MUMBAI: On World Environment Day, AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest Small Finance Bank and the first institution in over a decade to receive in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to transition into a Universal Bank, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting India’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future through a focused and integrated sustainability strategy.

The Bank’s approach to climate action is anchored in three key pillars – Climate Finance, Greening Operations, and Community Engagement, enabling it to drive meaningful impact across its business and beyond.

Commenting on World Environment Day, Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “Climate action requires a sustained and collective effort, and financial institutions have a critical role to play in enabling this transition. At AU Small Finance Bank, we are integrating sustainability across our core business through climate-focused financing, responsible operations, and community engagement. Our strong momentum in renewable energy financing, supported by our Green Deposit mobilisation, reflects our commitment to creating long-term value while contributing meaningfully to India’s climate goals.”

Driving Climate Finance with a Strong Focus on Renewable Energy

AU SFB has strengthened its climate finance efforts through its Green Fixed Deposit (Green FD) offering, a specialised deposit product with dedicated deployment towards eligible green assets.

As on 31 March 2026, the Bank has mobilised 24,520 Green Fixed Deposits, aggregating to approximately ₹2,950 crore, with 100% deployment into green assets. These include renewable energy (primarily solar projects), clean transportation (electric vehicles), and green buildings, with renewable energy emerging as the dominant focus area.

Renewable energy has become a key segment within AU SFB’s green asset portfolio, reflecting both strong market demand and the Bank’s strategic commitment to enabling low-carbon growth. The Bank continues to play an active role in financing India’s clean energy transition by supporting businesses and entrepreneurs across solar, wind, and other emerging clean energy segments through tailored financing solutions.

The Bank’s renewable financing footprint spans key high-growth corridors, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana, and Haryana, positioning AU SFB as a credible partner in India’s expanding clean energy ecosystem.

Greening Operations through Digital and Efficient Banking

Alongside financing climate solutions, AU SFB is committed to reducing its own environmental footprint through responsible and efficient operational practices.

The Bank is actively promoting video banking solutions, enabling customers to access services seamlessly while reducing the need for physical visits to branches. This shift helps lower commute-related emissions while also improving customer convenience and operational efficiency.  Further strengthening its digital-first approach, the Bank has expanded end-to-end digital onboarding and sourcing journeys, including paperless customer acquisition through its digital sales platform and Straight-Through Processing (STP) capabilities. AI-powered customer onboarding, digital loan journeys, workflow automation across back-office functions, and integrated digital servicing platforms have helped reduce manual interventions, physical documentation, and paper consumption.

Strengthening Communities through Environmental Initiatives

As part of its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, AU SFB continues to invest in community-led environmental initiatives.

The Bank undertakes afforestation drives and water conservation programmes, contributing to ecosystem restoration, groundwater recharge, and climate resilience at the grassroots level. These initiatives are designed to deliver measurable environmental and social impact. Recent initiatives, including the restoration of Chennai’s Medavakkam Lake, exemplify the bank’s commitment to rejuvenation projects that boost regional groundwater and biodiversity.

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PUNE: Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Limited (KPCL), a pioneer in engineered systems and sustainable industrial solutions, announced the launch of Tonalli, an innovative waste-to-energy solution. Designed as a compact, efficient, and decentralized product, Tonalli converts organic food waste into valuable by-products such as biogas and organic fertiliser, promoting a 100% waste-utilisation process.

Developed as a next-generation waste-to-energy solution, Tonalli is engineered to help industries, hospitality establishments, industrial canteens, commercial kitchens, and residential communities manage food waste sustainably while generating valuable green energy. Built on the principles of circular economy and environmental responsibility, the system enables a 100% waste-free process through energy and nutrient recovery by transforming organic waste into renewable biogas and nutrient-rich organic fertiliser. The solution also helps reduce dependence on conventional cooking fuels such as LPG and PNG, while enabling lower energy costs, reliable fuel availability, and safer cooking fuel alternatives.

With the introduction of India’s Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective from April 1, 2026, and the national push towards four-stream waste segregation and decentralised processing, Tonalli has been conceptualised to address the evolving needs of compliance-driven and sustainability-focused waste management systems.

