Host:
What is this “2°C”? What is sustainability? What is net zero?
Our goal is to keep the planet livable. The way we are used to living today—climate change can completely disrupt it.
If a manufacturing company wants to start its decarbonization journey and become net zero, how would that journey look?
Innovation is the key. Whatever you innovate will sell—if the final cost is equal to or lower than existing options.
You have done a lot of work in hydrogen. Why is it better for the environment?
Dr. Ajay Mathur:
When you burn hydrogen for heat, the end product is only water—H₂O—so no CO₂ is released.
But CO₂ won’t come out only if the hydrogen itself is produced without emitting CO₂.
That’s why green hydrogen matters.
Podcast Intro
Host:
Hi everyone, welcome to 2°C, Fitso’s podcast about environmental change and sustainability.
Each episode will bring policymakers, startups, industry experts—offering real insights and real actions we can take for the planet.
The podcast is called 2°C because every degree matters.
Today, we welcome our guest Dr. Ajay Mathur. He has decades of experience: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, TERI, and most recently Director General of the International Solar Alliance.
His introduction could take 30–40 minutes, so I’ll let him introduce himself.
Dr. Mathur:
Thank you, Anand, it’s a pleasure to be on the 2°C podcast.
I’m basically an engineer—studied at Roorkee almost 50 years ago.
I’ve focused my entire career on energy transition and climate action.
I did my Masters and PhD in the U.S., worked at TERI, then headed the World Bank’s climate change team when climate policy and global renewable projects were just beginning.
I later worked at Suzlon (wind energy). In the corporate world I learned how businesses think about market share and risk.
Then for many years I led the Bureau of Energy Efficiency—introduced the star labeling program (the star ratings you see on ACs, refrigerators, etc.), the Perform Achieve & Trade scheme, and LED programs.
After that, I headed TERI for 10 years, and then the International Solar Alliance for one full term until March this year.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked on energy efficiency, renewables, and climate policy—both nationally and globally.
I’ve been part of India’s climate negotiation delegation, working heavily on technology transfer and global climate technology networks.
All this helped me understand what actions make sense to reduce emissions while lowering costs for people.
Beekeeping Discussion
Host:
You also experimented with beekeeping. Does it help the environment?
Dr. Mathur:
Beekeeping is extremely useful.
You get pure honey, bees indicate environmental health, and they help with pollination.
They make ecosystems flourish.
I tried beekeeping in central UP. Summers are difficult, but manageable.
Interestingly, in mining areas (coal/steel), beekeeping can improve livelihoods.
In Appalachia (US), one beekeeper earned more than a coal miner.
This opened my eyes—train people in beekeeping and you solve livelihood + sustainability.
2°C, Sustainability, Net Zero
Host:
Let’s clarify basic terms: What is 2°C? Sustainability? Net zero?
Dr. Mathur:
The IPCC shows that if global temperatures rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, irreversible damage happens.
Preferably we should stay under 1.5°C—but we’re already at about 1.47°C.
1.5°C will likely be crossed soon.
But we can stay below 2°C if we act fast.
Climate affects farming: when to sow, water, harvest.
Now rains come late—rice stalks fall, harvesting gets delayed, wheat sowing suffers.
This is how climate change destroys livelihoods.
Why is this happening?
Because of emissions—burning coal, oil, petrol.
Renewables solve this.
If we use solar/wind electricity to produce hydrogen, and use that hydrogen for heat in industries, emissions drop to zero.
Net zero means: total emissions minus carbon absorption = zero.
But it’s much better if we aim for actual zero, not just “net” through offsets.
Solar Energy in India
Host:
Solar adoption in India is rising fast. Why?
Dr. Mathur:
As prices fall, adoption increases.
But prices fall because adoption increases—it’s a cycle.
Ten years ago, Germany gave huge subsidies (60 euro cents/kWh).
That created a global market, manufacturing scaled, costs fell.
Today solar and wind are the cheapest electricity sources anywhere—when the sun shines and the wind blows.
The challenge: night-time power.
We need storage—batteries or pumped hydro.
Developing countries face increasing demand day and night.
So we need renewables plus storage.
