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May 7, 2025
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This Is Where All The Plastic In The Ocean Is Going

By
The CSR Journal
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There are five trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans, weighing a total of 268,000 tonnes. That’s according to a paper by an international team of scientists who took a substantial amount of data collected across the globe and merged it with ocean circulation models to come up with the staggering figure.

That sounds like a lot of plastic – it is a lot of plastic – but it isn’t distributed quite as most people would imagine.

First of all, the way a Pacific Garbage Patch has been reported by some newspapers is largely a myth. No, you can’t see the garbage patch from space – the “garbage” in question is usually many small particles.

We are told how these plastic particles now outnumber the tiny creatures at the bottom of the oceanic food web, and it all needs to be cleaned up as a priority. It is true that in some areas plastics do exceed plankton. But this generally happens in areas with very few nutrients (oligotrophic) and hence low productivity, and which sit at the centre of large currents which focus debris and create these “patches”.

The plastics in the ocean can remain as recognisable objects – fishing nets, plastic bottles, bags – but much of it mechanically breaks down to small particles, many a fraction of a millimetre across, which explains the large numbers involved. Though previous studies found plastic isn’t restricted to ocean gyres, the latest paper is one of the first to bring the research together to produce a global estimate.

Where does it all go?

The major gyres of the oceans are found in the north and south Atlantic, the north and south Pacific, and in the Indian Ocean. These vast rotating vortices trap surface material at their centres, concentrating any debris.

However, the gyres aren’t closed off and, in the several years it takes a piece of plastic to complete a circuit, there is a 20-30% chance of it spinning out into other parts of the ocean. This results in the increasing levels of plastic beyond the gyres.

(World Economic Forum)

 

Clean Energy Taps Limited CSR Funding, Report Says

By
The CSR Journal
-

Companies are quick to pledge efforts to push renewable energy but found wanting when it comes to making investments in clean energy initiatives under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) heads. According to a report by Mumbai-based consultancy Samhita, which analysed data reported by top 100 BSE-listed firms as per CSR spend, CSR investments in clean energy initiatives amount to a mere 6% of overall CSR spends by these corporate entities in FY 2015-16. Of these 100 companies, only 39 corporates had programmes in clean energy.

This trend continued in FY16-17, with environmental causes receiving limited CSR grants, according to analysis of data reported by the top 100 National Stock Exchange-listed firms by market capitalization. CSR spend on environmental sustainability was recorded at Rs764.45 crore, as against Rs 523.20 crore in FY15-16, the study by Goodera (previously NextGen), a CSR and sustainability management platform, revealed. But, it did not specify as to how much of this amount was dedicated to clean energy.

Out of the 39 companies surveyed by Samhita, 28 published allocation data on energy projects undertaken in FY 2015-16. The total spending on clean energy projects reported between these 28 companies was about Rs183 crore. “Companies may not be implementing CSR in clean energy because of various reasons. Many companies perceive energy access interventions to be highly technical. This could’ve discouraged some companies that did not have capacities and capabilities to implement such projects. Companies also find it difficult to source qualified and technically competent implementation partners in geographic areas of interest,” says Priya Naik, founder and chief executive at Samhita.

Dipankar Ghosh, partner (Sustainability & Climate Change) at Thinkthrough Consulting, says companies still prefer spending most of their CSR funds on projects that directly impact the lives of stakeholders in their areas of operation as they see this as direct responsibility.

“Clean energy projects often require a higher level of funding than is available within the CSR budget of a single mid-sized company. The government can also facilitate this by adding a separate theme devoted solely to clean energy in Schedule VII,” he adds.

The survey suggests that 37 out of 39 companies in clean energy CSR programmes had some form of solar energy involved. The preference for solar, it says, could be attributed to a variety of factors such as geographical feasibility across India, strong push from domestic policy towards solar energy, reduction of the costs in solar energy production, cheaper input prices etc.

Anurag Kapoor, general manager-CSR at Schneider Electric, which has initiated CSR programmes in solar power and skilling training, says that since they have already invested in electrification of rural communities, progression into clean energy was only logical. “Schneider Electric has diversified into solar energy as solar energy is the most potent and feasible way to electrify the non-electrified and off-grid areas of the country. Everybody has a right to clean energy and we are committed towards changing the lives of the people by providing access to clean energy and alleviating fuel poverty” he says.

