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Unlike public stock exchanges, which offer daily trading, strict regulatory disclosure, and high liquidity, private markets are less transparent, have lower liquidity, and require long-term commitments. They also have less oversight and are generally considered riskier. With that in mind, many savvy investors wonder whether it’s time for them to invest in the private market. It can be worthwhile for these reasons: 

Higher Returns Potential

Once you’ve established the distinctions between accredited investor and qualified purchaser and established your financial capacity to engage with the risks of private investments, you may enjoy higher returns. 

Private companies tend to be earlier in their growth stages than public companies. If you invest in an early-stage company before it becomes widely known and it grows significantly, your returns can be much higher. 

WhatsApp is a great success story as a Venture Capital-backed company. The company’s only venture investor, Sequoia Capital, turned $60 million into $3 billion when Facebook bought WhatsApp for approximately $19 billion. 

Many investors had been skeptical about investing in WhatsApp because it only charged $1 per year and had no ads. However, Sequoia Capital believed in massive user growth, a simple product, and strong founders. They invested $8 million in 2011, $52 million more in 2013, and made their return upon the company’s sale when they owned around 15-20% of the company at acquisition. 

Less Daily Market Volatility

As a public stock investor, you generally keep tabs on what your investments are doing every day. They are prone to change moment to moment, driven by news and market emotions. Most changes occur within milliseconds between 9.30am and 4pm EST in the US, but volatility continues in pre-market and after-hours trading. 

Private investments are more about playing the long game. Once you invest, you must sit and wait for the magic to happen. Private investments aren’t traded daily and don’t fluctuate in price every minute. As a result, your investment can feel more stable, even though risk still exists. 

One of the least volatile private market investments is core private infrastructure, such as toll roads, airports, and data communication networks. They provide stable cash flows through contracts and regular demand. As they aren’t actively traded on public exchanges, there are fewer valuation swings. 

Diversification 

There’s no denying that the private market is risky. That’s why you must be a qualified purchaser or accredited investor to make certain investments through various platforms. Standards include a minimum annual income and net worth, professional certifications, and knowledgeable employees or investment managers.

However, in the same way that you can spread your risk across multiple investment types in the public market, you can do the same in the private market. You can invest in startups, private real estate, private credit, and infrastructure projects. The risk varies across all investment types, which helps investors diversify their portfolios and avoid concentrating their exposure in a single asset or strategy. 

Exclusive Opportunities

Startups can offer thousands of percents in returns, but the risks are very high at the seed stage.You can miss out on a lot of early growth if you wait until a company goes public before you invest (see how to build a 100 year old company). In today’s market, many high-growth companies are staying private for longer. Rather than raising capital in public markets, they raise capital through private funding rounds from private equity and venture capital investors. 

As a result, much of the early growth occurs while the company is still private, including rapid scaling, market dominance, and revenue expansion. If you invest in such companies early on, you can expand your opportunity set, increase potential return sources, and diversify your portfolio. 

You may be surprised by how many companies have chosen to remain private for longer. Stripe is one of the most valuable fintech firms and was private for over a decade. They wanted to avoid short-term scrutiny of public markets and focus on their product development and long-term infrastructure. SpaceX also raised billions of dollars in private funding and achieved major technological milestones, all while not listing on a public exchange.  

There are undoubtedly many things to be mindful of before investing your hard-earned money, but the private market is bound to pique your curiosity. As an eligible qualified purchaser or accredited investor, you may access exclusive opportunities, higher return potential, and numerous diversification options. Green Prophet does not endorse investing in any company without using an SEC-compliant, accredited investor. 

The post Should You Invest in the Private Market? appeared first on Green Prophet.

You’ve built your Texas energy consultancy on expertise and trust. Clients rely on you to interpret grid data, advise on renewables strategy or guide them through regulatory change.  Texas’s energy sector is one of the largest in the country, contributing about $390 billion to the state economy and supporting over 819,000 jobs across oil, gas, and renewables. With the state leading in oil, natural gas, wind and utility-scale solar production, it is no surprise that demand for energy consultants continues to grow.

At some point, the side project becomes something more serious. Contracts grow, and so does risk. You may start to wonder whether trading in your own name still makes sense. 

If you feel unsure about the legal aspects of how to form a Texas LLC, you’re not alone. Many founders hesitate because the process sounds complex. The good news is that you can move forward with clarity and confidence when you understand what Texas actually requires.

• Choose the LLC structure

When you form a Limited Liability Company, you create a separate legal entity that stands apart from you as an individual—a structure that gives you limited liability protection. In practical terms, if a client disputes a consultancy report or a project faces financial difficulty, creditors usually pursue the company’s assets rather than your personal savings.

You must decide whether you want:

• A single-member LLC, where you remain the sole owner, or; 
• A multi-member LLC if you work with partners. 

Most independent consultants choose the single-member route because it keeps management simple while still protecting personal assets. 

However, if you co-found the business with another engineer or sustainability advisor, you should agree on ownership percentages early and record them in an operating agreement. This document sets out how you share profits and how you resolve disagreements, reducing confusion later.

• File your formation correctly

Texas requires you to file a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. You can submit this document through SOSDirect or SOSUpload. SOSDirect works well if you want to complete the online form step by step. SOSUpload suits you if you prefer to upload a prepared PDF.

You must include your LLC name, registered agent details and management structure. Texas currently charges a $300 filing fee. After submission, the Secretary of State reviews your documents and issues evidence of filing once they accept them.

Keep your filed copies and the certificate of formation confirmation. Banks often ask for this evidence when you open a business account. Likewise, corporate clients may request proof that your company exists before they sign consultancy agreements.

• Get your EIN the right way

After formation, you need an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Even if you don’t plan to hire staff, you should obtain an EIN because banks require it to open a business account. You can apply for an EIN online for free through the IRS website.