Commenting on the launch, Aman Kirloskar, Managing Director, Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Limited, said: “Tonalli represents our commitment towards engineering innovation that creates sustainable impact. As industries and communities increasingly look for smarter and decentralised waste-management systems, Tonalli offers an efficient way to convert food waste into valuable green energy while supporting compliance, resource recovery, and long-term environmental responsibility. ”

Speaking on the occasion, Nuriel Pezarkar, Technology Partner from NobleExchange Environment Solutions Private Limited, added, “Tonalli with BioBit Technology is more than a machine. It is a compact, plug-and-play solution where every installation is equivalent to thousands of trees planted, LPG replaced and carbon credits earned — measurable outcomes that reflect environmental responsibility, circularity and economic value.”

Emphasizing the company’s commitment to engineering excellence, the redefining waste-to-energy solution offers:

Controlled Anaerobic Digestion Process: The system features advanced anaerobic digestion technology to convert organic waste into biogas under controlled environmental conditions.

Inbuilt Gas Agitation Technology: Digester mixing is achieved through a regulated biogas-based agitation system, eliminating mechanical agitators and improving reliability. Biogas undergoes multi-stage cleaning, including moisture removal and H₂S scrubbing, before utilisation.

Pressurised Gas Delivery: Features an indigenous, high-performance Kirloskar compressor that elevates gas pressure for a consistent, powerful flame at the burner.

Industrial Safety Standards: Protects facilities through PLC-based safety logic, including automatic flaring, vacuum protection, and layered pressure relief.

The introduction of Tonalli marks a significant addition to Kirloskar Pneumatic’s growing portfolio of engineered solutions focused on responsible resource utilisation and operational efficiency.

The product launch event held early this month was attended by distinguished industry leaders from the Hadapsar Industrial Estate in Pune. This included M.A. Tejani, Managing Director of Gits Food Products Private Limited; Jaisinh Sampat, Founder and Managing Director of Pune Gas Systems Private Limited; Arun Kudale, Chairman & Managing Director of Kudale Instruments Private Limited; Vijay Suttatti, Director at Suttatti Enterprises Private Limited; and Nuriel Pezarkar, Technology Partner from NobleExchange Environment Solutions Private Limited.

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Created in collaboration with artisan designer Mubin Khatri and his team in Dhamadka, Kutch, the collection brings together heritage craftsmanship and modern design sensibilities across 19 garments. Developed over eight months, the line reinterprets traditional Ajrakh through experimental print placements, contemporary silhouettes, and innovative techniques.

Crafted in breathable cotton and cotton twill, the collection incorporates natural dyes and techniques such as pothai, where fabric is hand-painted using natural colours. Moving beyond conventional block-printing methods, the collection experiments with outlines and filler blocks independently to create fresher, more versatile patterns. It also introduces Ajrakh on twill cotton denim, offering a modern take on the traditional craft.

Speaking about the launch, Manorath Dhillon, who has worked extensively with Indian Crafts and is currently heading Okhai, said, “Ajrakh is a craft deeply rooted in history and community. Through this collection, we wanted to explore how it can evolve for contemporary wardrobes while preserving its authenticity.”

Rooted in sustainability, the collection uses natural fabrics and dyes, while thoughtfully reworking existing blocks to minimise waste. Through Ajrakh, Okhai continues its commitment to preserving Indian crafts while making them relevant for today’s consumers.

The collection is now available pan-India exclusively on Okhai’s website: www.okhai.org.

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MUMBAI: Kia India, a leading mass premium carmaker, has strengthened its sustainability vision with the launch of ‘Kia Drive Green’ – a sustainability-focused engagement platform on the Kia Connect app. This initiative affirms the brand’s commitment to creating deeper user connections with EV owners while promoting environmental awareness.

The Drive Green feature, currently available with the Kia Carens Clavis EV and accessible through Kia Connect under the ‘New Services’ tab, will be progressively rolled out to all upcoming Kia EVs. With Drive Green in the Kia Connect App, a virtual tree will be planted each month, which grows through five stages based on kilometers driven. The app rewards users with five eco-badges — Green Explorer (2,500 km), Eco Champion (15,000 km), Carbon Crusher (25,000 km), Forest Guardian (50,000 km), and Planet Protector (100,000 km) — while also displaying the CO₂ savings achieved. For instance, driving 100 km saves about 13.2 kg of CO₂*, and 1,500 km saves nearly 197.6 kg of CO₂*.

Atul Sood, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, commented, “At Kia, our vision for mobility goes hand in hand with our responsibility to the environment. With the Kia Drive Green initiative, we are taking a decisive step toward embedding sustainability across every touchpoint—from product innovation and cleaner technologies to our operations and customer engagement. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to making clean mobility part of everyday life.”

