Nine prominent leaders from India have earned a spot on the inaugural 'Time 100 Climate' list by Time magazine, recognizing their significant roles in driving tangible climate action within the global business landscape.
The unveiling of this list, encompassing CEOs, founders, philanthropists, musicians, policymakers, and government officials from various corners of the world, precedes the forthcoming 2023 UN Climate Change Conference scheduled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30.
Time magazine highlighted its focus on climate leadership across its coverage and expressed the need to spotlight individuals shaping and propelling climate action.
Ajay Banga, who commenced his tenure as World Bank Group president in June, stands committed to reshaping the institution's mission by targeting poverty eradication while tackling climate change. His advocacy calls for increased funding to broaden the Bank's scope, aligning incentives and loans with projects aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development. Moreover, Banga is advocating for faster project approval processes to expedite the flow of billions of dollars to countries in need.
Bhavish Aggarwal leads the charge in electrifying India's roadways, particularly the 70% mopeds and scooters traversing its streets. As the CEO and co-founder of Ola Electric, the country's foremost electric two-wheel scooter manufacturer, Aggarwal's initiatives have driven advancements in micromobility, launching Ola's most affordable electric scooter priced at Rs 79,999 this year.
Rajiv J. Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, steers the organization's focus toward a climate-centric approach, ensuring all initiatives and investment strategies align with climate goals. This year, a collaboration with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet led to the Coal to Clean Credit Initiative, striving for a just transition from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy in emerging economies.
Geeta Aiyer, founder and president of Boston Common Asset Management, spearheads a sustainable investment firm with a climate change mitigation focus. Leveraging shareholder engagement, the firm pushes portfolio companies toward sustainable business practices.
Jigar Shah, director of the US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, oversees public investment in clean infrastructure and energy projects, emphasizing the attainability of decarbonization goals through proactive actions.
Manoj Sinha, CEO and co-founder of Husk Power Systems, successfully operates 200 minigrids across Asia and Africa, achieving profitability in India and Nigeria. Sinha emphasizes the necessity of uniform carbon tax legislation for impactful climate progress.
M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International (CI), collaborates with governments and corporations to conserve nature, predominantly in the Global South. His adeptness as a science communicator aids CI in forming influential partnerships for environmental preservation.
Seema Wadhwa, executive director for environmental stewardship at Kaiser Permanente, drives the healthcare provider's ambition to achieve net-zero status by 2050. Under her leadership, Kaiser Permanente's Santa Rosa office became the US's first net-zero medical facility this year.
Amit Kumar Sinha, managing director and CEO of Mahindra Lifespaces, steers the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group. The company has maintained an entirely green portfolio since 2013, prioritizing water efficiency, passive energy design, renewables, and sustainable practices.
(With Agency Inputs)