During the application, you confirm your LLC details and the responsible party. This step links your tax identity to your company rather than your personal Social Security number. That separation strengthens your professional image and supports accurate bookkeeping. 

• Plan for Texas franchise tax

Texas doesn’t impose a state income tax on individuals, yet it does require most LLCs to file an annual franchise tax report. The Texas Comptroller publishes current franchise tax thresholds and rates, including a No Tax Due Threshold of $2,650,000 for 2026 and 2027 and an annual reporting due date of May 15.

If your consultancy earns less than that threshold, you might not owe tax, yet you still must file a report. Mark 15 May in your calendar and set reminders. Keep accurate revenue records throughout the year so you can complete the report quickly. This routine will help you avoid penalties and keep your LLC in good standing.

Protect your momentum with the right foundations

You started your energy consultancy to solve real problems, not to wrestle with paperwork. Yet the legal structure you choose shapes how confidently you can grow. By forming your Texas LLC carefully from the outset, you reduce risk and build credibility at the same time.

With a proactive approach, you can focus on advising clients on strategy while your legal foundations support you in the background. Take these steps methodically, and you will turn your consultancy into a stable, professional business that matches the ambition you already bring to your work.

The post Turning Your Energy Consultancy into an LLC: 4 Legal Steps for Founders in Texas appeared first on Green Prophet.

The global energy transition isn’t only about solar panels, electrolyzers, or the glamorous green-hydrogen whispers in Dubai conference halls. The revolutions come from the places the public hasn’t heard about, like an industrial campus outside Salt Lake City, where a company called Torus just secured $200 million to build a different kind of battery future.

Years ago when I interviewed the late David Anthony from 21Ventures, he told me his secrets to deal finding: hang out in laboratories and find the innovation before it gets to the tech transfer office. (Tech transfer offices have already done the due diligence and you’ll find deals there too, but they are no longer secret).

This story here isn’t lithium mining in the Andes or sodium-ion chemistry in Shanghai. This is physics, spooling at thousands of revolutions per minute and it started at a company called Torus.

Torus combines flywheels — ancient devices (think pottery kick wheel) that store energy mechanically by spinning at high speed — with traditional batteries. The result is a hybrid system that can absorb and release power instantly, smoothing the chaos of electrons on a stressed electrical grid. A flywheel is like a spinning prayer wheel for the grid, storing kinetic intention, and releasing it stably when everything around it shakes.

In engineering-speak: “A flywheel comprises a rotating mass that stores kinetic energy. When charging, a torque applied in the direction of rotation accelerates the rotor, increasing its speed and stored energy,” explains Sandia National Laboratory. “When discharging, a braking torque decelerates the rotor, extracting energy while performing useful work.”

Flywheels are already powering parts of modern life. In big cities like London and Philadelphia, transit systems use flywheels to capture braking energy from trains and feed it back into the grid. In data centers at Microsoft and major telecom hubs, flywheel UPS units provide instant backup power before generators kick in.

Utilities from New York to Ontario use flywheel farms to stabilize the grid when wind and solar fluctuate. In space, satellites use flywheel “reaction wheels” to orient themselves without fuel. Even race cars like Porsche hybrids have used flywheels for rapid energy recovery and boost. This is proven tech, now scaling to the grid.

Why the world needs a stable grid?

AI and token-mining data centers are consuming city-scale power. The US grid is aging making it difficult to absorb new energy sources even when they become relevant. Extreme heat and cold events are becoming the new normal. And these factors influence whether or not the heating will go in Texas or Canada in the winter.

Torus’ new financing, led by Chicago-based Magnetar Capital, will scale a Utah manufacturing facility called GigaOne and push capacity beyond 1 gigawatt of storage within three years. Letters of intent are already on the table from PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric, both utilities managing real-world wildfire risk, winter storms, and transformer-meltdown summers.

Michael Cooper, our trusted in-house investment researcher from 36North says that Warren Buffet is the model for all investment students of the world to follow. So this latest round and interest in Torus by PacifiCorp caught his attention.

“As an investor, I am most excited by the potentially lower risk environment whereby industry is combining disciplines and technologies from physics to chemistry to build products and solutions. This stage is more rewarding than exploring theoretical physics or pure chemistry,” he says.

Though still private, Torus has already attracted major utility interest, including letters of intent from PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric—early signals that its technology is transitioning from promising pilot to grid-relevant infrastructure. Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett’s conglomerate) via its subsidiary Berkshire Hathaway Energy (formerly MidAmerican Energy Holdings) owns PacifiCorp.

In a blog post on September 9, Torus CEO and co-founder Nate Walkingshaw described the company’s “modular power plant” technology in somewhat flowing terms, though the basic point is the key point. Flywheels are more responsive than conventional batteries, and batteries support the duration factor.

“The magical combination of  flywheels, batteries, chipsets and cyber security appliances allows us to respond in milliseconds, and stay online with 99.9% uptime,” Walkingshaw said. “This year we have been deployed by our utility partners  nearly every day to assist them with frequency and voltage support plus assisting our customers with peak shaving, emergency back-up and power quality concerns,” he added.

Lithium batteries are miracles we use every day and they are in our phones, laptops, Teslas. But lithium alone isn’t enough to stabilize a renewable grid. Batteries degrade. But flywheels don’t degrade the same way. They don’t catch fire. They don’t care if it’s −20°C or +50°C. They can discharge and recharge millions of times.

This isn’t a moonshot investment but one that Warren Buffett could get behind. Torus already runs a 400-MW manufacturing facility and it has purchase orders in the pipeline and has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rocky Mountain Power (a division of PacifiCorp) to deploy up to 70 MW of its hybrid flywheel + battery storage solutions in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

“This partnership highlights our commitment to exploring new technologies and optimizing infrastructure as we work to meet the energy demands and challenges over the next decade,” said Dick Garlish, President of Rocky Mountain Power.