The Drive Green initiative exemplifies Kia India’s broader green mobility vision, setting a direction for how value beyond vehicles can be delivered, thereby building both loyalty and environmental awareness through digital experiences.

*Editor’s note: The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) savings and images displayed here are for representational purposes only. Actual CO2 savings may vary depending upon various factors such as driving behavior, terrain, weather conditions, and vehicle load. This information is intended to provide an estimated comparison and should not be considered as an exact measurement of a real-world comparison.

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The festival at the National Museums of Kenya addresses the growing plastic pollution crisis by demonstrating practical, culturally rooted solutions that create jobs, reduce environmental harm, and cut the billions governments spend on clean up, incineration, and health costs associated with throwaway plastic culture.

KEY EVENTS:

1. MEDIA BRIEFING

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Venue: National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi

2. REFILL AND REUSE FESTIVAL DETAILS

Day 1 – Policy Dialogues
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Program Highlights:

• Media Briefing
• Panel Discussions
• Refill and Reuse Exhibition

Day 2 – Public Festival: “Experience, Refill, Reuse: A Sustainable Lifestyle for All”
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Target Audience: General public, families, schools, artists, innovators

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on refill stations and zero-waste exhibitions
• Children’s upcycling art competitions
• Live music performances and poetry sessions
• Storytelling circles and interactive refill challenges with prizes
• Demonstrations of traditional African reuse practices

Admission: Free and open to the public

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PUNE: TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global leader in the two and three-wheeler segments, announced the launch of its new electric offering, TVS Orbiter, in Maharashtra. Designed to redefine the everyday commute, the TVS Orbiter combines several segment-first features such as a 158 km IDC range, cruise control, 34-litre boot space, hill hold assist, and advanced connected features. With an industry-first 14” front wheel, the scooter delivers unmatched comfort, convenience, and performance, at an attractive price of ₹94,900 (ex-showroom Mumbai, inclusive of PM e-Drive scheme).

The TVS Orbiter is packed with advanced features like the connected mobile app, front LED headlamp with visor, and a coloured LCD cluster with incoming call display, elevating customer delight and convenience. Its 3.1 kWh battery and enhanced aerodynamic efficiency deliver extended range with stable, efficient performance.

Commenting on the launch, Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice President — Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said,

“We are committed to consolidating our leadership in the EV space, driving India’s electric mobility journey with a strong foundation of trust and innovation. Guided by the evolving needs of our customers, the TVS Orbiter represents our next step in redefining urban commuting in Maharashtra. It combines everyday practicality with advanced technology, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, spacious comfort, and segment-first features. We are confident that TVS Orbiter will set new benchmarks in this segment, making sustainable mobility both accessible and aspirational.”

ENGINEERED FOR EFFICIENCY AND CONTROL

Equipped with a 3.1 kWh battery, the TVS Orbiter delivers an impressive IDC range of 158 km. Its enhanced aerodynamic efficiency improves both stability and energy performance, while the 14” front wheel paired with a dynamic rear configuration ensures exceptional grip, precise handling, and confident manoeuvrability in urban environments. The upright ergonomic handlebar further enhances ride dynamics, offering superior comfort and effortless control.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

At its core, the TVS Orbiter follows a modern, endearing and purposeful design philosophy that strikes the perfect balance between aesthetics and function. The 845 mm long flatform seat ensures comfort for both rider and pillion, while the 290 mm straight-line footboard provides ample legroom. The wide and upright handlebar offers an ergonomic posture, making rides effortless. It also includes 34 litres of under-seat storage, large enough to fit two helmets.

TECHNOLOGY & CONNECTIVITY

The TVS Orbiter offers an intelligent connected riding experience, including:

• Proactive safety: Crash, fall, anti-theft, geo-fencing, and time-fencing alerts.
• Always in control: Check battery charge and odometer remotely on the mobile app.
• Smart navigation: Turn-by-turn guidance with customizable settings.
• Stay connected: Calls, SMS, and personalized alerts on the LCD digital cluster.
• Rider confidence: Hill Hold Assist, Cruise Control, and Parking Assist.
• Up-to-date, always: Effortless OTA updates.
• Dual modes: Eco and Power with regenerative braking for range and safety.

