Infosys to employees: Share data about your electricity bills, it will help us …
Infosys is collecting household electricity consumption data from employees working from home. This data will offset the impact through higher clean energy output as part of a sustainability programme that the information technology (IT) services giant has pursued for over 15 years. As part of the company’s hybrid work policy, employees spend most of their time working from home and are required to be in the office for at least 10 days a month.In an email to employees (seen by The Economic Times), Jayesh Sanghrajka, Infosys’ chief financial officer (CFO), announced that the company has launched a work-from-home electricity consumption survey and urged employees to spare a few minutes to answer the questions.What Infosys CFO said to employees working from home about submitting electricity billsIn the email, the CFO wrote, “With hybrid work becoming an integral part of our operations, the environmental impact of our work increasingly extends beyond our campuses and into our homes. Electricity consumed while working from home also contributes towards Infosys’ greenhouse gas emission footprint. As we seek to enhance and update our reporting methodology, obtaining accurate data on current work-from-home energy usage is essential to our ongoing efforts.” He also told employees that their response would help the company measure the “impact more precisely and design effective sustainability initiatives”.The Bengaluru-based software company, which has more than 300,000 employees, said it views sustainability not as a goal but as a shared responsibility. Sanghrajka said the company has shown its commitment through achievements. It has reached carbon neutrality ahead of global timelines, reduced per capita energy consumption by 55% since 2008, and sourced about 77% of its electricity needs from renewable sources last year.The ET report cited Infosys employees who claimed that the survey aims to raise awareness of energy conservation through efficient electricity use.The company has also asked employees to adopt energy-efficiency measures at home, as Infosys buildings consume 50-60% less electricity than conventional buildings. The questions seek details about the use of electrical appliances, fans, AC, heaters, and the wattage of lights, and whether they use solar power at home. The survey also asks employees to share an innovative idea or two on energy saving, if any of them have successfully implemented one at home.In 2020-21, Infosys became one of the first companies to estimate and report work-from-home emissions. This was done through a work-from-home electricity consumption survey to calculate electricity consumption from lighting, fans, computers, air conditioning, and other devices while employees work from home. This year, the company is revalidating the assumptions by conducting the survey again, ensuring the accuracy of its emissions reporting, the ET report added, citing sources.Infosys relies on renewable energy for 77% of its power use in India, according to its 2024-25 environment, social, and governance (ESG) report.The company has its own renewable energy power plants with a total capacity of 60 MW, which is a substantial component of its clean energy portfolio. These plants play a key role in reducing their dependence on grid electricity and ensuring a steady, self-sustained supply of green power across key campuses.In June 2014, Infosys first proposed a 50 MW solar park in Karnataka, becoming the first software company in India to plan to generate its own power that would meet most of the electricity needs of its offices.
