policy with emphasis on green hydrogen and diverse
biofuels to enable decarbonisation efforts. The launch of the 10-city DIA event represents a pivotal moment in our collective effort to combat climate change.” G Krishnakumar, General Secretary, SEEM, stated, “The engagement and enthusiasm at Raipur launch event are testament to the environmental consciousness of entrepreneurs of Chhattisgarh to widespread adoption of net-zero landscape. DIA’s vision on supporting industries and commercial establishments, working in tandem with Chhittisgargh government, will accelerate the state’s stride towards net-zero.”
“Implementation of measures to reduce and avoid emissions is critical this decade. Ultimately the rubber hits the road when actual measures are taken to implement energy efficiency, electrical safety and clean energy transition mechanisms in enterprises. DIA is an initiative that seeks to play a role in catalysing the transition – we need to go beyond talk and ensure we act. This recent heatwave is a reminder for how important it is for us all to join hands and address this unfolding climate
crisis,” explained Vinuta Gopal, CEO, Asar Social Impact Advisors. After setting the stage for ongoing collaborations and innovation in Raipur, DIA will be launched in Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Sangrur, Hyderabad,
Ahmedabad, and Indore