How flywheels work to store free energy

The opportunity is enabled through Rocky Mountain Power’s industry leading virtual power plan, specifically the Wattsmart Battery program. The partnership will deploy Torus’s cutting-edge Nova Spin and Nova Pulse technologies across multiple sites. These innovations allow for real-time response and deliver twice the lifespan of traditional batteries.

“Working with Rocky Mountain Power at this scale demonstrates the growing recognition of demand response as a crucial tool for modern utilities,” said Walkingshaw. “As Utah attracts more data centers, manufacturing facilities, and technology companies, reliable and affordable energy becomes even more critical. Our technology improves grid resilience and efficiency while supporting Utah’s vision for energy abundance that will power the next generation of economic growth.”

The story here isn’t that flywheels will replace lithium batteries but that the energy future will be stacked, layered, and hybrid.

Torus Inc., based in South Salt Lake City, Utah, was co-founded in 2021 by systems-engineer-turned-entrepreneur Nate Walkingshaw and energy technologist Gilbert Lee, with a vision to build a grid-storage platform that blends the physics reliability of flywheels with the flexibility of batteries.

The company has grown to roughly 70 employees as it scales its “GigaOne” manufacturing campus and deploys hybrid storage systems for utilities and data centers. Torus recently secured $200 million in growth capital from Magnetar Capital to boost production capacity beyond 1 GW within three years, following earlier funding that valued the company at approximately $535 million.

The post A Torus flywheel in the desert and a $200 Million Utah deal to reshape the grid appeared first on Green Prophet.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a dominant force in the Middle East’s green-finance landscape, driven by strong government commitments, influential sovereign-wealth funds, and clear regulatory frameworks. The market continues to grow in sophistication and volume, reinforced by initiatives following COP28. The country first came on our radar in and around 2008 when it began developing Masdar City, which was to be a zero carbon city. It has become an innovation hub and poster for the country’s sovereign wealth that is investing in cleantech and innovation. As the UAE knows full well, the fossil fuel economy can’t grow innovation or a future once the world reaches peak oil, or peak tolerance for carbon emissions.

Market Leadership and Growth

How does the UAE lead in bond market resilience? The UAE remains a primary source of sustainable bond issuance in the Middle East. While regional issuance saw a slight dip in 2024 due to global economic factors, the market is expected to recover, with S&P Global Ratings projecting USD 18 to 23 billion in total regional sustainable-bond issuance for 2025.

Financial-institution dominance: Financial institutions drive a large portion of the sustainable-bond market in the UAE, while corporate issuances have been more volatile.

Green financing in the UAE focuses heavily on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable real estate, and transportation.

The Catalytic Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs)

Leading wealth funds: Abu Dhabi-based entities like Mubadala, ADQ, and Masdar are pivotal in driving the UAE’s green transition.

Masdar’s green bonds:

As a global clean-energy leader, Masdar uses its green bonds to finance greenfield projects in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and battery storage. In May 2025, Masdar’s third USD 1 billion green bond was oversubscribed by 6.6 times, attracting strong international and regional investor interest. The proceeds have been deployed globally, supporting solar, wind, and storage projects. Masdar releases 2024 Green Finance Report.

Masdar City never reached its projected population but it now houses thousands of students, residents, and businesses (e.g., Siemens, IRENA). It’s a functioning R&D and university hub, not abandoned.

The Alterra Fund:

Launched by the UAE at COP28 with a USD 30 billion commitment, Alterra aims to mobilise USD 250 billion by 2030 to finance the new climate economy. It includes a USD 5 billion arm focused on catalysing investment in underserved markets.

ADQ’s strategy:

ADQ embeds ESG principles across its portfolio and has a dedicated Sustainable Finance Framework to guide its investments toward creating a low-carbon economy.

Mubadala’s commitment:

Mubadala integrates sustainability across its investment lifecycle and has committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its global portfolio by 2050.

Regulatory Framework and Transparency

Financial regulators like the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) have established strong frameworks.

ADGM’s framework: In 2023, ADGM implemented a comprehensive sustainable-finance regulatory framework, including ESG disclosure requirements and regulatory designations for various green financial instruments.

Combating greenwashing: The ADGM framework and SCA regulations aim to mitigate greenwashing by requiring third-party verification, regular reporting and adherence to international standards like the ICMA Green Bond Principles. Because the UAE does not have a history or culture of free press, we cannot verify how those international standards will be monitored and supervised.

UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group: The SFWG, which includes federal regulators, is actively developing a nationwide taxonomy and pushing for enhanced sustainability disclosures. International third parties, without monetary stakes must be involved in supervision of policies and procedures.

Forced disappearances, the lack of worker rights, and lack of human rights questions how the UAE will be able to disclose, monitor and support green frameworks which include these standards at the core. Cross-dressing and homosexuality is illegal in the UAE.

Initiatives for a Sustainable Transition

The UAE continues to rollout frameworks such as the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 in support of its transition to a green economy.

Carbon market: In 2022, ADGM launched the world’s first regulated carbon-credit trading exchange, the AirCarbon Exchange (ACX).

Capacity building: Forums such as the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum and educational initiatives from ADGM are building awareness and expertise in sustainable finance.

Green Finance Mechanisms and Models in the UAE: A Strategic Blueprint for a Sustainable Economy

The UAE is rapidly cementing its position as a global leader in green finance, moving beyond its traditional role as an oil-dependent economy to become a hub for sustainable investment. A sophisticated mix of regulatory frameworks, strategic investments by sovereign wealth funds and innovative financial instruments is driving this transition. Backed by ambitious targets like the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, the country has built a robust ecosystem for financing a green economy.

Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Primary Catalysts

At the heart of the UAE’s green finance strategy are its influential SWFs, which are transitioning from traditional capital allocators to strategic enablers of sustainable finance. Their long-term investment horizons make them ideal for funding large-scale, capital-intensive green projects.

The Alterra Fund, launched with a USD 30 billion seed at COP28, aims to mobilise USD 250 billion by 2030 for global climate action. It has a unique two-part structure, including a USD 5 billion arm dedicated to de-risking investments in the Global South.

Masdar, owned by ADNOC, TAQA and Mubadala, is a global catalyst for sustainable development. It has been instrumental in issuing green bonds and scaling clean-energy projects internationally.

Masdar is the the UAE’s flagship renewable energy company. Compare it to Neom in Saudi Arabia. Masdar has become one of the world’s most active clean energy investors, with projects in more than 40 countries across six continents. Established in 2006 and jointly owned by ADNOC, Mubadala, and TAQA, Masdar operates and develops solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects with a current portfolio exceeding 50 gigawatts of capacity. Masdar also buys companies, and bought a 50% stake in the US business Terra-Gen last year. While the sum was not disclosed, it’s estimated to be a deal worth $500 Mllion

The company’s ambition is to reach 100 GW of installed renewable capacity and produce one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. Its projects stretch from the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the steppes of Uzbekistan, where Masdar is developing multi-gigawatt wind farms, and to the Philippines, where it has signed a $15 billion deal for solar, wind, and battery storage projects.

In Europe, Masdar has expanded into Spain and Portugal through the acquisition of a large wind and solar portfolio, while in Africa and island nations like Seychelles it supports off-grid solar and microgrid systems. Domestically, its Shams 1 solar plant remains a regional landmark. Collectively, Masdar’s projects generate more than 26,000 GWh of clean power each year, offsetting around 14 million tonnes of carbon emissions, and symbolizing the UAE’s broader ambition to lead the global clean energy transition.

Innovative financial instruments for foreign investment

The UAE has adopted and adapted a variety of financial instruments to channel capital toward sustainable projects, leveraging both conventional and Islamic finance models.

Sustainable bonds and sukuk: Issuances of green and sustainability-linked bonds and sukuk are foundational to the UAE’s green-finance market. For example, corporate green sukuk were used to fund green commercial buildings. Private sector green sukuk in UAE to incentivise green commercial buildings.

Blended finance: UAE financial institutions, supported by the UAE Banks Federation’s pledge of AED 1 trillion toward green finance by 2030, are increasingly applying blended finance models to attract private capital for sustainable projects.

Carbon-credit trading: The ADGM-based AirCarbon Exchange turns emissions reductions into tradable financial assets, creating a new frontier of green-finance innovation.

Regulatory frameworks

Robust and proactive regulation from both financial free zones and federal bodies is essential for building investor trust and mitigating green-washing risks.

ADGM: A free-zone regulator that now offers regulatory “labels” for Green, Climate Transition and Sustainability-Linked funds and mandates ESG disclosures.

DIFC: The Dubai International Financial Centre runs its own Sustainable Finance Framework and recently launched a Sustainable Finance Catalyst, an AI-driven platform to boost sustainable-finance investment flows.

Federal coordination: The Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) is finalising a national green taxonomy and enhancing ESG-reporting standards.

While the UAE’s green-finance landscape is advanced, significant challenges remain. A unified national green taxonomy is still in development, regulatory differences persist between mainland and free-zone jurisdictions, and data transparency and capacity building remain work-in-progress. Nevertheless, major growth opportunities lie ahead, including:

• Increased focus on green infrastructure beyond renewable energy—such as water and waste management.
• Green fintech platforms and climate-technology innovation environments.
• Improved ESG data-quality and disclosure frameworks, enabling more informed investment decisions.
• Investing in the UAE gives investors close access to Asian markets.

With its religious tolerance policy and a current embrace of western culture, despite practicing Sharia law, UAE’s green-finance model is dynamic and forward-looking — built on a foundation of sovereign wealth, regulatory sophistication and market-driven innovation. This multi-pronged approach not only underpins its own national climate ambition, but positions the UAE as a critical engine for mobilising global climate-finance flows into the sustainable economy of the next decade. It is certainly leading the green financing market by far in the Middle East, in practice and action.

Zakat, taxes and cultural surprises in the UAE

Beyond finance-instruments and regulation, investors and companies operating in the UAE should be aware of several cultural, religious and tax-related “surprises.”

Zakat is a Muslim duty: Though the UAE does not officially mandate zakat under federal law, many Muslim-owned businesses voluntarily observe it as a religious obligation. Typical calculation is about 2.5 % of eligible wealth (cash, inventory, receivables) after deducting liabilities. And of course, there are regulations, lawayers and advisers in this space: see Zakat advisory & compliance services in the UAE.

If you want to live in the UAE and raise a family there, it’s not easy to become a citizen: Non-Muslims can become citizens of the United Arab Emirates, but the process is highly selective and tightly controlled. Traditionally, UAE citizenship was reserved almost entirely for Emiratis by birth. However, since 2021, the UAE has introduced special pathways for foreigners with exceptional contributions to the country. Citizenship if granted, is mostly symbolic. They don’t have an open-immigration process for the millions of laborers who come there from Pakistan or India. Unlike, Canada.

Also, learn about why Muslims don’t drink alcohol. And how to behave as a foreigner in Dubai.

