In a remarkable display of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Infosys collaborated with SKP Sangha, a Karnataka-based NGO, to make a meaningful impact on over 7000 village households in Karnataka . The initiative involved the donation and installation of biogas plants, with Green Connect playing a pivotal role by supplying 450 of these eco-friendly solutions.
The primary aim of this expansive project was to alleviate the reliance on traditional firewood for cooking purposes, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and promoting carbon neutrality. Each biogas plant installed as part of the initiative produces an impressive 2 cubic meters of biogas daily. What makes this achievement even more significant is that 2 cubic meters of biogas are roughly equivalent to 1 kg of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Considering that 1 kg of LPG contains around 1.5 kg of carbon, all the 7000 biogas plants neutralize a staggering 10500 kg of carbon on a daily basis.
Extrapolating this over a year, an impressive 38 lakh kg of carbon is neutralized, with Green Connect contributing to this noble cause by neutralizing approximately 2.5 lakh kg of carbon with 450 biogas plants.
At the heart of this environmentally conscious initiative is the ingenious use of cow dung as a sustainable fuel source. Each day, approximately 50 kg of cow dung, mixed with water, serves as input for the biogas plants. Through the process of anaerobic digestion, the digestate generated produces biogas. This biogas is then connected to a specialized stove, providing a clean and efficient cooking fuel for the beneficiaries.
Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the project aligns with 11 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs achieved by biogas – No poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellness, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water and life on land. These goals encompass a broad spectrum of targets, ranging from poverty alleviation and gender equality to clean energy and responsible consumption. Therefore, the initiative not only uplifts rural communities but also aids corporates, like Infosys, in achieving their CSR objectives while making significant strides towards carbon neutrality.
The success of this venture highlights the potential for impactful collaborations between corporations, NGOs, and environmentally conscious entities like Green Connect. By leveraging innovative solutions such as biogas plants, these partnerships can become powerful drivers of positive change. Green Connect, in particular, takes pride in its role within this transformative activity, knowing that its contribution extends far beyond the installation of biogas plants—it resonates with a commitment to sustainability, social welfare, and a greener, more harmonious future for all.
