In India, the Institute for Sustainable Communities, through the EHS+ Center and SME CleanTech project, has enabled factories to become more efficient, safe, clean, and cost efficient. The primary mission of the EHS+ Center is to provide high-quality, globally-vetted skills and technical expertise on energy efficiency, environment, health, and safety in the manufacturing sector.
With this core mission, the EHS+ Center is a key partner for sustainable manufacturing projects in India, including the SME CleanTech project supported by the MacArthur Foundation. While the EHS+ Center addressed the rising needs for systemic change in the Indian manufacturing sector through training, technical assistance, and capacity building, the SME CleanTech project advanced clean technology adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Both these projects have played an important role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring energy savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while directly improving health and safety conditions for workers.
The EHS+ Center with support from Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, trained 4,669 factory personnel, and engaged with 383 factories, resulting in Rs. 31,013,000/- (approx. 404605 USD) factory-made Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) investments and a reduced lifetime GHG emissions by 304,200 metric tons with an energy savings of 15,898 MWh.
The SME CleanTech project, on the other hand, has demonstrated a range of clean technologies in 115 factories showing a cumulative GHG reduction potential of 958,210 metric tons. The project has also driven innovative financial mechanisms and business models to accelerate clean technology adoption by SMEs in India through partnerships like the Energy Efficiency Services Limited’s “National Motor Replacement Program,” which aims to replace old motors with new IE3-rated motors.
Along with the numbers, the projects have published knowledge products, made key policy recommendations, built local partnerships, signed MOUs for an increased reach in the manufacturing sector and created a strong foundation for future projects to advance sustainable manufacturing in India.