Taxes: While the UAE is known for having no personal income tax, and a certain kind of tax freedom, it does levy other taxes and fees:

• Value-Added Tax (VAT) at a standard rate of 5% on most goods and services. Official UAE taxation portal.
• Corporate Tax (CT): As of 1 June 2023 for qualifying businesses, a standard rate of 9% on taxable income exceeding AED 375 000. KPMG corporate tax overview.
• Additional levies: Municipal taxes on rental contracts, hotel services, and selective “excise” taxes on certain goods (e.g., energy drinks, tobacco). See: TAXATION OF INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVES – UAE guide.

Cultural surprises:

• Business relations in the UAE are still heavily influenced by personal trust, relationship-building, and local customs. Respect for Islamic tradition, Friday prayer schedules and Ramadan timing remain very important important if you are doing business there. Things which are normal at home, may not be acceptable in the UAE, like having cannabis in your blood or using CBD oil. If you come on an official visit, invited by a person of power of influence you should be fine.
• Operational licence regimes differ across emirates and free-zones: rules can vary between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates so on-the-ground due diligence is critical.
• The regulatory framework for green finance is young and evolving — local interpretation of “green” or “sustainable” may still diverge from global norms, so verification and local partner-insight matter.

Further reading on Green Prophet:

1. Arab Energy Fund commits $1 billion to energy transition and decarbonization
2. World Green Economy Summit 2025: Sandeep Chandna’s mission to make sustainability core to business strategy
3. The history and promise of geological hydrogen for fuel
4. $100 million USD fund unites Arab Gulf and Israel (cleantech investments)
5. Abu Dhabi’s Masdar buys 50% stake in American renewables Terra-Gen
6. The Future of Energy: Nuclear Realism vs. Solar Idealism
7. The wind farms of the Middle East

The post UAE Green Finance Report 2025 appeared first on Green Prophet.

At this year’s World Green Economy Summit 2025, Tech Mahindra’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Sandeep Chandna, is not mincing words. In an exclusive conversation with Green Prophet, he insists that sustainability has outgrown its role as a corporate side-project. Forget box-ticking ESG reports — Chandna says the future belongs to companies bold enough to treat sustainability as their core strategy for innovation, resilience, and survival.

Why does this matter? Because Tech Mahindra isn’t just talking the talk. It’s the first Indian company to win the Terra Carta Seal from King Charles III, ranked #2 globally for IT services on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, and is already cutting emissions with AI-powered tools and a growing renewable energy footprint. Chandna reveals how putting a price on carbon inside the company — $12 a ton — is changing investment decisions, and how platforms like i.GreenFinance are pushing banks and institutions toward measurable green impact.

For those still treating ESG as a PR exercise, this is a warning shot. Chandna’s message is clear: sustainability is no longer optional. It’s the new operating system for business — one that could define winners and losers in the decade ahead.

Green Prophet: At the World Green Economy Summit 2025, what key message will you be delivering to global sustainability leaders?

Sandeep Chandna – Chief Sustainability Officer, Tech Mahindra:

At the World Green Economy Summit 2025, our core message will be clear: sustainability must shift from being a compliance checkbox to a strategic, purpose-driven imperative that powers innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. We stand at a critical inflection point where ESG is no longer a reporting exercise, it is the blueprint for future-ready enterprises. We want to spotlight how digital transformation, when purposefully aligned with climate and social goals, can catalyze systemic change. Tech Mahindra’s journey, from pioneering green IT to launching AI-powered sustainability platforms, demonstrates that technology is an enabler and a force multiplier. We will also advocate for cross-sector collaboration, urging leaders to move beyond silos and co-create solutions that honor both planetary boundaries and human aspirations.

How does Tech Mahindra’s role as the only Indian company with the Terra Carta Seal influence your global positioning in sustainability?

Being awarded the Terra Carta Seal by His Majesty King Charles III is both an honor and a mandate. It places Tech Mahindra among a select cohort of global companies recognized for credible, science-aligned transition strategies. As the First Indian recipient, it amplifies our voice in international sustainability dialogues and affirms our leadership in climate-conscious innovation. The Seal validates our commitment to nature-positive solutions, from smart infrastructure to green software. It also strengthens our engagement with standards and frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2021, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) IFRS S1 and S2 standards, Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol standards. More than recognition, it is a call to action: to lead with integrity, scale impact, and inspire others across industries and borders.

You’ve been ranked #1 in India and #2 globally in the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for IT services. How do you translate such rankings into tangible real-world impact?

These rankings are a testament to our rigor and transparency across ESG dimensions, but their true value lies in how we operationalize them. At Tech Mahindra, we have embedded sustainability into the DNA of our business. From reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 31% since 2016 to sourcing 31% renewable energy across owned campuses, our actions speak louder than metrics. We have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill certification at key locations and implemented ESG-aligned procurement protocols. These outcomes benefit the environment, enhance stakeholder trust, drive cost efficiencies, and position us as a preferred partner for purpose-driven customers.

Can you share a project or initiative where your sustainability strategy delivered measurable results for both the business and the environment?

One of our most impactful initiatives has been the transition to renewable energy across our campuses. Through strategic investments in solar infrastructure and green power purchase agreements, we have achieved a 31% renewable energy mix at owned locations and nearly 23% globally. This has led to a 31% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to our 2016 baseline. Beyond environmental gains, the initiative has delivered tangible business benefits, lower operational costs, enhanced energy resilience, and stronger ESG credentials. Complementing this is our green mobility program, which promotes electric vehicle adoption and sustainable commuting, further reinforcing our commitment to climate-positive action.

With a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero by 2035, what innovations or policies will be most critical in reaching these targets?

Achieving these ambitious milestones demands a holistic and forward-looking strategy. Our internal carbon pricing, currently set at $12 per metric ton, serves as a financial compass, guiding investments toward low-carbon alternatives. We are aggressively scaling renewable energy adoption, targeting 90% sourcing by 2030. Innovations such as AI-driven energy optimization, smart buildings, and digital twins are being deployed to enhance operational efficiency. Policy-wise, we are aligning with SBTi-approved Net Zero targets and embedding ESG criteria into procurement and vendor governance. These levers, technology, policy, and behavioral transformation are essential to decarbonizing our value chain while sustaining growth and competitiveness.

