Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards 2025, when Hero MotoCorp COO Ram Kuppuswamy was recognised for sustainability leadership

The Times Internet Ecopreneur Award 2026 is presented to businesses, and industry leaders who are taking steps towards meaningful environmental change through innovative ideas and sustainable practices. Held every year, the award is aimed to recognise efforts across different sectors that translate sustainability into measurable actions.

In 2025, Ram Kuppuswamy was one among the recipients of this prestigious award. Ram Kuppuswamy is working at the point where climate goals meet factory floors. As the COO - Manufacturing at Hero MotoCorp, he is part of the leadership team steering one of India’s largest mobility companies through a transformation that is as much about industrial scale as it is about environmental responsibility. The journey of responsible manufacturing by Hero Moto Corp received a wider recognition for its sustainability-led manufacturing initiatives.

The recognition was for appreciating the company for reaching 40% carbon neutrality, zero waste-to-landfill operations & 455% water positivity, led by Ram Kuppuswamy and his team. Hero MotoCorp’s sustainability ambitions are ambitious by any industrial standard. The company’s ESG framework lays out goals that include 100% carbon-neutral operations by 2030, 500% water positivity, 100% zero-waste-to-landfill facilities, 95% product recyclability, 100% green dealerships and 30% gender diversity across the country.

While such targets can often sound distant or aspirational, several of Hero’s goals have already moved from paper to practice. It is important for companies to adopt serious climate goals so that efforts are made before the damage becomes irreversible. The Times Internet Ecopreneur Award 2026 aims to empower businesses who dare to put the planet first. This time it is not just limited to organisations and businesses, but also individuals who are working to protect nature and Earth with their efforts.

This initiative positions itself as a platform celebrating enterprises and visionaries who are integrating ecological responsibility into the heart of their work.

According to the organisers, the evaluation process places significant emphasis on measurable environmental outcomes. Entries are expected to demonstrate real-world impact, whether through lowering carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, promoting renewable alternatives, or reducing waste through innovative production and consumption models. The jury members for this year’s awards are, Rajneesh Sareen, Director, Sustainable Habitat Programme, CSE; Blossom Kocchar, Clean Beauty Expert; Bhupinder Bhalla, IAS, Ex Renewable Energy Secretary; Peepal Baba, Founder & Managing Trustee, Give Me Trees Trust, and Ritu Beri, Designer & Sustainability Advocate. These personalities are India's Most Respected Voices in Sustainability & Climate Action. The recognition at the Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards therefore becomes more than just an industry honour. This award continues to highlights the efforts across different sectors, applauses and encourages individuals and organisations working towards sustainability.To nominate yourself for the Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards, Click Here