Green.org sat down with Hemanth Setty, the founder of Zero Circle, to learn about how they assist organizations in reporting their Sustainability goals, tracking these goals, and marketing them.
Who is Hemanth Setty?
Hemanth Setty is a seasoned entrepreneurial product and technology leader with extensive experience building startups from the ground up and scaling B2B products within large global organizations. His diverse background allows him to understand his customers’ intrinsic needs to create engaging experiences and drive engagement and adoption. Hemanth comes from Dun & Bradstreet, where he ran the Risk and Compliance product portfolio. His notable achievements include launching the next-generation risk analytics, managing the supplier diversity data program, and establishing the ESG ratings for private companies – currently one of the most extensive ESG ratings available. Hemanth has a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Mysore and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth.
Hemanth founded Zero Circle because he recognized that the current reporting approach for sustainability is broken. Most ratings are notional; only public companies report their sustainability posture, and there is a limited collaboration with their supply chains. Small and medium businesses are the economy’s lifeblood, and we need their participation and involvement to achieve sustainability and global net-zero goals. Hemanth wants to help businesses accelerate toward a circular economy with the help of modern technology and value chain collaboration and benefit from the changing consumer demand for sustainable/circular goods. The sustainability journey is happening, and Zero Circle will be the platform to drive growth & organizational transformation along this journey.
What would you do with $1 Billion dollars?
If I had a billion dollars, I would invest in converting supply chains to be more circular. A circular economy is one in which resources are used and reused in a closed loop system, meaning that materials are kept in use for as long as possible, and then recycled or reused when they can no longer be used. This type of economy is essential for sustainability, as it reduces waste and helps to conserve resources. This would be a major step towards creating a more sustainable future and I believe it is an investment worth making while keeping the economic engines running.
Why do you think sustainability is such an important topic today?
Sustainability is essential in the supply chain because it helps reduce waste and conserve resources. By creating efficient processes, companies can reduce their energy and water consumption and minimize the materials used, which helps to reduce their environmental impact, reduce costs and increase profits. By creating efficient processes and conserving resources, companies can ensure their long-term success and help to protect the planet for future generations.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
With the proper knowledge and resources, the average person can make a big difference in helping to create a more circular economy.
1. Focus on practices to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
2. Buy Vintage gear and clothing
3. Support local businesses to reduce shipping and transportation
4. Educate themselves about sustainable practices