New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- Artificial intelligence (AI), once viewed largely as a tool to boost productivity and automate routine tasks, is fast becoming a strategic pillar for companies looking to hit ambitious sustainability and climate goals. With industries under pressure to curb emissions, reduce waste and improve resource efficiency, enterprises in India and globally are increasingly positioning AI as a catalyst for greener, smarter operations. A flurry of recent reports, commentary and corporate moves highlight how organisations in India and globally are turning to AI - not just for profit - but to drive sustainable practices, reduce waste and support net-zero ambitions.
Efficiency meets sustainability
The link between AI-driven efficiencies and sustainability is becoming clearer across sectors. Technologies that optimise machine performance, streamline logistics or cut downtime also inherently reduce energy consumption and waste - creating a direct environmental dividend.
"Through real-time insights into energy consumption, emissions and waste, AI-enabled systems now allow companies to monitor resource usage and environmental impact with remarkable accuracy," said Preeti Menon, Chief Delivery Officer for the PDES Business Unit at Happiest Minds. She added that enterprises increasingly view technology not just as a growth lever but as a responsibility.
Manufacturing - one of India's most carbon- and resource-intensive sectors - is already seeing this shift. By 2024, an estimated 65% of Indian manufacturers had adopted AI in some form, up sharply from 45% in 2022. Predictive maintenance powered by AI and IoT is reducing unplanned downtime by up to 30%, cutting energy waste and prolonging equipment life. AI-driven visual inspection systems are also improving defect detection by around 40%, reducing scrap and rework.
Generative AI, Menon pointed out, is accelerating design cycles, helping manufacturers prototype faster while using fewer materials, thereby reducing environmental impact during the early stages of product development.
Platforms, digital twins and the rise of ESG tech
Global technology firms are embedding sustainability into their AI strategies, offering platforms that combine analytics, cloud, and responsible AI frameworks. In a recent conversation with Mint, Nisheeth Srivastava, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer - India at Capgemini, said the company's ESG platforms - including its Sustainable AI toolkit and RAISE (Reliable AI Solution Engineering) framework - help automate carbon accounting, improve transparency and offer predictive insights aligned with net-zero goals.
A major shift underway is the use of digital twins: virtual replicas of factories, grids, supply chains, or even public infrastructure. These let organisations simulate scenarios and optimise operations before making real-world changes. The results include reduced waste, smarter energy use, avoided redesign costs and stronger circular-economy models.
This convergence of AI, cloud infrastructure and ESG frameworks signals a broader transition: AI is no longer an isolated IT project, but an embedded component of enterprise-wide sustainability roadmaps.
AI and decarbonisation at scale
From energy and agriculture to transportation and waste management, AI is emerging as a critical tool for climate action in high-impact sectors. Inderpreet Kaur, Senior Member of IEEE, said AI and robotics can transform energy generation through predictive maintenance in thermal plants, optimise fuel usage, and boost renewable energy performance by forecasting weather and improving grid scheduling. AI-driven fault detection and demand-response optimisation could also make power distribution more reliable and less wasteful.
In agriculture - another major emitter - machine learning models analysing soil, crop and weather data are enabling precision agriculture, reducing water usage, and minimising reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Collectively, these innovations are helping India balance its development goals with climate obligations - enabling decarbonisation without slowing growth.
Responsible AI: The Imperative
As AI usage grows, so does the energy required to run large models and data centres. Experts note that these systems carry a non-trivial carbon footprint, making responsible AI design essential. "As we embed AI deeper into enterprise and societal frameworks, ethical stewardship, transparency and human-centric design must remain front and centre - not afterthoughts," said Sachin Panicker, Chief AI Officer at Fulcrum Digital.
Takeaways for enterprises
For businesses, the takeaway is clear: AI is no longer optional for sustainability-led growth. Early investments - whether in predictive systems, digital twins or ESG analytics - create compounding benefits, said Ramesh Jampula, Vice President, IT, India and APJC Regional CIO at Dell Technologies.
However, the promise will only be realised if enterprises - and policymakers - commit to embedding sustainability, ethics, and transparency at every step: from data infrastructure, design and deployment, to energy sourcing and climate accountability. The road ahead demands not just smarter technology - but responsible, energy-conscious, future-ready AI.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.