Driving Sustainability In Retail: Ashok Kumar’s IoT and Automation Solutions Are Cutting CO2 Emissions Across Industries

Retail businesses around the world are being pushed to take sustainability more seriously. With growing concerns about climate change and environmental impact, organisations are now expected to do more than just sell products—they need to reduce waste, use less energy, and show they are operating responsibly.

Ashok Kumar Kalyanam, an expert, is one of the professionals helping lead this shift. In his recent paper, “Integration of ESG Data in the Retail Sector (Essential for Sustainable Business and Risk Management),” he outlines practical ways that technology can support these efforts.

As a Subject Matter Expert and Technical Delivery Lead, he highlights the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data in retail. This data helps businesses track their environmental footprint, workplace practices, and overall transparency. More importantly, it helps them act on the issues they find. According to him, through proper integration of ESG data into daily operations, companies can identify areas where they waste energy, lose resources, or fall short in ethical practices. Doing this not only helps reduce environmental impact but also supports better long-term decision-making.

One of the key points he shared is how IoT (Internet of Things) devices and automation tools can play an important role in improving sustainability. These tools help businesses monitor energy use, waste, and other important factors in real time. For instance, smart sensors in stores and warehouses can track electricity usage, room temperatures, and equipment performance. This data helps companies adjust their systems to avoid waste. Automation can take over repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and save energy by running systems more efficiently.

The professional outlines several benefits of using IoT and automation in retail. Some of them include better energy use through smart lighting and climate control, improved waste management through real-time monitoring, and smoother store operations by reducing manual work. These tools can also create a better shopping experience by giving customers more control over their environment—like adjusting lighting or temperature through a mobile app.

This research is backed with real-world examples. Big companies like Walmart, Unilever, and Amazon have already adopted IoT and automation to reduce emissions and make their operations more efficient. Walmart, for instance, now gets 29% of its global energy from renewable sources. Amazon has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. These examples show how large-scale retailers are using technology not just to meet sustainability goals but to lead the way.

What’s Next—and What to Watch Out For

While the benefits are clear, Kalyanam also highlights the challenges. Issues like data privacy, compatibility between different tech systems, and cybersecurity risks need to be managed carefully. Still, he remains optimistic about where things are headed. He is exploring the possibilities of newer technologies like AI and ML, which can make these systems even smarter. For example, stores might soon be able to predict energy needs before they happen or adjust operations automatically based on live data.

Drawing from this shared expertise, it’s clear how technology is helping retail businesses become more sustainable in practical ways. Tools like IoT and automation make it easier to cut energy use, reduce waste, and improve daily operations. While there are still some challenges, ongoing improvements in tech offer even more potential. For retailers, using these tools is quickly becoming essential—not just for efficiency, but for meeting growing expectations around environmental responsibility.

About Ashok Kumar Kalyanam

Ashok Kumar Kalyanam is an Agile Program Manager with over 15 years of experience delivering complex technology and infrastructure projects across sectors like healthcare, retail, life sciences, and industrial automation. With a strong background in software engineering and a career that began in technical development and architecture, he has steadily moved into senior program and delivery roles, leading high-stakes initiatives for global clients such as Verizon, Amazon, and Humana.

Recognized for his expertise in Agile methodologies and technical delivery, Kalyanam offers practical understanding of tools like Java, AWS, Oracle, and microservices, alongside deep experience with project governance, stakeholder management, and compliance-driven execution. His work often bridges the gap between strategy and implementation—whether managing cross-functional teams, integrating ESG data into operations, or applying automation and IoT to solve real-world problems with measurable impact.