Last year, four Indian tenders delivered 24x7 renewable power at under ₹5/kWh—cheaper than new coal plants.
If we combine solar + wind + batteries, storage costs reduce.
But we need:
- land
- transmission lines
- capital investment
Solar/wind can be built in 2 years.
Transmission takes 3–4 years.
Investment cost is higher upfront, but electricity price becomes fixed forever.
Why Companies Want Renewables
Companies—MSMEs and large—want to shift to renewables because:
- energy cost decreases
- carbon footprint decreases
- government schemes are coming
- energy price becomes fixed
They prefer someone else to finance the setup (OPEX/lease model).
They pay monthly less than what they save, so it’s a win-win.
If a Manufacturing Company Wants to Become Net Zero
Dr. Mathur:
ISA started a program called SolarX to identify innovative renewable companies worldwide—EV manufacturers in Tunisia, solar cooking systems in Uganda, solar home systems in Tanzania, cold storage in Kenya.
Key point:
Innovation sells in developing countries because demand is rising.
Companies must:
- Innovate products that reduce energy usage.
- Use financing/lease models so customers pay less than what they save.
- Keep levelized cost equal or lower than fossil-fuel alternatives.
Hydrogen
Dr. Mathur:
Green hydrogen = splitting water using renewable electricity → hydrogen + oxygen.
No CO₂ anywhere in the cycle → zero-carbon fuel.
Innovation is needed in:
- Reducing electricity required (currently ~55 units/kg; theoretical ~32).
- Increasing electrolyser efficiency.
- Reducing water requirement.
Green hydrogen currently costs $4–4.5/kg; grey hydrogen (from fossil fuel) is ~$1.5–2.
We must reduce costs for mass adoption.
Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity—great for trucks, buses, industrial heat.
What Should the Next Generation Do?
Dr. Mathur:
Three things:
1. Use the highest-star-rated appliances you can afford
Preferably 5-star, otherwise 4 or 3.
2. Ask your utility to provide renewable electricity
It’s cheaper now.
3. Enter businesses that help the environment
Solar cooking, solar cooling, EVs, solar cold storage, robotic panel cleaners, etc.
Venture capital is increasingly available for climate tech.
Will We See Change in 10 Years?
Dr. Mathur:
Yes. Several changes will happen:
- Rapid build-out of renewables + storage.
- India’s policy and auction mechanisms can be replicated globally.
- Distributed renewables (solar pumps, solar cooking, solar mini-grids) will grow in areas without strong grids.
- Diesel gensets will be replaced by solar-battery gensets.
- Cooling will increasingly use cold water stored during the day.
Together, these can transform the world.
Is Climate Change Real? Some say it’s a myth.
Dr. Mathur:
Developing countries already feel the impacts deeply.
We call it drought, floods, cyclones—not “climate change”—but the effects are real.
Farmers live on the edge. A slight delay in rain ruins crops.
Developed countries feel less impact proportionally.
Emissions mostly come from developed nations, but impacts hit developing nations.
In the US, many deny climate change.
In Europe, people accept it widely; hence strong renewable adoption.
But globally, using the right words—heat, rainfall, cyclones—makes it clear:
Climate change is a people’s issue everywhere.
Rapid Fire
Host: If not sustainability, what field would you be in?
Dr. Mathur: History. I’m fascinated by how historical problems were solved.
One sustainability myth you want to retire?
That waste cannot be managed. It can be—starting with separating organic waste at home.
Advice for early-stage clean energy founders?
Perseverance. Convincing customers is hard. Keep improving based on market learning.
One habit you wish everyone adopted?
I’m scared of “mandatory”, but everyone should set AC temperatures a bit higher—24–27°C depending on comfort.
One personal habit for sustainable living?
Waste segregation: compost organic waste, minimize packaging, recycle.
Even Amazon has reduced packaging drastically.
One word when you hear “climate crisis”?
“Will humans survive if we cross 2°C?”
If your life were a Netflix/Amazon series, what would its title be?
“Change Maker.”
Closing
Host:
This was extremely insightful.
There's so much actionable learning for everyone—individuals and companies.
We’ll continue bringing guests who provide real guidance for creating environmental change.
Thank you so much, sir.
Dr. Mathur:
Thank you.