Sustainability isn’t just the end-user’s responsibility: says Ashish Agrawal

In an exclusive interview with Ashish Agrawal, Global BU Head and Custodian of Sustainability of Nagarro, we explore the company’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, inclusivity, and eco-digital engineering. The discussion offers insights into how Nagarro is embedding sustainable practices across its operations and client projects, aiming to create technology that is not only innovative but also green, ethical, and inclusive. From reimagining software design to ensuring data privacy and minimizing carbon footprints, this interview highlights Nagarro’s commitment to leading the industry toward a more responsible and sustainable future.

Excerpts:

DQ: What's your role in Nagarro? What projects are you leading?

Ashish: I have two roles. One role is growing Nagarro, specifically in the Japan geography. That’s what I’m looking at. Secondly, I am working on making Nagarro more sustainable and ensuring that all our people understand what sustainability truly means. It’s interesting because very few people actually understand sustainability, particularly in the corporate world. Typically, when people think of sustainability, they think of CSR—corporate social responsibility. The usual thinking is, "Let’s go plant trees," or they go one step further and say, "I want to educate children, let’s go to a school and teach them." 

What is missing is the understanding that sustainability is much broader. It’s important for all of us to realize that in our everyday behavior, whether at work or at home, we impact sustainability. Every choice we make influences the world and climate change. So, sustainability is not just about the environment; it also encompasses ethical practices and inclusivity. To sustain the environment, we must take everyone along and act honestly and transparently.

DQ: Inclusivity is one of your three principles—eco-digital, green, and ethical inclusivity. How does Nagarro approach this?

Ashish: Software engineering is pervasive, influencing behavior just as physical environments do. Software design impacts user behavior. If you use an app that doesn’t accommodate people who are colorblind, illiterate, or non-English speakers, it creates a world that excludes them.

The inclusivity part of eco-digital engineering is about ensuring that software caters to everyone and doesn’t exclude anyone. The ethical part involves ensuring that the software is trustworthy, with no fake information, and that user data is protected. The green part focuses on minimizing energy consumption and resource use. For example, reducing the computing power needed for AI and considering whether an LLM (large language model) is truly necessary for a task, or if a simpler solution would suffice.

DQ: Everybody is jumping into generative AI, even when it might not be necessary. What considerations should companies keep in mind before adopting such technologies?

Ashish: The most important factor is the training of engineers. They need to understand the principles of green, inclusive, and ethical engineering. Just because a technology is available doesn’t mean it should be used. Engineers should align technology with the actual use case, avoiding over-engineering. For instance, if a problem can be solved with an FAQ, there’s no need for a large language model (LLM). Sustainability isn’t just the end-user’s responsibility; engineers must be mindful of the resources they use to develop solutions.

DQ: You mentioned building inclusive software. How does Nagarro ensure data privacy and energy efficiency in such systems?

Ashish: Privacy is non-negotiable for Nagarro, and we are fully GDPR compliant. These protocols are embedded in our software development and testing processes. As for energy efficiency, we’re still learning and finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint. We’ve collaborated with Terra.do, a sustainable training company, to create training content catered specifically to engineers. We’ve also developed dashboards that allow us to measure cloud sustainability, such as monitoring server usage to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

DQ: How does Nagarro align with different IT mandates and regulations across countries?

Ashish: While mandates may vary by country, certain principles are universal—like the desire to be green and to avoid misinformation and privacy breaches. We focus on these fundamentals and empower our people to apply these principles in their local contexts. It’s not about mandating specific actions but fostering an understanding that can be adapted to different environments. We aim to make our sustainability training open source so that it can evolve with contributions from others.

DQ: Can you elaborate on the sustainable engineering aspect? What should the government do to support this, and what should other organizations adopt?

Ashish: The first step in training is to create awareness that sustainability is not just about planting trees or doing check-box activities. Individuals need to understand their roles within their jobs and in their personal lives and recognize that their choices impact the world. The second step is to understand the significant factors contributing to carbon emissions, such as end-user devices. For example, there’s a mindset that we always need the latest technology, but we should challenge that and focus on what’s necessary.

It’s about making thoughtful choices in software, cloud, and architecture. Even simple changes can have a significant impact. Corporations must focus on what they do best—in our case, software engineering—and make that core to sustainability efforts. Training should focus on integrating sustainability into every job role, whether as a QA or software engineer.

DQ: Given that end-user behavior is a primary challenge, how should companies selling luxury experiences approach this shift in mindset?

Ashish: Companies should be early adopters of change. If you lead the change, you get to set the industry standards rather than having them imposed on you. For example, the IT industry’s carbon footprint is now on par with, or even higher than, the airline industry. With generative AI, this could account for 15-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions if we don’t change our behavior. It’s not about stopping these technologies but about thoughtfully integrating sustainable solutions. If you do it before being told to, you become a leader, setting the direction for your industry.

DQ: Nagarro’s Eco-Digital Economy is mentioned to be a dual benefits provider—reducing carbon emissions and driving profits. How does this work?

Ashish: By integrating sustainability into our software and training, we differentiate ourselves in the market. Customers see us as a unique partner, willing to pay more for our services because we bring sustainability thinking to the table. This approach aligns with our focus on solving client problems through digital engineering. Sustainability adds another dimension to problem-solving, ensuring long-term viability. Clients appreciate this and it helps us stand out, although we hope that sustainability in engineering becomes a standard across the industry.

DQ: What are some success stories from your client projects involving eco-digital engineering?

Ashish: We have a large automotive client where we implemented a cloud dashboard to track sustainability metrics. Another example is a major beauty company in Europe that’s integrating our eco-digital engineering principles into their projects. We have also developed a dashboard for 100% of Nagarro’s projects, allowing teams to visualize their carbon impact and make informed decisions. As we build new components, they will be integrated into this dashboard.

The dashboard is straightforward, using Power BI on the front end and leveraging existing data layers within Nagarro. We’re not building new software; instead, we’re using what we already have to visualize and understand carbon emissions. The focus is on making the data visible without creating new software.

DQ: Nagarro has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. What steps are you taking to reach this goal?

Ashish: Many initiatives are underway, but my main focus is on learning and spreading awareness. I want everyone at Nagarro to understand the role they play in sustainability, both in software creation and in business processes that impact clients. We are also reducing travel, ensuring our buildings are LEED Platinum certified, exploring renewable energy options, and eliminating single-use plastics from all our offices. Additionally, we’re working with our suppliers to ensure they operate sustainably. Our approach is to take on long-term programs that are thoughtful and meaningful, rather than short-term fixes.

We are also deeply involved in initiatives like training programs for autistic individuals, which go beyond just hiring; we provide end-to-end support. Our goal is to change the mindset and subconscious understanding of people, making sustainability integral to everything we do.