As the world unites to celebrate World Environment Day, the focus this year shifts to embedding sustainability into technology, operations, and workforce strategies. Leaders across industries have called for urgent action to address the environmental challenges posed by technological and industrial advancements.
Also read: On Earth Day 2025, Business Leaders Call for Action for a Sustainable Future
Anuj Khurana, Co-Founder and CEO of Anaptyss, emphasises the importance of sustainability in the BFSI sector, which has witnessed rapid digital transformation. “With aggressive technology transformation efforts in the BFSI industry over the past few years, the need for sustainable operations has become even more pertinent. There is an urgent call for organizations to not just focus on digitization, but approach their tech integration journeys in a way that reduces the environmental footprint and builds long-term resilience. There is a critical need to rethink how everyday operations impact the planet, including the rising concerns around plastic-heavy, paper-dependent legacy systems or energy-intensive cloud and automation deployment. Organizations across the sector are adopting measures that are helping them embed sustainability within the fabric of digital transformation. In tandem, there is an increased focus on green job profiles within the sector, with companies hiring specialists to enable their sustainable development journeys. In fact, the BFSI sector by itself is expected to add close to 0.7 million green jobs over the next 5 years, fundamentally fast-tracking responsible innovation in the ecosystem,” he said.
Darshil Shah, Founder and Director of TreadBinary, stresses on the pertinence of integrating sustainability into technological advancements. “On World Environment Day, we’re reminded that sustainability isn’t a separate goal—it must be embedded into every system we create. Technology may shape our future, but it’s our respect for the environment that will determine whether that future is one we can sustain. When applied thoughtfully, technology can reduce waste, optimize resources, and reimagine processes once dependent on overuse. From minimizing material excess in manufacturing to replacing paper-heavy workflows with digital systems, the path to a greener tomorrow lies in building solutions that are not just smart but deeply responsible,” said Shah.
Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing at TeamLease Services, highlighted the transformative impact of renewable energy on both India’s energy landscape and workforce dynamics: “The renewable energy that is helping to reduce India’s reliance on its fossil fuel power plants is not changing just the country’s energy landscape, it is also creating a transformation to the country’s workforce. At TeamLease, we have witnessed a 25% + CAGR in demand for green energy roles between FY24 to FY25. However, a very high attrition of over 30% and a majority of the talent pool in the 26-36 years segment, the industry is grappling with a twin problem of growth and skilling needs. If we are to keep pace with the energy transition, we must match our action with an equally ambitious talent transition.”
Padmakumar Nair, Founder and CEO of Ennoventure Inc., shed light on the potential for technology-driven sustainability in the packaging sector on World Environment Day. “As environmental challenges grow more complex, the need for sustainable innovation across industries has become increasingly urgent. The packaging sector is a critical part of this transition, with significant potential for technology-driven solutions that reduce environmental impact. From minimizing waste to rethinking the use of materials, technology presents new opportunities to make packaging more responsible and efficient.
One area of development involves reimagining how packaging can serve dual purposes, such as ensuring product authenticity without relying on additional components like special inks, extra materials, or redesigns that may increase environmental burden. At Ennoventure, we believe that digital authentication can be a powerful enabler of sustainability. Traditional anti-counterfeiting methods often involve label redesigns, process changes, use of special inks, or additional machinery, all of which add to the environmental burden. By embedding a secure, invisible code directly into the packaging design, we eliminate the need for these extra materials, helping brands make more eco-conscious choices.
Technology also offers alternatives to practices that traditionally relied on resource-heavy components. For instance, printed instruction booklets can be replaced with digital e-leaflets that users access via their smartphones at the point of product verification, helping to lower paper consumption and associated emissions.
Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility that calls for practical, scalable solutions. When applied with intention, technology can help industries move toward more sustainable practices while addressing broader challenges such as consumer safety and supply chain transparency.”
Vishal Rajani, CEO of Synergos, highlighted the consumer’s role in sustainability. “We often think of sustainability as something brands handle behind the scenes. But the truth is, it involves everyone. And the missing piece is often the consumer. A brand might switch to renewable materials or cut plastic use entirely—but unless people know, care, and act, it won’t move the needle.
As marketers, we have a front-row seat to consumer behavior and a real shot at influencing it. We can turn a packaging change into a value statement. We can design loyalty programs that reward recycling, embed subtle nudges in packaging, offer personalized tips delivered through apps, push notifications that spotlight sustainable options, or digital receipts that suggest greener alternatives. Even something as simple as QR codes on packaging that educate and inspire action can spark change.
Tools like Google Ads and Meta’s platforms let us target eco-conscious audiences with precision. Programmatic ads reduce waste by ensuring sustainable messaging reaches the right context. And technologies like AI help analyze sentiment, fine-tune messaging, and track what resonates. Through the right digital mediums, we can turn passive consumers into active participants. It’s about connecting the dots between what a brand does and how a consumer can be part of it. That’s how we close the loop. And right now, our planet needs us to.”
Krishna Rangasayee, CEO and Founder of SiMa.ai, discussed the environmental impact of AI and the potential of edge computing. “Technology has always shaped our world, and now it’s shaping the one we hope to preserve. As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, so does its hunger for computing power, straining data centers and significantly increasing emissions. AI accelerators like GPUs are driving this surge, raising valid concerns about our long-term environmental impact.
The semiconductor industry, which is at the heart of this challenge, also holds a crucial key to the solution. While GPUs are indispensable for many complex AI tasks, not all AI needs to live in massive data centers. By strategically deploying AI on the edge, we can significantly reduce the energy footprint. This means running AI where it’s needed – on devices, in factories, or closer to the data source – rather than routing everything back to a central cloud. This approach not only cuts energy consumption but also reduces latency and enhances data privacy. This is at the center of what we at SiMa.ai does!
Looking ahead, the goal is clear: to build technology that drives progress responsibly. The future of innovation must be sustainable, and by strategically integrating AI at the edge and continuously improving chip efficiency, we can ensure that the planet isn’t an afterthought in our race toward advancement.”