Rajeev Singhal, vice president (Raw Materials) at Tata Steel, which is also diversifying into solar energy, underlines that the move will help the company move in a direction which will lead to an increased competitive advantage, increased operational efficiency and enhanced profits in the long run. Tata Steel has set up a 3 MW solar plant at Noamundi aimed to address issues related to climate change and increasing demand for natural resources. “Our vision is to strike a balance between economic as well as ecological and societal value,” says Singhal.

The Samhita study underlines that despite the need for access to energy being highest in Bihar and Meghalaya, CSR presence in these areas is low. While, Karnataka and Maharashtra, which face relatively low energy gaps, have a high proportion of companies implementing access to energy programmes through CSR. States like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have high needs matched by high CSR activity, which can be attributed to progressive state policies that encourage the deployment of renewable energy.

The study says companies in power, and oil and gas sectors are most likely to support clean energy projects, strategically aligning their CSR to their business and creating social good based on their core competencies.

“Oil and gas and power plants are mainly located in areas closer to communities that may be energy dark or have intermittent access to energy. Creating solutions for these communities benefits the company both from a business as well as a developmental standpoint as it helps them build better relationships with the community,” Naik of Samhita says.

Among the 39 companies involved in clean energy, the majority focused on product-based solutions. For example, 20 out of 39 companies installed solar street lights in rural areas and 18 distributed solar lamps or lanterns for household use.

(Livemint)

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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Everybody Counts, This World AIDS Day

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The CSR Journal
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On December 1, World Health Organisation observes World AIDS Day. This year’s theme compliments the UN Sustainable Development Goals and promotes ‘Right to Health’. WHO will stress on the need for the 36.7 million HIV patients to reach the goal of universal health coverage. The slogan supporting these ideas reads “Everybody Counts”. This day aims to advocate for safe, effective and affordable medicines including diagnostics and health commodities for HIV patients. They also must be protected against the financial threats that the disease and its treatment will give rise to.

To achieve universal health coverage, WHO had a few aims to follow. They wanted inclusive and integrated services to be delivered to HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis patients. They wanted affordable care and stronger health systems in countries for HIV patients. In 2016, 1 million people lost their lives due to the HIV related causes, globally, according to WHO data. 54% of adults and 43% of children living with HIV are currently receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Global ART coverage for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is high at 76%.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation report, India had 2.1 million patients with HIV in 2014. It was reported in 2014 that India was the third highest in terms of the number of people with HIV disease. Over the period 2012-2017, National AIDS Control Programme IV was an ambitious scheme which aimed to accelerate the process of reversal, further strengthening the epidemic response in India through a cautious and well-defined integration process. The main objectives of NACP-IV were to reduce new infections and provide comprehensive care and support to all PLHIV and treatment services to all those who require it. Formulating each of them, undertaking research, reviewing evidence, consolidating field observations and programme experiences, conducting detailed discussions and deliberations, piloting and periodic evaluations.

Strengthening the nationwide Strategic Information Management System is a high priority for the government. Its campaigns usually focus on promoting contraceptive methods of intercourse, information dissemination about the disease, deconstructing the taboo around it and busting myths. To an extent, these campaigns have been helping in making a stigma-free society for people suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.
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The CSR Journal Team

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North East India To Get Its First Air Dispensary

By
Vaibhavi Khanwalkar
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In an attempt to make Northeast India more inclusive in the health infrastructure map of the country, India is going to launch its first air dispensary. This move will help reach topographically difficult areas of the North-east to give them access to health care in time. According to the plan, helicopters will be based at two locations – Imphal and Shillong, which have premier postgraduate medical institutes from where doctors, along with equipment and paramedical staff, would be able to fly over eight states in the region.

The Union Ministry of Development of Northeast (DONER) has already contributed Rs.25 crores as part of the initial funding for this initiative. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a press meet that the Ministry had been thinking of introducing a helicopter-based dispensary/OPD service in far-flung areas, where no doctor or medical facility is available and the patient does not have access to medical care. The proposal is in the final stages of the process in the ministry of civil aviation.

The government aims to get this plan started as early as January 2018. It is a very ambitious plan, but if implemented correctly, can work wonders in compensating for below par health infrastructure in remote areas of the country. For areas that are difficult to reach, like Northern and North Eastern areas of India, this initiative is going to be of great help. There are cases every day of loss of lives, only because help could not reach in time. Another way that these choppers can be of help is that they can carry patients to the nearest cities with medical equipment required for that particular situation.

Another move to make healthcare more accessible to remote areas, which was heavily supported by the corporate sector, was mobile medical units. In villages and towns which are off the map and in dire need of medical assistance. DLF Foundation, Glocal Healthcare, Windoors International and many more corporates have taken up these projects as part of their CSR activity. There are some corporates who are supporting government initiatives for healthcare infrastructure in rural areas.

