Goa’s small and medium industries could reduce between 8,000 and 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year through targeted efficiency upgrades, according to an audit of around 300 units conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar’s Centre of Research for Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation (CREED).

The audits, carried out in partnership with the state’s Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce, mapped energy and water consumption patterns across local industries and identified often-overlooked operational wastage. Each unit received an investment-grade project report outlining corrective measures, technology upgrades and process optimisations.

“Our work with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under the RAMP programme shows how targeted interventions can reshape industrial performance. By combining advanced research with on-ground support, we will help enterprises become cost-efficient, resource-conscious and future-ready,” said IIT Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja.

CREED coordinator Manigandan S said the Centre’s audit methodology is designed to be both practical and transformative. “We focus on solutions that can be implemented immediately while also preparing industries for long-term sustainability. The response from Goa’s MSMEs has been extremely encouraging,” he said.

If achieved, the potential CO2 savings would be equivalent to offsetting emissions from 1,600 to 2,000 passenger vehicles annually—based on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s benchmark of five tonnes of CO2 per car per year—or to the absorption capacity of around 360,000 to 450,000 mature trees, using estimates of 22 kg of CO2 absorbed per tree each year.

Officials involved in the project said the audits are helping MSMEs address persistent challenges, including high fuel and electricity consumption, inefficient water management and outdated machinery. Many units have identified high-impact, low-investment improvements within days of CREED’s assessments.

CREED has previously implemented similar programmes in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. In Punjab, CREED-led initiatives have already proposed more than 49,000 tonnes of annual CO2 reductions, according to IIT Ropar data.