Now, an Indian Preservation League

Something quiet and unique is underway that could have an impact greater than anything else to do with the IPL, at least on planet Earth — the attempt by a group of environmental consultants to measure the IPL’s carbon footprint.

Vivek Gilani, founder and managing director of Eliminate Carbon Emission Pvt Ltd (ECE), the firm engaged by IPL for this purpose, explains the calculation process with an example of the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians at Mohali on April 9.

“Using a complex matrix and selecting a broad canvas of activities, we calculated a fixed footprint for every match. Then, with a stadium-specific questionnaire, we calculated the footprint specific to the match by going into details like the catering, the LEDs and flood lights used, ACs in offices, water consumption, and so on.”

They then talked to the various functional heads to note details of their team’s activities. The traveling footprint of audiences was calculated through a survey. After the match, ECE took note of what was sold at the stalls. “We even calculated the amount of water and fertilizer used to maintain the stadium for a year and came out with a number. This was divided by the number of matches conducted at the venue and the average was attributed to each match played there and added to the carbon footprint of the match. The main focus specific to this match, was on TETRAPAK recycling,” says Gilani.

The carbon footprint for this match worked out to about 600 tonnes of carbon emissions. “This is an approximation, as the data collected is being analysed,” clarifies Gilani. The final report on emissions as well as recommendations to offset them will be ready only by June, when it will be handed over to IPL.

Says Mo Polamar, CEO, ECE, “The Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Beijing Olympics have already undertaken such exercises. This is a first for India.” 

Kushal PS Yadav, head of the climate change unit at the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) strikes a note of skepticism. “These sound more like PR exercises,” he says. “The important thing to note is what an event like the IPL or the Commonwealth Games will do to offset the emissions. This will determine the seriousness of their intent.”

Speaking about the recommendations to offset emissions, Polamar clarifies, “It is the job of the business to implement our recommendations. For example, if IPL players travelled by train, their footprint will shrink. But it is not possible as the players will not perform optimally. Instead, IPL could go for offsetting this by, say, setting up recycling plants. Low-carbon is the next paradigm in conducting businesses. It can increase profitability, enhance the brand value and will soon be inevitable.”

All said and done, action, rather than mere words, has got to be the driving force behind the IPL initiative. They can take a leaf out of the Vancouver Winter Olympics Games held early this year. Based on a 2007 preliminary carbon emissions forecast, which estimated 110,000 tonnes of direct carbon emissions and another 220,000 tonnes of indirect emissions from air travel by spectators and other participants, the government of Canada invested an estimated $150 000 in carbon reduction initiatives.

The Vancouver Olympics Committee (VANOC) used approximately 500 fewer diesel generators than previous games, reducing emissions from diesel power by 90 per cent. Also, they became the first Olympic Organising Committee to track and report their carbon emission from the very day of winning the bid, till the closing of the Games — a full seven-year cycle, instead of merely the 27-day Games period.

IPL has expressed their intent to do the same for the next IPL season. Only time will tell whether they live up to
their promise.