A lot of efforts have gone into making healthcare inexpensive and available but the results have not been seen on the ground. With an air dispensary, the government is taking a step forward in the health sector. The previous goals that the government set for challenges that are still very much prevalent have still not been achieved. The Rural Health Survey also pointed at the gaping holes in the government district hospitals in remote rural areas. Time will tell if this project is able to achieve what the others could not and fulfill its purpose for those living in far-flung areas.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

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NASSCOM Foundation Reports Rise In Industry CSR Spending

By
The CSR Journal
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The Nasscom Foundation, at its flagship event, the CSR Leadership Conference (CLC), announced that the industry had widely accepted the 2% CSR rule with a trend of more companies coming out openly to declare 100%+ utilisation of their CSR money for 2016-17.

This year the CLC went beyond discussing basic intervention areas, to talk about new developments, innovative tools and disruptive ways of making the ecosystem better, more impactful and efficient. In this process, the CLC will deep dive into Re-Calibrating Employability through CSR, Social Impact Investing, Leveraging Big Data for Impact, Unlocking the Value of Corporate Sustainability in the form of panel discussions, fireside chats and impact talks.

NASSCOM Foundation in partnership with Goodera released the report: ‘Catalyzing Change’.  It has been found that there is a growing number of companies spending 100% and above of the CSR funds, among both MNCs and Non-MNCs. As much as 61. 6% of the surveyed companies reported spends of 100% or above their prescribed CSR budget. This includes 63.3% of the MNCs and 68% of the Non-MNCs.

Besides, smaller sized companies, with turnover below Rs 100 crore, have been proactively pushing CSR initiatives with full utilisation of prescribed budget:  While 57.57% of large companies and 53.3% of medium companies are spending 100% of CSR funds, an impressive 72.7% of small companies spending 100% of CSR funds, the report said.

It was also found that only 5% of companies surveyed reported spend of less than 50% of their CSR budget. Further, education remained the top focus area of companies’ CSR activities, especially in the MNCs. As much as 76% of MNCs reported highest CSR spend on Education. Other MNC focus areas included 12% on hunger & poverty; and 18% on gender equality.

It said that the MNCs have been increasing liaison with government to tackle developmental issues. Overall, 43.3% of participating companies confirmed working with the Central/State government in their socio-economic projects for 2016-17.

Shrikant Sinha, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation, said, “The IT /BPM Industry has been at the forefront of social development initiatives and it is heartening to see the industry emerging as one of the most efficient and innovative adopters of corporate social responsibility. Technology continues to prove a force multiplier in social impact with more than half of the companies that spent 100% or more of their CSR funds, claiming the efficient use of technology to deliver innovative CSR programs aligned to the Government agenda.”

CEOs, CXOs, CSR Heads, HR Heads of the top most companies from across various industries with the NGO Leads, Government officials, thought leaders, Tech4Good champions, social innovators come under one roof to discuss and create collaborative and innovative ways of fulfilling the most important Social Development Goals for India.

Through networking spaces, the CSR Leadership Conference also provides an opportunity to showcase work and connect at a programmatic level.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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Circumnavigating The Planet To Enable Young Girls From India To Fly

By
Neha Bilandani
-

Is there anything more liberating than flight? Does the sky have borders, boundaries, glass ceilings? A woman has recently done the unthinkable. For India. For the daughters of India. For you and me. The Earth we walk on, the skies we aspire to take to.

‘WE! Women Empower’ is an initiative by, of and for the girls and women of India, to attempt a first-of-its-kind circumnavigation around the Planet in a microlight, by a mother-daughter duo. Social Access Communications have collaborated with Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India and Hindi entertainment channel, COLORS to launch this initiative.

The feat of exemplary courage, mental agility and an aero sport adventure, will attempt a World Record. It will fly across 21 countries, taking the message of women empowerment, while spear-heading a unique crowd-funding campaign for the `WE! Udaan Scholarship’ to champion, enable and empower underprivileged Indian girls across India who want to fly.

“Flight is one of the best symbols of liberation and I am happy to say that Indian women have demonstrated that there is no glass ceiling in the sky time and time again. As many as 11% of our pilots are women, while a country like the US has only 3%. In the Indian Air Force, our girls are already accepted in the cockpit. Endurance flying requires the presence of mind, quick decision making, mental strength and impeccable communication – all of which are qualities that would stand our daughters in good stead as they take on the challenges of life,” said Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Minister of Women and Child Development.

