Interview with Anup Garg, Founder and Director of World of Circular Economy (WOCE)

An exclusive interview with Anup Garg, Founder and Director of World of Circular Economy (WOCE)

Welcome to this exclusive interview with Anup Garg, a visionary trailblazer in the realm of sustainable innovation and circular economy practices. As the Founder and Director of the World of Circular Economy (WOCE), Anup Garg has spearheaded a paradigm shift in the way we perceive and engage with our global economy.

With an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and a passion for reimagining business models, Garg’s insights have ignited transformative change across industries. In this conversation, we delve into his profound expertise, illuminating the path to a more regenerative and harmonious future through the lens of circular economy principles.

Can you provide an overview of WOCE Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and its partnership with EKI Energy Services Ltd.? How do the  organizations collaborate to offer end-to-end sustainability solutions?

Anup Garg: WOCE Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a global leader in end-to-end sustainability solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services that empower businesses to embrace sustainable practices. Our partnership with EKI Energy Services Ltd. is a strategic collaboration that combines our strengths in advisory, technology, and carbon markets.

Together, we offer a holistic approach to sustainability, guiding organizations towards net-zero emissions.

WOCE is described as a “one-stop shop” for sustainability solutions. Could you elaborate on the range of Advisory and Consulting Services, Products and Solutions, and Global Carbon Offset Solutions that you provide?

Anup Garg: WOCE’s “one-stop shop” approach encompasses a wide array of offerings:

Advisory and Consulting Services: We provide strategic guidance, helping organizations align their operations with sustainable practices. This includes roadmap development, target setting, and sustainability education.

Products and Solutions: Our innovative products include Carbon Ledger and Carbon Book for real-time carbon tracking, Green APIs for seamless integration of environmental data, and Carbon Certificate Management (CCM) for efficient carbon credit trading. Recently, we have added a new service called Carbon Accounting as a Service, which equips businesses to play an active role in reducing carbon emissions and accelerating India’s journey to achieve net-zero by 2070

Global Carbon Offset Solutions: We enable organizations to offset their carbon footprint by supporting certified environmental projects, contributing to global climate action.

With an impressive clientele spanning over 40 countries, could you share some examples of how WOCE and EKI are helping businesses make significant contributions to global climate action through your sustainability solutions?

Anup Garg: Through our collaboration, we are striving to help diverse businesses contribute to global climate action. Due to non-disclosure agreements, we can’t announce names of businesses we are currently helping.  

However, we take pride in the fact that our clients are now able to achieve accurate carbon footprint measurement across multiple locations, enabling them to implement targeted reduction strategies and improve their environmental performance.

Noticing our potential, Wipro and Carbon Market Association of India, joined hands with WOCE towards their clients’ and members’ sustainability journey, respectively.

The software-based products you offer, such as Carbon Ledger, Carbon Book, Green APIs, and Carbon Certificate Management (CCM), sound innovative. How do these solutions make it easier for businesses to measure, monitor, and offset their emissions? Can you provide a specific use case to illustrate their impact?

Anup Garg: Our software-based products streamline carbon management:

Carbon Ledger and Carbon Book: These tools provide real-time insights into emissions, enabling businesses to track and analyze data efficiently, leading to informed reduction strategies.

Green APIs: These interfaces seamlessly integrate environmental data into existing systems, simplifying emission tracking and facilitating informed decision-making.

Carbon Certificate Management (CCM): This solution simplifies the process of carbon credit trading, allowing organizations to offset emissions while supporting impactful sustainability projects. For instance, a manufacturing company used Carbon Ledger to monitor emissions from its production processes, and through data-driven insights, they identified areas for improvement, leading to a significant reduction in emissions.

Green APIs seem to be a versatile tool for various industries. How do these APIs work, and can you share an example of how they have been customized to compute and offset emission footprints in different sectors like Oil & Gas, Utilities, Hospitality, Logistics, and Retail?

Anup Garg: Green APIs seamlessly integrate environmental data into diverse sectors:

a) Oil & Gas: Green APIs can capture emissions from exploration activities, refining processes, and transportation, enabling companies to monitor and reduce their carbon footprint.

b) Utilities: These APIs can integrate energy consumption data, helping utilities track emissions associated with electricity generation and distribution.

c) Hospitality: Green APIs can incorporate data from energy consumption, waste generation, and water usage, aiding hotels in managing and reducing their environmental impact.

d) Logistics: By integrating with transportation management systems, Green APIs track vehicle movements, optimizing routes, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable logistics.

e) Retail: These APIs can include data on energy consumption and supply chain emissions, allowing retailers to measure their total carbon footprint and implement reduction strategies.

