Indian Organisations Lead in Leveraging Technology for Sustainability, Kyndryl Study Reveals
A new study by Kyndryl, commissioned by Microsoft, reveals that 54% of Indian organisations are using technology to achieve their sustainability goals, significantly outpacing the global average of 21%. The study, which highlights trends in sustainability efforts across industries, shows that 31% of Indian businesses have ramped up their sustainability goals in the past year. Despite this progress, the study identifies key areas for improvement, including the underutilization of data for strategic decision-making and the need for stronger integration of AI to drive sustainability initiatives. Notably, 87% of Indian businesses do not fully leverage data from their sustainability efforts to guide transformation, and 51% fail to consider the environmental impact when implementing AI solutions.
Kyndryl’s Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer, Faith Taylor, emphasized that integrating sustainability into business strategy is crucial for long-term success. The study suggests that Indian businesses need to move from intent to action, embedding technology deeply into sustainability strategies to turn abstract goals into concrete plans. The findings also point to the growing importance of AI in energy monitoring and emissions reduction, though challenges remain in harnessing its full potential. As consumer demand for sustainable products rises, Indian organisations are urged to adopt a holistic approach that combines data, AI, and collective responsibility to meet both regulatory and customer expectations.
Editor’s Note: A Kyndryl study commissioned by Microsoft reveals that 54% of Indian organizations are leveraging technology to meet sustainability goals, significantly higher than the global average of 21%. However, the study also highlights areas for improvement, such as underutilizing data and AI, urging Indian businesses to integrate these technologies more effectively into their sustainability strategies.
Amara Raja Infra Completes India’s First Green Hydrogen Fuelling Station in Leh
Amara Raja Infra has successfully set up India’s first green hydrogen fuelling station in Leh, Ladakh, in partnership with NTPC, marking a significant step towards emission-free transport in the region. The fuelling station, with a production capacity of 80kg of green hydrogen per day, will enable the operation of five hydrogen fuel cell buses by NTPC, making India one of the few countries to lead in green mobility. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the facility, which was completed in two years despite the challenging high-altitude environment, with temperatures ranging from minus 25°C to 30°C.
The project, which involved designing, engineering, and commissioning the station, also includes three years of operation and maintenance. It is seen as a precursor to larger green hydrogen mobility and storage projects under India’s National Hydrogen Energy Mission. Amara Raja Infra’s successful execution of the project highlights its expertise in the green hydrogen infrastructure space, paving the way for further hydrogen fuelling stations across India. Dwarakanadha Reddy, Business Head of Power EPC at Amara Raja, expressed pride in the accomplishment, underscoring the company’s pioneering role in this field.
Editor’s Note: Amara Raja Infra, in partnership with NTPC, has successfully launched India’s first green hydrogen fuelling station in Leh, Ladakh, supporting the operation of five hydrogen fuel cell buses. The station, with a daily production capacity of 80kg of green hydrogen, marks a major milestone in India’s push for emission-free transport and is a key initiative under the National Hydrogen Energy Mission. Despite challenging conditions, the project was completed in two years, highlighting Amara Raja Infra’s leadership in green hydrogen infrastructure and paving the way for future developments across India.
Indian Agritech Sector Shows Strong Growth, with 19 Soonicorns and 40 Minicorns: RBI Report
A new Reserve Bank of India (RBI) paper highlights the growing potential of India’s agritech sector, noting the emergence of 19 soonicorns and 40 minicorns leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and innovative business models. While India has one unicorn in the agritech space, these startups are driving significant advancements in the agricultural landscape. The report, titled “Agri-Tech Startups and Innovations in Indian Agriculture,” underscores the increasing role of government support, R&D, and digital infrastructure in the growth of these startups. Investor interest in the sector surged between 2019 and 2021, with investments rising from $370 million to $1.25 billion, although it has moderated globally since then.
Despite these advancements, the paper cautions that agritech startups face significant challenges in scaling up, including fragmented landholdings and delayed revenue generation. The sustainability of these ventures depends heavily on the adoption of modern technologies by farmers. The Indian government is actively promoting agripreneurship through initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and various startup funds and incubators, which have been instrumental in the sector’s growth. The report emphasizes that while India’s agritech ecosystem has gained a notable share of global funding, further efforts are needed to overcome scaling challenges and ensure long-term success.
