“Internet of Things is indeed a strong pillar of sustainability and ESG initiatives,” Ganga C Sharma, Managing Director & CEO of CETIZION Verifica – Aluminium Circle(AL Circle)

AL Circle presents an enriching conversation with Ganga C Sharma, Managing Director & CEO of CETIZION Verifica Pvt Ltd, wherein he shares his personal views on the sustainability practices of the Indian and global aluminium industry. According to Mr Sharma, India is leading by example, and the world is closely watching its activities and following its footsteps. He says IoT plays a critical role in sustainability and ESG initiatives, and he also offers an exciting outlook on CBAM, describing it as a balance of risk and opportunities, depending on how the companies adapt to the new regulation. To know more of his unique and valuable insights, read the full interview.
AL Circle: Could you please provide a brief overview of your company and the services you offer?
Ganga C Sharma: Cetizion Verifica is a global leader in auditing, assessment, and verification services, with a presence in India, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Our primary focus is on validating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance initiatives such as ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative), conducting GHG (Greenhouse Gas) verifications, providing assurance, and evaluating sustainability reports. We recognise organisations that go above and beyond legal compliance and exceed industry standards in areas such as environmental responsibility, social governance, and societal impact.
At Cetizion Verifica, we believe that knowledge sharing is key to fostering growth across the entire aluminium value chain. When industry peers come together to share their experiences—discussing their practices, challenges, and solutions—it serves as both motivation and an opportunity for others to learn and innovate. This initiative plays a vital role in inspiring and educating others in the sector.
We also carefully evaluate applicants to ensure their ESG performance aligns with the best international standards, particularly in areas like climate change, decarbonisation, recycling, circularity, and overall governance. Our efforts contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to support the broader sustainability agenda.
We work with both upstream and downstream aluminium companies, including suppliers of essential elements like alloys. Our ultimate goal is to create a platform where industry professionals are motivated and excited to share their insights and best practices. We are confident that media platforms like AL Circle can help disseminate this information to companies in India and around the world, promoting global collaboration and progress.
AL Circle: What is your perspective on the future direction of the Indian aluminium industry in terms of sustainability and green initiatives?
Ganga C Sharma: The Indian aluminium industry is prospering, as evidenced by the strong performance of major companies like Hindalco, NALCO, and Vedanta. Exciting developments are also taking place in the downstream sector, with Hindalco announcing a new recycling plant in India and Vedanta introducing green products. India is becoming an increasingly attractive hub for the aluminium industry, ranking among the top five in terms of bauxite, alumina, and smelting capacity. Even in “China Plus One” policy, India plays a significant role globally.
This growing prominence brings with it a sense of responsibility. The world is closely watching how Indian aluminium producers manufacture primary aluminium and downstream products, particularly in terms of environmental responsibility. With the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the horizon, and more regulations likely to follow, the industry is facing positive pressures to adapt. The Indian aluminium sector must act swiftly to meet decarbonisation targets—first for its own operations, and then throughout its supply chains.
Looking ahead, we see a promising future for the Indian aluminium industry over the next five to ten years. However, with this growth comes great responsibility. We must demonstrate to the world that we are leading by example, showcasing the best practices in sustainability, and proving that we’re not only following global trends but sometimes leading them. That said, India must maintain momentum, addressing sustainability challenges across the entire value chain. For instance, transportation remains a significant issue, as much of it still relies on road transport, which contributes to carbon emissions. Tackling these challenges in a systematic way will be crucial for the industry’s future success.
AL Circle: As you mentioned the CBAM, how do you assist your clients in navigating the challenges posed by this regulation?
Ganga C Sharma: As an auditing firm, we don’t provide consulting services, but we do help our clients address CBAM challenges through our core services, such as GHG verifications and lifecycle assessment verification. By tracking greenhouse gas emissions and collecting data on internal quality assurance, we identify weaknesses in their systems and work to correct any inaccuracies in their data. Since CBAM requires accurate data for legal reporting, we assist clients by ensuring their data is correct and ready for reporting. This guidance will become even more critical as CBAM reporting becomes mandatory starting January 1, 2026, and non-compliance will carry legal consequences.
CBAM, in essence, creates a balance between rewards and penalties. If a company produces low-carbon intensity products, they will become more competitive in the European market as they avoid carbon taxes. This opens up the opportunity to reinvest in technology, talent, and skill development. In short, CBAM represents both risk and opportunity. Forward-thinking companies aiming for global growth can seize this opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint and gain a competitive advantage.
As a company, we are committed to supporting the aluminium ecosystem by providing accurate and insightful information. As an independent third party, our role is to conduct critical analyses and help companies navigate the complexities of sustainability and compliance.
AL Circle: How do you think Industry 4.0 is contributing to sustainability initiatives within companies?
Ganga C Sharma: If you see, gradually, people have started linking productivity improvement and quality management with sustainability. For example, better process control can reduce process time and enhance resource efficiency. Also, it can result in less raw material usage and less energy, which, at the end of the day, represents the basic principles of sustainability. Additionally, IoT plays a crucial role as a digital tool for low-cost automation and also minimises human interference, resulting in higher operation efficiency. So, in my view, IoT is indeed a strong pillar of sustainability and ESG initiatives.

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