In this thought-provoking interview, Mr. Sharad Pungalia, MD & CEO of Amplus Solar, delves into the company's approach to sustainability. Beyond the environmental benefits of solar installations, Amplus prioritizes the long-term economic and social well-being of the communities it serves. He sheds light on how Amplus balances initial costs with lasting impact, measures the success of its CSR initiatives, and fosters genuine community partnerships for a sustainable future.
Mr. Pungalia offers a nuanced perspective on the company's commitment to sustainability and their dedication to the communities they serve.
Scroll down to read the full interview:
Q. While Amplus' solar installations are commendable for promoting green energy, how does the company balance the initial costs of these projects with ensuring long-term sustainability and economic feasibility for the communities involved?
A. Communities experience varied advantages based on the objectives of solar installations. In industrial settings, these installations foster job creation, enhancing the local economic ecosystem. When integrated into community development initiatives, solar projects yield enduring benefits through sustained savings on electricity bills throughout their lifespan. Furthermore, diminishing reliance on the grid ensures consistent access to power, fortifying community resilience.
Q. How does the organization measure the success and impact of its CSR initiatives beyond quantitative data (e.g., number of solar lamps distributed)? Could qualitative aspects like community perception and empowerment be factored in?
A. Certainly. The efficacy of any community endeavour, be it monetary benefit or product distribution or the provision of long-term services, is gauged by the resultant impact it generates. Given that the majority of our community engagements centre around our plants, we maintain sustained involvement with these communities and are able to assess the impacts of our interventions.
Q. While Amplus demonstrates diverse CSR efforts, how does the company decide which initiatives to prioritize and scale up across different communities it operates in? Does the company risk neglecting specific communities by focusing on others?
A. CSR efforts at Amplus so far have been primarily driven by the necessity of a situation. From offering medical assistance and distributing masks during the pandemic to helping communities with winter distributions or school aids, our CSR efforts prioritize the needs. When we decided to have a solar installation at an orphanage in Coimbatore or a school in Jhansi, the idea was to be able to help in a way that actually helps these kids gain the experience of a solar plant in addition to the direct benefit of access to competitive yet reliable electricity. We endeavour to adopt inclusive CSR plans/programs which can benefit the ultimate needy, rather than targeting or neglecting specific communities.
Q. To what extent does the establishment involve the local communities in the planning and implementation of its CSR initiatives? How can the company ensure its interventions are truly driven by the needs and aspirations of the communities, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term sustainability?
A. Considering that most of our CSR efforts so far have been revolved around the communities that we work with, there is a good percentage of local involvement in terms of understanding the need. The proposals are thoroughly assessed for aim, impact, and authenticity. At times we even seek support/guidance from the local administration/people representatives to identify appropriate projects aimed to achieve long-term sustainable solutions to the pressing requirements.
Q. How do you integrate core sustainability principles into the core business operations, beyond the CSR initiatives? Are there aspects of its business model that could be further improved to minimize environmental and social impacts?
A. We are privileged to operate within a business framework inherently committed to sustainability. Each project we undertake plays a pivotal role in mitigating CO2 emissions, aligning with our overarching environmental goals. Moreover, we also make a diligent effort to deploy technologies/practices which can further the environment conservation, like including tree plantations at our project sites, deployment of dry robotic cleaning systems in water-scarce regions, etc. In addition to such project-level initiatives, we also encourage numerous incidental initiatives, which can lead to minimizing the environmental impacts like preference to virtual meetings, use of digital visiting cards, discourage usage of single use plastic in our offices, etc.
Q. How does the organization collaborate with other organizations (NGOs, government bodies) to leverage expertise and resources for maximizing the impact of its CSR initiatives? Are there possibilities for creating broader partnerships to tackle larger-scale sustainable development challenges?
A. Collaborating with other organizations, including NGOs and government bodies, is a common strategy for maximizing the impact of CSR initiatives. They have the expertise, resources, and scale to help organizations like ours realize their community development plans. Additionally, in many cases, access to local communities and regulatory compliance becomes easier when working with NGOs. We identify common goals, establish objectives, and map the experience and expertise to create such multistakeholder partnerships. We recently engaged with a local NGO to help us plant 10000 trees at the site of Project JAI in the village of Jaimalsar, Bikar, Rajasthan. Yes, there are possibilities of long-term associations and while there are infinite examples of such partnerships, At Amplus, we approach these initiatives on a case-to-case basis at present.
Q. How is the establishment innovating its CSR approach to address emerging social and environmental challenges in the communities it operates in? How does it ensure its CSR efforts contribute to a long-term vision for sustainable development and community well-being?
A. #WithYouAtTheCore has been the guiding philosophy at Amplus. It means that we keep all our stakeholders, including the communities in which we operate, at the core of every decision and action we take. As part of our CSR, we wish to go that extra mile to empower the communities we touch with more than just monetary benefits or temporary relief. By operating closer to these communities, we wish to continue addressing the salient development imperatives of livelihood and employability, education, infrastructure, health, and inclusive growth.
Q. While Amplus may gain positive public relations and enhance its reputation through its CSR efforts, how does the company measure the success of these initiatives beyond its PR value? How can the organisation ensure its CSR initiatives are genuinely driven by a desire to make positive social and environmental changes rather than solely for reputational benefits?
A. We have integrated our CSR approach with our core values and have relied on actual ground presence to analyze the effort and impact of our CSR initiatives. We adhere rigorously to ethical business practices and apply principles of corporate governance throughout CSR implementation, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and integrity in all actions and decisions. By embracing such strategies along with having a long-term vision for sustainable development, we have managed to contribute to community development over and above reputational benefits.
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