Network Insights: Rakesh Bhatia on Achieving Net Zero Results

GNFZ’s partners play a crucial role in empowering people and organizations to accelerate the realization of a zero emissions world, and in achieving our vision of lasting equitable and global living standards serving people and the planet. By engaging with the GNFZ network, our partners steward clients through the process of achieving and maintaining net zero certification.

Which is why we’re excited to share insights from an interview with Rakesh Bhatia, Senior Vice President at Ecofirst. Ecofirst is one of GNFZ’s partners, delivering best-in-class decarbonization solutions to their clients.

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Rakesh Bhatia, Senior Vice President at Ecofirst

What type of work does Ecofirst do, and how does Ecofirst implement and sustain its vision of sustainable communities for present and future generations?

The founding father of the TATA conglomerate, Mr. Jamsetji Tata, once said, “In a free enterprise the community is not just another stakeholder in business but is in fact the very purpose of its existence.” We carry that value across all TATA companies, including Ecofirst. As a leader in sustainable integrated design services in India, our core ethos is to build a community-centric landscape with designs that focus on better quality of life.

In addition to our suite of sustainability services which includes climate risk assessment and helping our clients achieve optimum resource efficiency on energy, waste, water and carbon, we also have a focus on the restoration and repair of heritage buildings.

As an SVP at Ecofirst, what role do you play and what is your own vision for the company?

My core responsibilities revolve around envisioning strategy, marketing, sales and key account management and also assisting our management leadership to achieve best-in-class results. Together, we are building an enterprise that keeps a close tab on the pulse of market, is aligned with national decarbonization goals, drives greater efficiencies for our clients and focuses on continuous learning and development for our teams.

Please elaborate on Ecofirst’ s commitment toward enabling net zero emissions for its network of partners and clients in India.

Ecofirst designs, implements, commissions and sustains net zero emissions in full alignment with what our client envisions. We understand reaching net zero for any project is not an overnight journey, so we take an approach that is practical and within the client’s scope of resources and their timeline.

In addition to partnering with the Global Network for Zero, Ecofirst is also a strong supporter of like-minded stakeholders including IGBC, GRIHA, AEEE, LEED, EDGE and WELL.

We understand reaching net zero for any project is not an overnight journey, so we take an approach that is practical and within the client’s scope of resources and their timeline.

You have worked extensively in the hospitality and healthcare – both sectors are energy intensive and have round-the-clock resource requirements. How do you think these sectors can best limit their emissions and contribute to national decarbonization goals?

The hospitality and healthcare sectors demand a focus specifically on Scope 3 emissions as they are driven by people who come in to occupy premises from across cities and countries for varying periods of time. To tackle that, it is important to incorporate lean design principles, onsite and offsite renewable energy, and the measurement and verification of data through the use of AL/ML technology.

Given your expertise and experience, how can India achieve net zero carbon emissions earlier than its pledge date of 2070?

The current reports by the Indian Government at COP28 are encouraging as far as India commitments on climate change. However, there is a long way to go before we reach the stated goals. A few important areas where multiple stakeholders can contribute include energy transition to renewables, the strengthening of regulatory policies, and making better use of current technological innovations, green industrial practices, and green mobility. We also need to improve international collaboration and public awareness.

As GNFZ’s partner in India, how do you see Ecofirst and GNFZ’s partnership adding value to its combined network of clients and contributing to the national net zero goals?

Both organizations come with their unique strengths that can be leveraged to offer clients the highest quality execution and acceleration toward achieving net zero. Our combined team of experts come with decades of experience working on marquee projects all over the world with outstanding results.

What is it that you hope to bring to the GNFZ platform and what specific advantages does Ecofirst bring for GNFZ’s clients in India?

Ecofirst is in strong alignment with GNFZ’s vision of an emissions-free world and we are happy to utilize their platform to achieve net zero results for our clients. Our TATA ecosystem of global clients and projects gives us a unique expertise and lens on large-scale projects, smart cities and infrastructure and a wide array of decarbonization opportunities.