At Paytm, we celebrate our commitment to sustainability and continue to strive for a better, greener future. As we celebrate World Environment Day, we reflect on our efforts and renew our pledge to reduce air and water pollution and our role in advocating for a healthier planet.
In collaboration with UNEP, our CSR arm Paytm Foundation’s Air Quality Action Forum (AQAF) launched a national-level action-oriented forum for India last year. This forum brings together regulators, national and international philanthropic organizations, international development agencies and the corporate sector. Its goal is to identify needs, gaps, and solutions to India’s air quality problems, ensuring structured project implementation with a yearly action plan. AQAF was set up to facilitate an inclusive approach to tackling air pollution through stakeholder engagement.
Our Founder & CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been serving as the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Patron for Clean Air since December 2017. He has been driving environmental action and awareness, championing UNEP’s global #BreatheLife campaign. This major initiative focuses on improving air quality and influencing policy and citizen action for a healthier future.
He also contributes to the Advisory Board of the Green Digital Finance Alliance. This Alliance addresses the potential for digital finance and fintech-powered business innovations to reshape the financial system, aligning it with the needs of sustainable development. Our initiatives, such as reducing paper usage by encouraging digital transactions and promoting e-receipts, are part of our commitment to conserving water and reducing air pollution.
With our Return-to-Office initiative, we are encouraging Paytmers to embrace eco-friendly practices, such as carpooling and using shuttle services for their daily commutes. Our goal is to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions by minimising the number of cars on the road and to foster camaraderie among Paytmers. By encouraging carpooling, we’re not only making a positive impact on the environment but also creating opportunities for meaningful connections among colleagues.
We also believe that small initiatives can make a significant difference. One such initiative is ‘Vriksharopan – Plant a Paytm Forest’. Last year, we introduced the innovative ‘Box of Joy’ initiative, allowing Paytmers to choose impactful gifts. As part of this initiative, we have been planting 2 trees in the name of each participating Paytmer at a designated Paytm Forest near the National Capital Region (NCR), in collaboration with the Sankalptaru Foundation.
This initiative is exceptional because each tree is geotagged, allowing Paytmers to track their growth and even visit the site, fostering a deeper connection to the environment. The significance of this choice extends far beyond planting trees. By supporting afforestation through ‘Vriksharopan’, Paytmers actively contribute to the restoration and preservation of the environment. These trees empower local communities by providing livelihoods to villagers entrusted with their care. Through this holistic approach, we are addressing both ecological concerns and socio-economic upliftment.
Our initiatives, from reducing air and water pollution to supporting afforestation and digital finance innovations, are steps towards creating a greener, healthier planet. Together, we can make a lasting impact for future generations.