Capt Audrey Maben, a gifted microlight pilot and India’s first microlight flying instructor, who is also a mother of three,   has decided to undertake this brave mission of circumnavigating the Earth in a tiny plane to raise funds for the training of underprivileged girls in aviation. She will be accompanied by her 19-year-old daughter Amy, as the mission’s eyes and ears and social media correspondent. A first-ever mother-daughter team. The enviable journey is set to begin on February 18th next year and they will raise awareness for the scholarship fund and achieve the highest flying honour for Indian women. A first on many fronts for India.

Attempting an act way beyond her peers have ever dreamt, Capt. Audrey Maben took to the skies as a young NCC Cadet at the age of 15. Winning a national competition, the All India Best Girl Glider Pilot in 1993- 94, she decided to pursue gliding by enrolling into the IIT Kanpur Gliding Centre and thereafter obtained her first Glider Pilots License. She then went on to obtain a Microlight Pilots License and set a national flying record by participating in the Air Race India 2003. Besides being the only woman to fly as pilot-in-command during the race, she covered a distance of 2400 km in five days from Bangalore to Nagpur and back – SOLO in a microlight. A feat established by The Aeroclub of India and listed in the Limca Book of Records. In 2007, Audrey went on to become the country’s first woman flight instructor.

Poised to take on the unexpected, an excited Capt. Audrey Maben shared, “To me, flying has spelled nothing but freedom. It is pure joy to be airborne. Getting an opportunity to see the world and become one with it, is an elevated state of freedom. This mission will give wings to many more girls like me who dreamt of flying every day. All dreams can come true. I have been blessed to live my dream,” she added.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

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Handlooms, Handicrafts Not In The Purview Of India’s CSR Spending

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The CSR Journal
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Any company in India with revenues more than Rs 1,000 crore has to compulsorily invest 2 percent of its profit on developmental activities, be it poverty eradication, gender, hunger or education. After trying to find loopholes in the law and figuring out ways of not ploughing back their profits into developmental activities, in the last year-and-half industry observers have finally seen concerted CSR efforts from corporate India.
“Corporates are clearly looking at serious CSR strategies rather than investing in one-off exhibitions or workshops,” points out Rama Iyer, Founder, White Kettle, a CSR advisory firm. In fact, a KPMG report last year had said that 52 percent of the top 100 companies had not been able to spend the required amount of developmental activities. However, among the companies which have committed to spend on the CSR, there has been 11 percent increase in overall spends; with the average spend per company increasing by 15 percent.
As companies change their approach towards CSR, the category that has lost out because of the law are traditional art and craft societies such as Paramparik Karigar. The organisation which supports 100 crafts persons organises exhibitions annually to promote the work of its members. “Getting corporate sponsorship is becoming increasingly difficult ever since the 2 percent CSR rule has come in,” says Ratna Krishna Kumar, Member, Managing Committee, Paramparik Karigar. Paramparik is organising a Bharatnatyam ballet (choreographed by Malavika Sarukkai) that depicts the process of weaving a sari, called ‘Thari – The Loom’, which is a ticketed show and the proceeds of same would go for the upliftment of craftspersons.
“We found it difficult to find a sponsor even for an event of this nature,” says Kumar. “We have over 100 craftspersons as members now, and now that they have started doing well because of our support, they have started volunteering 10 percent of their sales proceeds to Paramparik Karigar. This is how we are able to match up the costs of the exhibition,” she adds.
The reason why corporates are shying away from supporting handloom and art and craft exhibitions are because the CSR law clearly states that anything that is in the marketing space and impacts one’s brands is not CSR. “There is a clear difference brand-building and CSR. Whoever, the corporate is funding, has to show an expenditure certificate, therefore funding one-off events is not what the corporates want to do,” explains Iyer of White Kettle.
Tata Chemicals, for instance, has created a handicraft brand called Okhai, and through the sale of the Okhai products, it’s helping to improve the livelihood of women living in the villages of Okhamandal in Gujarat. “Tata Chemicals has a salt plant in that region, therefore, it’s approach was to find means of generating livelihood for which it partnered with local NGOs and self-help groups. Corporates no longer want to be seen doing one-off CSR activities,” explains a former employee of Tata Chemicals.
So what if corporate India can’t fund handicraft exhibitions, they can always help organisations such as Paramparik Karigar through a host of other ways, says Kumar. “Corporates could support workshops on design inputs that we conduct for our karigars, they could buy our crafts and use it for corporate gifting or could even decorate their office space with paintings done by our karigars.” However, India Inc as of now sees more merit in supporting burning issues such as environment, the girl child, education, and hunger.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

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Excellence Awards 2017 | In conversation with Niranjan Joshi, Auditor of World Bank Associated Programs

By
Neha Bilandani
-
WATCH Niranjan Joshi, Auditor of World Bank Associated Programs, share his thoughts post The CSR Journal Excellence Awards.
 

