IBM, CSD to work towards a greener Bangalore

BANGALORE, INDIA: IBM today announced its partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) to prepare an Environment Report Card (ERC) for Bangalore.

The report, to be presented to the state government, would showcase citizens' perceptions of environmental issues and a factual picture of the city's environmental condition measured based on several key parameters, said a press release.

The report card is expected to provide the administrative authorities a perspective of what citizens consider as priority issues plaguing Bangalore.

The project is a part of the year-long community initiatives of IBM commemorating its centennial, according to the release, which added that about 500 IBM employees had volunteered to collate data from over 3,000 household respondents across eight zones in the city before October 2011.

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During this period, CSD would collate data from different government departments to supplement the findings and IBM would utilize its Global Business Services Business Analytics and Optimization (BAO) consulting expertise along with its BAO FileNet and Advanced Analytics technology platform to collect, compile, analyze and produce the results for the ERC.

The report is expected to be released by November 2011, stated the release.

Mamtha Sharma, manager, Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs, IBM India said, "The project will summarize factual data that can stimulate debate on policies intended to benefit environmental protection. It will also lend valuable insights into various factors that the citizens of Bangalore think are important while developing the city further."

"One of the significant aspects of the project is that the report will take into account both the data available with government agencies and citizen perspective on the city. We are hopeful that the report will sensitize the stakeholders on the adverse impact of ignoring the environment issues in the city," said R. Srinivas, executive director, Centre for Sustainable Development.

ERCs are used world over to assist policymakers and environmental organizations prioritize issues and responses for the betterment of local environments and communities. This report would focus on parameters such as air pollution, traffic congestion, lack of open spaces, drainage, water collection, quality of water, waste/sewage management, noise pollution and other relevant and vital factors impacting health and well-being of citizens, said the release.