How is internal carbon pricing changing decision-making within Tech Mahindra?

Our internal carbon pricing mechanism has fundamentally reshaped how we evaluate investments and operational decisions. By assigning a tangible cost to carbon, $12 per metric ton, we have embedded climate risk into our financial modeling and strategic planning. This approach incentivizes low-carbon innovation, accelerates renewable energy adoption, and ensures that sustainability is a core consideration in everything from facility upgrades to supply chain choices. It is a cultural shift that reinforces our commitment to responsible growth and climate stewardship. It empowers teams to make decisions that are not only economically sound but environmentally aligned.

Could you elaborate on how platforms like i.Greenfinance are helping clients accelerate their own sustainability journeys?

i.GreenFinance is a transformative platform that enables financial institutions to embed sustainability into their lending and investment decisions through automated ESG scoring with sector-specific KPI weighting. For instance, carbon emissions are prioritized in energy lending, while biodiversity and land-use practices take precedence in agriculture. These weights are fully adjustable to reflect regional requirements, regulatory frameworks, and institutional sustainability policies.

Built on an API-first architecture, the platform integrates seamlessly into existing Loan Origination Systems, enabling smart green loan underwriting where sustainability insights and ESG scores are embedded directly into credit decisioning workflows without disrupting core banking systems. Beyond origination, i.GreenFinance provides post-approval tracking of loan proceeds to ensure disbursed funds support their intended sustainable projects, from renewable energy deployment to green infrastructure upgrades. This delivers transparency and accountability for both lenders and borrowers.

The platform combines taxonomy mapping, feasibility reporting, and real-time analytics to provide comprehensive views of project viability and climate risk. These outputs are designed to support internal decision-making, helping lenders evaluate applications, monitor fund usage, and align portfolios with global sustainability standards.

With high configurability, i.GreenFinance adapts to each institution’s policies, product mix, and regional context. By making ESG performance sector-specific, customizable, auditable, and trackable across the loan lifecycle, the platform empowers institutions to move from intent to measurable impact, accelerating their journey toward responsible finance and net zero alignment.

What role will AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies play in driving sustainability transformations for global clients?

With the emergence of Generative AI, we’re solving sustainability’s most pressing challenges at unprecedented scale. i.GreenFinance exemplifies this innovation, delivering smart green loan underwriting, feasibility analysis, and real-time proceeds tracking that transforms how financial institutions approach sustainable lending.

Beyond finance, we’re tackling complex sustainability challenges using agentic AI across ESG reporting automation, dynamic materiality assessment, climate risk evaluation, supply chain assessments, and document intelligence. These solutions address a critical pain point for large enterprises, interoperability across multiple reporting regimes including CSRD, ISSB, SFDR, and regional taxonomies. Our platforms automatically harmonize data across frameworks, ensuring sustainability information is configurable, actionable, and audit ready.

IoT technology complements our AI capabilities by feeding real-time sensor data from assets, buildings, and infrastructure directly into our platforms. This integration enables continuous monitoring, predictive analytics, and early-warning systems for emissions tracking, energy efficiency optimization, and resource usage management—transforming raw operational data into actionable sustainability insights that drive immediate decision-making.

The convergence of AI and IoT creates intelligent sustainability ecosystems that provide 360-degree visibility into environmental performance. Organizations can now identify inefficiencies before they occur, optimize resource allocation in real-time, and demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability goals with unprecedented precision.

Together, AI and IoT are redefining sustainability, making it smarter, faster, and measurable while empowering organizations to evolve from reactive compliance to proactive strategic foresight and value creation. This technological revolution enables businesses to anticipate risks, capitalize on opportunities, and accelerate their transformation toward sustainable operations.

Your first TNFD report integrates nature-related risks into corporate strategy. How will this shape future investments and operations?

Our TNFD-aligned disclosures mark a strategic evolution, from climate-centric reporting to nature-inclusive governance. By assessing dependencies on biodiversity, water, waste management and ecosystem services, we are embedding nature risk into investment decisions, site planning, and supply chain management. Future expansions will be evaluated for financial viability and ecological integrity. We are developing nature-positive KPIs and integrating them into our ESG dashboards, ensuring that regeneration is part of our strategy. Our proactive efforts to manage nature-related risks and seize opportunities reflect our dedication to creating long-term value for our stakeholders while safeguarding the environment. We understand that the journey towards sustainability is ongoing, and we are committed to continuously improving our practices and strategies to meet the evolving challenges of our global ecosystem. TNFD is helping us future-proof our business, align with planetary boundaries, and contribute meaningfully to global biodiversity goals.

Beyond corporate targets, what legacy do you hope Tech Mahindra’s sustainability strategy will leave for the industry and the planet?

We aspire to leave behind a legacy of transformation, where sustainability is a catalyst for systemic change. We want to demonstrate that purpose-driven technology can solve complex global challenges, from climate resilience to social equity. By embedding ESG into our core strategy, launching nature-positive platforms, and championing inclusive innovation, we aim to inspire a paradigm shift across industries. If we can help reframe sustainability as a source of value, trust, and regeneration, then our legacy will be one of leadership in building a better future for generations to come.

::Tech Mahindra 

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If you’re dedicated to protecting the environment, you can start a business that promotes sustainability. This means you’ll have to source your products ethically, use renewable energy, minimize business waste, and save water. If possible, you should also go paperless. So, how can you ensure that your green business grows into a profitable operation? Here are a few tips.