How over 50 accreditations have contributed to building credibility and trust in your sustainability solutions among your clients and partners?

Anup Garg: Our accreditations from renowned bodies such as UNFCCC and VERRA reinforce our credibility:

a. They validate the accuracy and reliability of our carbon measurement, offsetting, and trading processes.

b. Accreditations demonstrate adherence to industry standards, fostering trust among clients and partners in the transparency and authenticity of our solutions.

c. These endorsements showcase our commitment to maintaining the highest level of professionalism and ethical practices in the sustainability field.

Achieving net zero emissions is a significant goal for many businesses. How has WOCE played a role in accelerating businesses’ journey toward achieving net zero emissions through your services and products?

Anup Garg: WOCE accelerates net zero journeys through tailored strategies:

i. We guide businesses in setting achievable emission reduction targets and developing comprehensive roadmaps.

ii. Our software tools provide real-time data insights, enabling efficient carbon tracking and management.

iii. Carbon offset solutions and carbon credit trading help businesses neutralize their remaining emissions, contributing to their net zero goals.

Sustainability and a commitment to a better future are central to WOCE’s mission. Can you share some of the specific initiatives or projects that reflect this commitment and your vision for a sustainable future?

Anup Garg: Our initiatives and projects exemplify our commitment to sustainability:

a) Our mobile app, Carbon Book, empowers individuals to make eco-friendly choices in their daily lives.

b) Our latest partnership with Carbon Market Association of India (CMAI) aims to establish a robust carbon credit market in India, aligning with the country’s net-zero commitment.

c) Our latest product is Carbon Accounting as a Service (CAaas)- which allows organizations to outsource their carbon accounting needs to a team of experts. By leveraging specialized services, CAaaS empowers businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring accurate carbon measurement, reporting, and reduction strategies- towards carbon-neutral journey of the country

d) Our vision is a world where sustainability is ingrained in every business’s DNA, creating a greener and more prosperous future.

Could you provide a success story or case study that highlights the impact of WOCE’s sustainability solutions on a particular business or industry?

Anup Garg: One latest success story involves a manufacturing company:

i. By using Carbon Ledger, they tracked emissions from their production processes.

ii. Data insights led to targeted changes in their operations, resulting in a significant reduction in their carbon footprint.

iii. This transformation improved the company’s environmental reputation, lowered costs, and demonstrated their commitment to sustainability.

Collaboration and innovation often drive change in the sustainability landscape. How does WOCE collaborate with other organizations, industry stakeholders, and experts to advance the cause of sustainability?

Anup Garg: We collaborate extensively to drive change:

a) With industry associations like CMAI, we work towards creating sustainable ecosystems and carbon markets.

b) Collaboration with partners like Wipro enhances our offerings, combining expertise for innovative solutions.

c) Thought leadership participation in conferences and forums fosters dialogues on sustainable practices.

Looking ahead, what are WOCE’s aspirations for the future? How do you plan to continue driving meaningful change and making a positive impact on global sustainability?

Anup Garg: Our aspirations encompass a holistic approach to global sustainability:

1) We aim to expand our reach, empowering more businesses across diverse sectors and geographies to adopt sustainable practices.

2) Innovation remains at the core of our strategy, as we continue to develop cutting-edge solutions that address emerging challenges in carbon management and sustainable development.

3) Strengthening collaborations with governments and industry leaders, we envision creating a ripple effect that transforms industries and fosters collective action for a greener future.

4) Education and awareness initiatives will remain pivotal, as we strive to elevate the understanding of sustainability and inspire greater participation in climate action.

5) Our long-term goal is to contribute significantly to achieving global climate targets, advancing the transition towards a carbon-neutral and environmentally responsible world.

Lastly, what advice would you give to businesses seeking to embrace sustainability and take active steps towards creating a greener future?

Anup Garg: Embracing sustainability requires a comprehensive approach:

• Understand why sustainability is important and how each business can contribute to India’s net-zero journey
• Begin with a thorough assessment of your operations and supply chain to identify areas for improvement.
• Set clear and achievable sustainability goals that align with your business values and industry standards.
• Leverage technology and data-driven insights to measure, track, and manage your carbon footprint effectively.
• Engage employees, customers, and stakeholders to create a culture of sustainability within your organization.
• Collaborate with experts and partners to access specialized knowledge and resources.
• Remember that sustainability is an ongoing journey – start with small, impactful changes and build upon them over time.

By following these steps, businesses can not only contribute to a greener future but also unlock opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced brand reputation.

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