25 July 2025 at 11:52 pm IST
Technology companies in West Bengal, especially those operating in areas like artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, and cybersecurity, are urging the state government to introduce a green credit policy. The move would align with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) benchmarks and potentially attract increased investment into the region’s IT ecosystem. Industry stakeholders believe that providing incentives for sustainable practices could not only accelerate the adoption of net-zero models but also create new business opportunities. Some firms that have already implemented such models are actively monetizing their green credits, indicating strong potential for this to evolve into a standalone sector within the IT industry. Kalyan Kar, vice-president of the Sector V Stakeholders' Association, highlighted how green credits are already being commercialized by certain companies, emphasizing the importance of a structured policy to promote net-zero infrastructure within the state’s tech parks. Madhura Mitra, executive director for Sustainability and Climate Change at PwC, echoed the sentiment, pointing out that a clear policy framework tied to incentives would make West Bengal more appealing to investors focused on ESG-driven initiatives. She also noted that efforts are underway to standardize green credit mechanisms for IT firms nationwide. Adding to the momentum, Dipal Dutta, founder of tech firm RedoQ, noted that green credits have already begun influencing investment strategies. According to him, a robust green policy could encourage deeper and more sustainable investments in Bengal's tech sector.