Tech and Sustainability: Forging a Future Together

Environmental sustainability must be prioritized, with technology playing a crucial role. The synergy between these realms is essential for reducing carbon footprints and enhancing ESG reporting, driving positive impact. As we navigate our interconnected world, the harmony between sustainability and technology will continue to shape our future.

- Mona Bharadwaj

As a kid in the 70s living in Bangalore, I remember the city vividly for its charming and serene atmosphere. Our family car was often the only vehicle on the road for miles, even though many neighbours owned cars. People preferred walking, even for relatively long distances. We walked everywhere, enjoying the sprawling parks that earned Bangalore its title as the Garden City. For several decades, this unhurried pace of life persisted. Sustainability was merely a word in the dictionary, an abstract concept that held little significance in our day-to-day lives.

Then, rapid and profound changes started reshaping the landscape and introducing new dynamics into our daily lives. The Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG) Reforms in 1991, marked a significant shift in India’s economic policy. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rapid expansion of internet connectivity across India. The proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet in the 2010s further accelerated India’s digital transformation. Various government initiatives such as “Make in India,” “Digital India,” and “Startup India,” have played a crucial role in attracting foreign investment and fostering a startup ecosystem.

Today, Bangalore, like many cities around the world, has transformed into a bustling hub of technological innovation. Not only it is home to many large multinational companies but is also a global hub for startups. This shift brought great benefits—enhanced connectivity, improved access to information, and fuelled economic growth. However, it also presented new challenges, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability, a phenomenon most cities experiencing exponential growth have faced.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION WITH SUSTAINABILITY

The synergy between technology and sustainability is pivotal in addressing global environmental challenges.