Dr. C.S. Azad serves as the Associate Director (Energy Efficiency and Advisory Service) at Green Tree Global, bringing over two decades of experience in energy conservation, demand-side management, and policy implementation. His work spans a range of sectors, with a focus on deploying practical and scalable solutions in both industrial and utility domains. He also served as Chief Editor of “Energy Manager” India’s only magazine dealing with energy management.
He has contributed extensively to national energy programs under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), particularly in the MSME sector, where his field-oriented interventions have supported improved energy performance across diverse industries. In collaboration with power utilities, he has played a central role in launching demand-side management (DSM) initiatives, including the introduction of demand flexibility and demand response in northeastern states as well as in northern India. His work in energy efficiency of telecom sector led to setting up of the carbon emission norms of telecom services in India.
Dr. Azad’s experience is especially relevant to the themes of ECM 2025, where the emphasis lies on actionable strategies in system-level energy management, utility engagement, and industrial conservation. His work provides strong case studies in implementing cost-effective energy-saving measures that balance technical viability with user acceptance.
At Greentree Global, he also anchors capacity-building efforts through GT Academy, where he leads training and refresher programs for energy auditors and field professionals. These programs emphasize practical diagnostics, measurement-based approaches, and program design tailored to regional needs.
Through a combination of fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and training, Dr. Azad has contributed to shaping energy-efficient practices that are responsive to ground realities. His insights continue to inform national conversations on scalable energy management practices and institutional frameworks for long-term sustainability.
Title: Strategies for Decarbonization of the Indian MSME Sector
India hosts the second largest base for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the world, accounts 45% of the total industry al outputs and 8% to the national gross domestic products . MSMEs play a key role in the value chain with the large industry and the sector also provides the largest share of employment after agriculture. As per Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), there are about 63 million MSME enterprises, the sector has been the source of income to 110 million employees. India has ramped up its climate change commitment by revising its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The key goals include reducing emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030. India's climate strategy aims for a complete decarbonization of the economy by reaching Net-Zero emissions by 2070, as envisioned by the Prime Minister's “Panchamrit” goals. To achieve this net-zero targets by 2070, India has to focus on major sectors of its economy, specially the industrial sector. While large industries have received major attention for energy efficiency and conservation under “Perform, Achieve and Trade” scheme, the Micro, Small and Medium industries are yet to get their due role in decarbonization domain. MSMEs are still majorly dependent on fossil fuels for their energy requirements, making them particularly susceptible to increasing fuel prices as well as carbon emissions. With energy costs having a substantial share in the overall manufacturing costs, the need for sustainable alternatives is crucial. The MSME sector contributes up to 30% of this industrial energy savings potential. Achieving the ambitious net zero goals requires overcoming financing challenges. The industry sector requires significant investments (Rs. 5.15 – 6 lakh crore) to adopt efficient and low-carbon technologies and build manufacturing capacity for energy-efficient technologies. Effective financing mechanisms need to be developed to support these investments.
The focus of various programs to minimise energy consumption in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India are based on the following
- Energy Use and Technology Analysis
- Capacity building and Outreach awareness
- Implementation of EE measures
- Development of Innovative Financing Mechanisms
Activities undertaken by government and other organisations include technology gap assessment, mapping of energy in energy intensive clusters, development of cluster wise base line reports, benchmarking studies. Identification of local service providers, energy service companies and their capacity buildings, awareness creations are critical component of the strategy. World bank and other agencies supported such energy efficiency financing programs arranging finance from local commercial financing sources through project development support and performance linked grants for demonstration purposes. Kotak Mahindra bank under its CSR program is also supporting decarbonisation of MSME sector through its industrial energy assessment cells at IITs. Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India is also promoting investment in energy efficient technologies through interest subvention on energy loans and handholding supports to MSME units.
We will examine various strategies undertaken to decarbonise the MSME sector and way forward .