About The CSR Journal Excellence Awards

The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2017 is institutionalised with an aim to recognise inspiring contributions made by India Inc., NGOs and Individuals under the umbrella of Corporate & Citizen Social Responsibility. Through this platform, we aim to bring forward the most impactful, scalable and sustainable projects & programmes in the CSR domain, through a transparent and credible assessment mechanism.

The platform aims to bring the highest level of expertise to the results by our judging process in a live format. The panel consists of senior-level bureaucrats, internationally recognised social workers and leading public figures. The platform provides all the participating stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss and create ideas whereby there is equal scope for contribution and engagement.

The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2017 has seven categories: Education & Skill Training, Agriculture & Rural Development, Health & Sanitation, Women Empowerment & Child Welfare, Environment, Animal Welfare and Sports. This year, Sports and Animal Welfare categories welcome participation from NGOs/NPOs, in continuation to last year’s Social Welfare & Growth Awards.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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Bengaluru Marched For The Pride Of LGBTQIA

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The CSR Journal
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Bengaluru recently witnessed its 10th Pride Parade ‘Namma Pride’, which literally translates to My Pride, on November 26th. Through this event, a crowd of 7000 people, predominantly coloured in rainbows, came onto the streets to profess their acceptance of people from the LGBTQIA community and to fight for their rights. With placards held high, reading anti-section 377 slogans, supporters of the marginalised community walked the streets of Bengaluru, from one point to another in this march called Queer Habba.

The crowd placed a lot of demands, through this march, before the Karnataka government. According to a report by New Indian Express, they marched for the repeal of Section 36-A of the Karnataka Police Act which gives the Commissioner power to regulate eunuchs by maintaining a register of their names and places of residence in this area, “who are reasonably suspected of kidnapping or emasculating boys or of committing unnatural offences.”

Coalition for Sex Workers, Sexual and Sexuality Minorities’ Rights-Bengaluru was the banner under which they demanded the release of pending grants from 2014 to 2016 from the National Aids Control Organsiation and State Aids Control Society. The march also demanded a transgender welfare board or commission and a policy that aims to protect them from social discrimination and stigma. This has been cleared by the cabinet, yet no action has been taken. People from across the country had come to participate in the march, to pledge their support to a community whose rights have always been overlooked.

The New Indian Express report states that the policy lays down measures to integrate transgenders into the mainstream and will be implemented by setting up transgender cells. Counselling centers will also be set up to address stigma, discrimination and violence, identification and certification, which is a critical aspect of being counted as a transgender besides legal support.

The motive of these pride marches is to make people more aware of the plight of the members of this community, and also to destigmatise them. One of the participants of the march, Shilpa M, was quoted in the report, saying, “In India, it is about activism and protesting for a more inclusive society but in Australia, it is about just that — pride. They are proud to be gay. In Isreal, there were contingents from various countries like France with arterial roads being cleared for the march” she said.

The support for these marches has been increasing each year, as more people are getting familiar with the community and its problems. Time will tell if any reforms or change in policy is possible for the LGBTQIA community.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

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Excellence Awards 2017 | In conversation with Kumar Ketkar, Senior Journalist

By
Neha Bilandani
-
WATCH Kumar Ketkar, Senior Journalist share his thoughts post The CSR Journal Excellence Awards.
 

About The CSR Journal Excellence Awards

The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2017 is institutionalised with an aim to recognise inspiring contributions made by India Inc., NGOs and Individuals under the umbrella of Corporate & Citizen Social Responsibility. Through this platform, we aim to bring forward the most impactful, scalable and sustainable projects & programmes in the CSR domain, through a transparent and credible assessment mechanism.

The platform aims to bring the highest level of expertise to the results by our judging process in a live format. The panel consists of senior-level bureaucrats, internationally recognised social workers and leading public figures. The platform provides all the participating stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss and create ideas whereby there is equal scope for contribution and engagement.

The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2017 has seven categories: Education & Skill Training, Agriculture & Rural Development, Health & Sanitation, Women Empowerment & Child Welfare, Environment, Animal Welfare and Sports. This year, Sports and Animal Welfare categories welcome participation from NGOs/NPOs, in continuation to last year’s Social Welfare & Growth Awards.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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