Get a High-Quality E-Commerce Website

One thing your customers care about is your professionalism, and this can be displayed through the quality of your website. That’s even more important if you consider the fact that your site will give customers the first glimpse into your business. Designing a great website is fairly easy. You’ll just need a website builder like IONOS and a scalable web hosting service.

You can also use AI (artificial intelligence) to come up with text and images for your website. Just make sure you know which prompts to use for the best results. Finally, add security features like SSL encryption and a firewall.

Highlight Your Contribution to Sustainability

Taking care of the planet is a noble cause, and highlighting your contribution can inspire other members of the community to lower their carbon footprint as well. On top of that, it can serve as a marketing method, since many people would be happy to work with a sustainable brand. For this reason, you should make it clear that your goal is to minimize environmental pollution.

Find a Suitable Marketing Strategy

All businesses need a marketing strategy. Before you come up with a promotion policy, you should define your marketing goals, your target market, and the amount you can spend on promotions. Many forms of digital marketing have fairly high returns on investment (ROIs). Some of the best methods are influencer marketing, social media marketing, and affiliate marketing.

Various traditional marketing methods may also suit your business model. For example, you can put up banners, buy newspaper and magazine ads, or market at events.  

Optimize Your Website for Google

Getting your website to the first page of Google should be a priority for all business owners. That’s because most of your customers will search for your products online before visiting your store or making an order. The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your website offers a high-quality user experience. Visitors should be able to load your site in less than 2 seconds, and they must also enjoy easy navigation.

Something else Google has to check is your content. Although adding relevant keywords is important, you shouldn’t stuff these phrases in your articles. Instead, focus on providing value to your readers.

Conclusion

Launching an environmentally friendly business is a great way to contribute positively to your community. Before starting your business, you should create a website and optimize it for Google and other search engines. It’s also important to come up with a marketing strategy that matches your goals and budget. Finally, make sure you highlight your contributions to environmental protection.

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What to Expect at Ecomondo 2025

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Managing the efficient use of resources is one of the major challenges public organizations face. Asset management is key to improving operational efficiency. Asset management enables public entities to employ the benefits from the effective use of their resources/assets to make better use of the resources/assets, lower costs, and improve service delivery. This post is about the role of asset management in the efficiency of the public sector.

What is Asset Management

In short, asset management is the systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and disposing of assets most cost-effectively, not the most expensive manner. This includes infrastructure, facilities, vehicles, and technology, among other public sector resources. With a structured process in place and asset management software for government, public organizations can guarantee that these resources are put to the best possible use.

Better Use of Resources

Public entities facing the charge of meeting the needs of their communities need to be mindful of how they utilize resources. The process of asset management helps identify underutilized/surplus assets for reallocation/disposal. Not only does this provide free resources, but it also ensures that the free resources go where they are needed most. Example: facility utilization evaluation to repurpose or build a new facility

Reducing Operational Costs

Another advantage of proper asset management is cost reduction. Public organizations with properly maintained, long-term planned assets create less need for repairs and replacement activities. This can also be known as scheduled maintenance for the assets, as they will be functional and operational to function properly with maximum effect and avoid any sudden breakdown. This helps with budgeting and minimizes financial stress.

Improving Service Delivery

Public sector entities are established primarily for the efficient delivery of services to a community. The state of asset management is reflected in the quality and availability of these services. By managing your assets efficiently, you minimize the risk of service interruptions, which in turn leads to uninterrupted service delivery. A good example would be a fleet of vehicles that is routinely looked after and can reach and respond to the emergency services and public transportation sectors as soon as possible.

Supporting Strategic Planning

Asset management also provides information and data, which helps in strategic planning and decision-making. Using asset data, public organizations can predict future demand and plan their resources accordingly. This type of information helps with long-term planning so that infrastructure and resources adapt in line with community needs. Strategic asset management aligns resources with organizational goals, thereby boosting the overall efficiency of the resources.

Environmental Footprint and Sustainability

Public sector organizations are starting to focus on sustainability. This fosters environmental goals through effective asset management. Organizations that optimize resource use decrease waste and use less energy. Moreover, public entities invest in environmentally friendly technologies and infrastructure.

Technology and Innovation

Technology advancements in the public sector have significantly transformed asset management by streamlining operations, planning, and data handling. The integration of advanced tools has enhanced how assets are operated, managed, and improved. Modern software solutions now offer real-time data and insights, enabling more informed decision-making. Predictive maintenance, powered by these technologies, helps identify and address issues before they occur. Ultimately, innovation drives greater efficiency and effectiveness in public sector asset management.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its many benefits, asset management faces its own problems. Public sector organizations are required to deal with financial constraints, expectations from stakeholders, and a lot of regulatory conditions. Creating a strategic asset management plan needs cross-departmental teamwork and good communication. It is equally important to train your staff and invest in technology to ensure that goals are met.

Conclusion

The primary role of asset management is to improve the efficiency level within the public sector, taking care of all the possible aspects. Public organizations that release resources, reduce expenditure, and increase service delivery can perform better for their locality. This is complemented by strategic planning, change management, and technology to help public sector organizations continue to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Adopting capital asset management is good for the organization and contributes to the well-being of the entire community.

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The Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels has contracted a consortium to renovate its Cairo Metro Line 1. The group includes France-based Colas Rail, Egypt‘s Orascom Construction and Japan’s Hitachi Rail in an 800 million EUR) ($1.1 B USD) contract, split between the three companies.

The Line 1 in Cairo metro is the oldest underground train line in Egypt and is the heart of the city’s urban transport system, carrying 1.5 million people daily. The new investment will increase capacity on the line.

