Nandagopal Ramachandran of UST: Five Strategies Our Company Is Using To Tackle Climate Change & Become More Sustainable
An Interview with Penny Bauder
Conscious Consumption. This is a concept that borders very close to minimalism and advocates everyone to think of how anything that we buy or consume affect the society and the planet. For example, understand how buying local produce benefits the local community. Always ask three questions before we buy anything — Why are we buying? What is the use of the product? Will it be sustainable?
As part of my series about how companies are becoming more sustainable, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nandagopal Ramachandran of UST.
Nandagopal Ramachandran is a General Manager at UST focusing on Sustainability, Business Operations and Workplace Management. He is a seasoned executive with expertise in Budgeting and Budget management, Operations management, Financial modeling, Joint venture, Knowledge management and Business development. He holds a Master of Science in Management Systems Engineering & Change Management from Virginia Tech.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I started my work life as a software engineer. After I joined UST, I was given an opportunity to work on one of the biggest projects that UST has ever undertaken. This was the turning point, and it was something that I couldn’t pass up. The project created something truly magnificent results, which I believe will be standing even after all of us are gone. One lead to another and I become passionate about sustainability and environmental impact of businesses. Long story short, I came into this career by some good opportunities at right time, UST leadership and support from people around me. I am thankful to everyone for that.
What is the mission of your company? What problems are you aiming to solve?
UST has always been a purpose driven company and each of us at UST believe that we are involved in something that is bigger than ourselves and believe in the mission of ‘Transforming Lives’.
Born digital, we’ve helped some of the world’s best companies grow and transform. With the right talent and tools, we craft disruptive solutions, and provide the resources and expertise clients need to bring them to life.
Fervently believing in the power of technology to make life better. Since Day 1, our goal is to solve business problems through innovation. To us, a job well done creates positive ripple effects reaching far beyond the scope of the work — improving the lives of customers, end users and society at large.
Can you tell our readers about the initiatives that you or your company are taking to address climate change or sustainability? Can you give an example for each?
From its founding in 1999, UST has always been a purpose driven company and has always invested in improving society through corporate social responsibility and sustainable practices.
Some of the current and upcoming initiatives include:
- Plans to install a 1.2 MW on-grid solar power system in our Trivandrum, India campus in 2022. This investment will reduce the dependency on traditional power sources for the campus by 35% and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions of UST by 10%.
- We have created a large waterbody at our Trivandrum campus with a total surface are of 174,240 Sq. Ft., for water conservation. Here rainwater is harvested, and ground water is recharged. 80% of our Trivandrum center’s water needs are met from this waterbody.
- Utilizing battery-operated vehicles for traversing across the campus and have committed to converting all our owned fleet to EVs.
- Working with suppliers that use zero or low emission vehicles.
- Measuring and reporting our greenhouse gas emissions. We are also committed to investing in high quality carbon credits to support projects that help in fighting climate change.
- Switching to renewable energy for 25% of power needs by 2025.
- An ongoing program that supports several afforestation projects around the world.
- Enabling our employees to follow sustainable practices in personal and professional life through awareness and practices.
Earlier this year, We have joined Amazon’s Climate Pledge and UST committed to Net-Zero Carbon by 2040. In September, UST got certified as a CarbonNeutral® Company.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
I would like to take it one step further, more than profits, lack of focus on sustainability will reduce the longevity of any business. We believe that for every business to grow and create value, it would need to focus on the 3Ps — Planet, People and Profits. Of the three, Planet is the most important, without which the other two can’t exist, hence we think for sustained profitability all businesses need to start focusing on the planet as the core of its existence.
The design of products and services should start incorporating circular economy concepts, which will also help in increasing profitability through,
- Reducing resource consumption
- Creating new uses for older serviceable products and create more value
- Refurbish products for certified used product market
- Recycle end of service products and bring them back as resources.
Focus on sustainability will also improve intangible or difficult to measure benefits like,
- Improves reputation and brand value
- Increases customer engagement and retention
- Expands investor base as more environmentally conscious investors look only for similarly focussed businesses to invest in
- Lowers risk and costs associated with compliance to environmental laws.
The youth led climate strikes of September 2019 showed an impressive degree of activism and initiative by young people on behalf of climate change. This was great, and there is still plenty that needs to be done. In your opinion what are 5 things parents should do to inspire the next generation to become engaged in sustainability and the environmental movement? Please give a story or an example for each.
Few things, that come to my mind are,
- Conscious Consumption. This is a concept that borders very close to minimalism and advocates everyone to think of how anything that we buy or consume affect the society and the planet. For example, understand how buying local produce benefits the local community. Always ask three questions before we buy anything — Why are we buying? What is the use of the product? Will it be sustainable?
- Individual choices matter. Individual actions however small they are will quickly add up. For example, a personal choice of being a vegetarian matter — studies suggest that the per year carbon footprint of a vegetarian is 1.5 tCO2e lesser than others. That is approximately 500 trees in the lifespan of an average human being. Now, add that up and the scale quickly changes.
- Defend those (and things) who can’t protect themselves. Have understanding how every natural thing — living and otherwise have a bearing on the life of this planet. Learn to protect and preserve those, however, small it may be.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
Five top things that I have learned from my elders, mentors, friends, and experiences are below and I would like to share them here.
- Don’t lose sight of things that are closer to you. Focusing on long term is good. however, work on things that are right in front of you because they matter too.
- Be curious and be prepared to travel, don’t give up on any opportunity to travel.
- Believe in Murphy’s law. We won’t be able to plan for every scenario, how we react to them is what matters.
- Team players are more important than superstars
- Set aside time for yourselves. “Me” time is important
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
It is very difficult to name a particular person. I think what I have become is the sum of all experiences and connections that I have had till now. My family, my friends, my mentors, and my co-workers, from all of whom I learn every day. Every one of those people have honed me into what I am today, and I am thankful to all.
You are a person of great influence and doing some great things for the world! If you could inspire a movement that would bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Start teaching sustainability in school in all grades / classes. Let the newer generations be more passionate and aware of the planet we all call home.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you tell us how that was relevant to you in your own life?
We believe that we are involved in something higher than ourselves, and our mission is to Transform lives. This is a quote from our late founder chairman. I have not met him in person; however, it has influenced every aspect of my professional and personal life.
What is the best way for people to follow you on social media?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandagopal-ramachandran-4a038913/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ustglobal/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ustglobalweb
https://www.instagram.com/ust.global/
https://www.facebook.com/USTglobal/
This was so inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Nandagopal Ramachandran of UST: Five Strategies Our Company Is Using To Tackle Climate Change &… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.