Climate Change is accelerating at a rapid pace and the pledge to limit global warming to 1.5°C will require even greater coordination and cooperation among the world leaders. Industries, being the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, play a crucial role in the global movement towards decarbonization. They are not only responsible for a significant carbon footprint but also face the brunt of climate impacts through disrupted supply chains, increased operational costs, and stringent regulatory pressures. Unchecked growth in emissions by the industries could directly affect the world economy as well. Implementing sustainable and eco-friendly practices in all parts of the operations should be the priority of each industry now.
In Nepal, the electricity produced can not fulfill the huge energy demands of the industries. Frequent power cuts are a significant challenge for industries, disrupting their operations and increasing reliance on diesel generators. This further increases their carbon footprint and operational costs, leaving negative impacts on both the environment and the economy.
To address the issues of climate change and promote sustainable practices within the industrial sector, Gham Power collaborated with Global Compact Nepal to organize an awareness event titled ‘Why Industries Must Go Green’ on April 17, 2024. The primary objective of this event was to raise awareness about the importance of adopting sustainable practices in the industrial sector. The event welcomed more than 40 attendees from industry leaders, commercial business owners, sustainability-focused institutions, renewable energy-centric organizations and many more.
The Emcee of the event, Apeksha Shah, formally kicked off the event by emphasizing the critical importance of industries transitioning to green alternatives to combat climate change. Following that, Pradeep Man Vaidya, President of Global Compact Nepal, welcomed attendees and underscored the organization’s commitment to advancing sustainable development goals. The event’s agenda then focused on important updates from the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference presented by Rashmi KC (Program Manager at Global Compact Nepal) highlighting the ongoing and planned global initiatives. The next session was Anjal Niraula’s presentation on why industries must adopt greener practices. As CEO of Gham Power Nepal, Anjal Niraula shared about sustainable energy solutions and their impact on reducing carbon footprints. He also shared examples of various industries in Nepal that are transitioning to greener alternatives for electricity and encouraged the businesses present to adopt sustainable practices for a secure future. The presentation sparked a floor discussion among enthusiastic attendees, who exchanged ideas and strategies for implementing green initiatives within their organizations.
The event wrapped up with a powerful call for industries to integrate green and clean energy solutions and to prioritize sustainability in their operations. It highlighted the critical need to reduce carbon footprints and transition to renewable energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change. By adopting sustainable and renewable energy practices, industries not only contribute to these efforts but also set a positive example for others to follow.
Contributed by – Aakriti Timilsena, Marketing Assistant