SAFETY & ASSURANCE

The TVS Orbiter redefines safety with an advanced suite of connected features, including time fence, live location tracking, navigate-to-vehicle, crash and fall alerts, emergency notifications, geofencing, anti-theft, and towing alerts – ensuring a truly intuitive riding experience. With 169 mm ground clearance, LED headlamp with integrated indicators, edge-to-edge combination lamps, a USB charging port, and robust body balance, the TVS Orbiter inspires unmatched confidence and assurance on every ride.

VIBRANT PALETTE:

TVS Orbiter is curated with a palette of exciting colours – Neon Sunburst, Stratos Blue, Lunar Grey, Stellar Silver, Cosmic Titanium, and Martian Copper.

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Initial focus areas include:

• Sustainable and Secure AI Co-Development: The companies will develop sustainable and highly secure private AI solutions for organizations in regulated sectors such as financial services, insurance, defense, and the public sector. The companies will provide end-to-end solutions from infrastructure to business processes powered by AI applications for clients operating on private clouds.

• AI-Driven Innovation for IT Infrastructure & Customer Experience: The companies will pioneer the integration of Mistral AI technologies into NTT DATA’s customer experience platforms, beginning with agentic AI call center solutions in Europe and Asia Pacific. Joint projects could include co-development of LLMs for specific languages, which will further AI innovation tailored to local markets and specialized needs.

• Go-To-Market Expansion: NTT DATA and Mistral AI will jointly develop and execute regional go-to-market strategies tailored to the unique dynamics of countries, including France, Luxembourg, Spain, Singapore, and Australia. End-to-end AI services will range from use-case development and customization to implementation, support, and managed services. Dedicated sales teams will be assigned to address key client needs and priorities.

To drive innovation and implementation excellence, NTT DATA will establish a Mistral AI Center of Excellence staffed with subject matter experts and dedicated resources. In addition, Mistral AI will launch a technical enablement and certification program for NTT DATA personnel.

Abhijit Dubey, CEO and Chief AI Officer*, NTT DATA, Inc.

Arthur Mensch, CEO, Mistral AI.

Brochmann Laurent, Global Chief Digital Officer, Dennemeyer.

In another early effort, NTT DATA Luxembourg and Mistral AI will co-develop a sovereign platform in Luxembourg for clients in the regulated financial services and insurance industries.

Olivier Posty, Head of France and Luxembourg, NTT DATA.

* Additional role effective Sept. 1, 2025

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The event, held at the IUS Campus in Sarajevo from 18-19 June 2025, was supported by platinum sponsor Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and BH Telecom, which sponsored a key panel on artificial intelligence.

The conference was inaugurated by IUS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, who highlighted its global significance, stating, “This conference represents a pivotal moment for global collaboration, uniting diverse perspectives to advance ethical finance and sustainable development, aligning with IUS’s commitment to fostering innovation and moral responsibility in economic systems.”

Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, delivered a keynote address, articulating a bold vision for Islamic finance. He stated: “Islamic finance offers the blueprint for aligning finance with markets, technology with values, and innovation with sustainability. As the world desperately seeks a new paradigm, we must rise to the challenge and contribute to a better future that we all aspire to. The path ahead will not be easy. But the mission is worth the journey.”

Dr. Ahmet Albayrak, Executive Vice President of Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and Patron of the IUS Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation, and Sustainability, emphasized the importance of uniting global thought leaders to strengthen the moral and digital foundations of economic systems.

One of the highlights of the conference was the participation of three distinguished recipients of the Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Economics:

• Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Political Economy & Finance, Durham University Business School, UK
• Dr. Mohammad Kabir Hassan, Professor of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans, USA
• Dr. Habib Ahmed, Sharjah Chair in Islamic Law and Finance, Durham University Business School, UK

These luminaries enriched discussions with their expertise, offering profound insights into the intersection of ethics, innovation, and finance.

Over 160 participants from more than 20 countries, including academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and representatives of international organizations, engaged in dynamic sessions exploring topics such as Islamic fintech, sustainable investment, and the moral foundations of economic systems.

Notable sessions included “Reviving the Moral Foundations of Economic Life,” “Islamic FinTech for Inclusive and Ethical Futures,” and “Green Waqf: Islamic Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change.” A special parallel session, led by Dr. Beebee Salma Sairally, Editor of the International Journal of Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (a jointly produced journal by IsDBI and INCEIF), provided valuable guidance on publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

The conference is expected to pave the way for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become an intellectual hub for the development of Islamic economics and finance in the region and to contribute to the national and regional sustainable development agenda.