“We are proud to have supported the National Authority for Tunnels over more than 40 years in the construction of reliable, low-carbon urban mobility infrastructure in Cairo and Alexandria,” said Hervé Le Joliff, Chairman of Colas Rail. “The modernisation of line 1, which Colas Rail helped to build in the 1980s, represents a new challenge. Over the next few years, many of the world’s major cities will have to modernise their underground railway lines to keep pace with the growing demand for mobility among the population.”

Under the contract, Colas Rail will work with Orascom to modernize the electric power supply and electromechanical systems in stations, tunnels and on the rail track.

Related: Ecological news from Egypt

Hitachi Rail will upgrade the signaling, control and telecommunications infrastructure.

This work will be completed during the day while maintaining commercial operations on the line. The project is expected to start in October 2024 and will run for 64 months.

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Genesis Prize laureates engage meaningfully with the Jewish community and use their platform and resources for the greater good. 

The Genesis Prize stands as a symbol of recognition and celebration for those who have achieved significant professional success, contributed to humanity, and are committed to their Jewish heritage and values. But what does it mean to be a Genesis Prize laureate?

Stan Polovets co-founded the Genesis Prize Foundation with the vision of fostering a vibrant and united Jewish community by highlighting and celebrating the values that have shaped Jewish history and identity. 

“We are living in a time where assimilation and antisemitism have inhibited open expressions of Jewish identity around the globe. The [Genesis Prize] Foundation saw an opportunity to use a new tool for fostering that pride: spotlighting a Jewish individual who has achieved unparalleled professional success while speaking openly and positively about their Jewish identity,” says Stan Polovets.

The Genesis Prize Foundation’s commitment to these principles is reflected in the prize. Each year, a $1 million award is given to an individual or group who demonstrates excellence in their field and exemplifies the spirit of giving back. After inaugural recipient Mike Bloomberg donated his award, every subsequent recipient has done the same, giving the prize funds to causes meaningful to them.

Honoring Excellence: A Decade of Laureates

Since its inception, the Genesis Prize has recognized honorees who span wide-ranging fields, from politics and business to entertainment and social activism, showcasing the multifaceted contributions of the Jewish community to the world. Each laureate is given the opportunity to direct the prize funds to philanthropic causes, creating a ripple effect that benefits countless individuals and organizations.

The Genesis Prize began in 2014 with Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and a noted philanthropist, as its first laureate. Bloomberg chose to direct his $1 million award to the creation of the Genesis Generation Challenge, a global competition to inspire young social entrepreneurs to tackle pressing social issues with innovative solutions.

In 2015, the Genesis Prize was awarded to Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas. Douglas utilized the opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of intermarried families into Jewish communities, striving to create a more welcoming and diverse environment that strengthens bonds.

In 2016, world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman received the Genesis Prize, saying that he was “humbled and honored” by the recognition. Perlman directed his award to support initiatives that champion the inclusion of people with disabilities, contributing significantly to a more accessible and inclusive society.

Sculptor Anish Kapoor, honored in 2017 for his contributions to the modern art world and tireless advocacy for refugees, allocated his prize funds to help address the worldwide refugee crisis. Kapoor’s humanitarian focus highlighted the urgent need for support and advocacy for displaced populations worldwide.

The following year, 2018, saw The Genesis Prize Foundation bestow its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award upon U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Celebrated for her trailblazing civil rights and women’s advocacy work, Justice Ginsburg was chosen by all previous Genesis Prize laureates for her profound contributions to justice and equality.

In 2019, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots football team, received the award and focused his efforts on fighting antisemitism, announcing the creation of a new foundation and his personal contribution of $20 million to help counter the growing threat of antisemitism and all forms of hate around the world.

Human rights activist Natan Sharansky was honored in 2020. With the world struggling with the COVID pandemic, Sharansky directed his prize funds to organizations supporting vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic.

In 2021, filmmaker and philanthropist Steven Spielberg received the Genesis Prize and directed his award to organizations that work toward racial and economic justice in the United States.

Also in 2021, the foundation awarded a posthumous Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of the U.K. Rabbi Sacks was honored for his role in inspiring the next generation of Jews, his lifelong work as a teacher, and as an advocate of interreligious and intercultural dialogue. 

The 2022 laureate Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, was recognized for his leadership during the pandemic and pivotal role in quickly developing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Bourla’s Genesis Prize money helped support the establishment of a Holocaust museum in his hometown of Thessaloniki, Greece.

In 2023, Jewish activists and organizations aiding the people of Ukraine were recognized for their vital contributions during the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the Jewish community’s critical role in supporting the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

This year, The Genesis Prize Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary by awarding the prize to Barbra Streisand, the celebrated actor, singer, author, director, and activist. Streisand allocated her award funds to nonprofit organizations focusing on environmental protection, women’s health, combating media disinformation, and supporting Ukraine. 

The 2024 Genesis Prize honored Israeli organizations dedicated to providing care, counseling, and support to former hostages abducted and held by Hamas and the hostages’ families. This recognition was part of a broader initiative to raise global awareness about the hostages’ plight and ensure their concerns remain a priority for international leaders.

Measuring Impact: Beyond the Monetary Value

Over the past decade, Genesis Prize grants — including additional funding from other philanthropists — have totaled more than $50 million for over 200 nongovernmental organizations worldwide, reflecting the Genesis Prize’s broad and lasting influence.

The Genesis Prize selection process has evolved, seeking to engage the voices of Jews worldwide. In recent years, nominations have been solicited from Jews around the world, with a rigorous vetting process to identify individuals who align with the Genesis Prize’s criteria. This shift toward greater public involvement underscores the foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and engagement.

The Genesis Prize aims to inspire future generations to strive for excellence while embracing their Jewish heritage, underscoring the importance of identity and community. It seeks to create role models who instill pride in the next generation of Jews.

The legacy of each laureate is a testament to the enduring impact of the Genesis Prize, highlighting the profound ways in which one can make a difference in the world.

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