Editor’s Note: A new RBI report highlights the strong growth of India’s agritech sector, with 19 soonicorns and 40 minicorns leveraging AI and innovative models, backed by government support and rising investor interest. However, challenges remain in scaling up, including fragmented landholdings and delayed revenue generation, requiring further efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
India Set to Attract $3.8 Billion Investment in Data Centres by 2026, Driven by AI and Digital Growth
India’s digital transformation is accelerating, with artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and big data analytics driving a surge in data centre investments, projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2026, according to a new report by JLL. The explosive growth in AI technologies, from machine learning to natural language processing, is fueling an insatiable demand for data centres that can store and process vast amounts of data. As India’s internet user base exceeds 800 million, the country’s data consumption is soaring, putting immense pressure on its digital infrastructure. Government initiatives like Digital India are further accelerating the country’s shift towards a data-driven economy, emphasizing the urgent need for scalable, reliable data centre solutions.
The anticipated $3.8 billion investment will bolster India’s data centre infrastructure, particularly in major cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Key drivers include rising AI and cloud computing demand, edge computing expansion, and increasing interest in renewable energy-powered data centres. Real estate developers are capitalizing on this growth, with major players like Embassy Group and Brookfield entering the market to create large-scale data centre parks. This investment is set to not only strengthen India’s position as a data centre hub in Asia-Pacific but also provide long-term growth opportunities for the commercial real estate sector.
Editor’s Note: India is set to attract $3.8 billion in data centre investments by 2026, driven by the rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and big data analytics. The country’s soaring internet usage and data consumption, alongside government initiatives like Digital India, are creating a pressing need for scalable digital infrastructure. This investment will boost data centre infrastructure in key cities and provide long-term growth opportunities for both the tech and real estate sectors.
Gautam Adani Faces US Charges in Alleged $265 Million Bribery Scheme
Gautam Adani, the billionaire chairperson of Adani Group, and seven others have been charged in the United States with conspiring to pay $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure contracts for India’s largest solar power plant project. The charges, which include securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, were filed by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Adani is accused of using bribery to obtain solar contracts worth an estimated $2 billion over 20 years. US prosecutors allege that Adani deceived American investors by covering up these payments, with evidence including cell phone and messaging app records.
If convicted, Adani could face decades in prison along with significant monetary penalties. However, any potential extradition process would be complicated, as India’s court system would need to consider factors such as whether the alleged crimes are punishable under Indian law and whether the charges are politically motivated. Adani has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless,” and is yet to be arrested. The US legal system could involve a lengthy trial process, with Adani’s defense likely challenging the charges both procedurally and substantively, while also potentially seeking a plea deal with prosecutors.
Editor’s Note: Gautam Adani and seven others face US charges for allegedly paying $265 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure contracts for a major solar power project, with accusations of securities fraud and conspiracy. Adani denies the charges, and while a conviction could lead to prison time and penalties, extradition from India would be complicated due to legal and political considerations.
VinFast to Enter Indian Market in 2025; Explores Joint Venture with Adani and MEIL
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has announced its entry into the Indian market, with plans to showcase its EVs at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show in January. The company is in advanced discussions with the Adani Group and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) to form a joint venture aimed at raising capital and establishing a cost-effective component supplier base. VinFast is also exploring opportunities to leverage the partnership for navigating India’s regulatory landscape and labor relations. While talks are ongoing, neither Adani nor MEIL has confirmed the developments. VinFast plans to invest an initial $500 million in a production facility in Tamil Nadu to cater to both domestic and international markets.
VinFast is expected to launch its first Indian model, the VF e34 electric SUV, in 2025. The e-SUV will be locally assembled to achieve competitive pricing and is claimed to offer a range of around 300 km on a single charge, powered by a 110kW motor. The SUV supports fast charging, achieving 10% to 70% in just 27 minutes, and boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under nine seconds. The VF6 and VF7 models are also likely to follow. The VF e34, which has already been spotted testing on Indian roads, is set to compete in the growing EV market, aligning with India’s push toward sustainable mobility.
https://www.carlelo.com/news/vinfast-ev-at-bharat-mobility-show-2025-talks-with-adani-for-jv
Editor’s Note: VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, will enter the Indian market in 2025, showcasing its EVs at the Bharat Mobility Show and launching the VF e34 electric SUV. The company is in talks with the Adani Group and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. to form a joint venture, aimed at raising capital and navigating India’s regulatory landscape. VinFast plans to invest $500 million in a Tamil Nadu production facility to support both domestic and international markets, with additional models like the VF6 and VF7 expected to follow.