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This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ shaped the direction of the on-ground activities. As part of the week-long celebration, HMSI’s dealerships and service outlets across India actively engaged with customers and local communities. Key activities included the distribution of saplings to all customers visiting at dealership, awareness campaigns on the harmful impact of plastic pollution, and 1,25,000 tree plantation drives across multiple cities and towns. Free Pollution Under Control (PUC) check-up camps were also conducted to promote cleaner and more efficient vehicle usage.

In its 25^th year of operations in India, HMSI has reached a significant production milestone, crossing 70 million units of cumulative production since the start of local manufacturing in 2001. This milestone contributes to Honda’s achievement of cumulative global production of motorcycles, which has reached 500 million units since 1949. As the production scales, HMSI remains aligned with Honda’s global vision of realising zero environmental impact not only with its products, but throughout the entire product lifecycle, including all corporate activities, through its Triple Action to ZERO initiative focusing on carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation. The company continues to strengthen operational efficiencies while promoting cleaner technologies and manufacturing processes across its facilities. The Environment Week initiative highlights the role of collective participation- from customers and dealers to employees and leadership- in shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

These efforts were designed to create grassroot impact, reinforcing the message that even small, everyday actions can contribute meaningfully to environmental health. The event brought together HMSI associates and local representatives for a tree plantation drive and an employee awareness session which focussed on integrating sustainability into workplace and community practices.

In parallel to these on-ground efforts, HMSI continues to integrate sustainability into its operations. The company’s third factory in Narsapura, Karnataka, currently meets 98% of its energy requirements through renewable sources. Across all manufacturing locations, HMSI is expanding its capability to source over half of its total energy needs from renewable inputs.

To reduce dependency on freshwater sources and promote long-term environmental resilience, HMSI continues its journey toward water conservation by adopting advanced rainwater harvesting techniques at all its factories. The Third factory at Narsapura (Bangalore) meets its maximum water requirements through rainwater alone. All four manufacturing plants operate as Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facilities.

All HMSI plants have been awarded the prestigious GreenCo World Class rating, achieving Platinum and Platinum plus levels. The company has also received several national accolades, including the National Energy and Water Awards, in recognition of its unwavering commitment to sustainability.

With both on-ground and long-term investments in clean manufacturing, HMSI’s celebration highlights a broader approach to supporting a sustainable future through awareness, action, and innovation.

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Freyr Energy, a leading force in India’s solar industry, is expanding its footprint in Maharashtra, driving the adoption of clean and affordable energy. With over 1,000 successful projects and more than 13 MW of installed solar capacity across the state, the company is playing a pivotal role in Maharashtra’s transition to sustainable power.

A significant portion of this impact stems from the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) sector, where the company has installed over 7 MW of solar capacity. Notable clients include Savera Mouldings Pvt. Ltd. (916 kW), Mazagaon Dock (360 kW), MEDA (615 KW), Bahirat Estate (120 kW), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (177 kW), and RM Chemicals (300 kW). In smaller cities and towns such as Beed, Aurangabad, Satara, and Solapur, Freyr Energy has completed collective installations exceeding 1 MW, showing its reach beyond urban centers. Pune has emerged as a key residential market for the company, with more than 200 rooftop installations and over 1.5 MW of installation capacity.

Maharashtra’s residential rooftop solar segment is witnessing new momentum, driven by a tech-enabled push to make clean energy adoption easier and more accessible for homeowners. At the heart of this shift is a proprietary digital platform that streamlines the entire solar journey—from consultation and system design to financing, installation, and post-installation support. The app-based model offers a one-stop, transparent solution that empowers users to transition to solar with greater confidence and convenience.

To solarize 7,000 homes in the state by December 2025, the company behind the initiative is also removing financial roadblocks through zero-interest loan schemes and an accelerated digital loan evaluation process. This approach significantly lowers upfront costs, encouraging more households to make the switch to solar.

Radhika Choudary, Co-founder and Director, remarked, “The Government of Maharashtra has laid out progressive policies to promote renewable energy, and our efforts align with these goals. More importantly, we’re helping customers get the highest returns for the lowest investment. In many ways, we’re setting new benchmarks—offering exceptional quality at an affordable price.”

The company’s long-term plans include supporting thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in their transition to solar energy by 2030. With rising energy costs straining operational budgets, especially for smaller businesses, solar offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative that supports both financial and environmental goals.

By combining customer-first thinking with digital innovation, the clean-tech player is contributing to India’s solar mission, making clean energy a possibility, an accessible and impactful reality for homes and businesses alike.

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