Som Narayan (Carbon Masters): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Som Narayan is a prominent environmental engineer and entrepreneur known primarily for co-founding Carbon Masters, an innovative climate-tech company with a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions through waste-to-energy solutions and sustainable agriculture. Having studied Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh and holding advanced degrees in environmental engineering and environmental law, Narayan has become a key figure driving India's low-carbon transition. His leadership in Carbon Masters, especially as CEO, has propelled the company to the forefront of climate technology, helping organizations transform organic waste into renewable biomethane and bio-enriched organic manure. This article explores Som Narayan's background, achievements, and the impact of Carbon Masters under his stewardship, highlighting important milestones and the company's role in India's sustainability movement.

1. Educational and Professional Background

Som Narayan holds a Master’s degree in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, obtained in 2008, where he focused on the feasibility of low carbon technologies for the energy sector and policies for coal power plants. Before this, he earned an Environmental Engineering degree and a Postgraduate diploma in Environmental Law from the National Law School of India University. His academic foundation blends technical expertise and regulatory knowledge, equipping him to tackle complex environmental challenges. Early on, he worked with organizations like Friends of the Earth, gaining experience in environmental campaigning and policy.

2. Co-Founding Carbon Masters

In 2009, Som Narayan co-founded Carbon Masters alongside Kevin Houston. The company originated in the UK and has since expanded globally, with offices in Edinburgh, Bangalore, and Quito. Carbon Masters was born out of the founders' passion to help organizations measure, manage, reduce, and report their carbon emissions with scientifically rigorous methods. Narayan played a crucial role in establishing Carbon Masters’ presence in India, setting up its Bangalore office in 2012 and helping position it as a leader in carbon management and climate-tech innovation within the region.

3. Carbon Masters: Mission and Impact

Under Som Narayan’s leadership, Carbon Masters focuses on converting organic waste streams—traditionally destined for landfills—into renewable biomethane (bio-CNG) and nutrient-rich organic manure, branded as Carbonlites. This approach addresses key contributors to greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously promoting circular economy principles. Carbon Masters’ solutions are particularly impactful in India’s energy and agriculture sectors, which together contribute a substantial share of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s work supports cleaner fuel alternatives, soil enrichment, and sustainable livelihoods.

4. Innovation in Waste-to-Energy Solutions

Carbon Masters has pioneered scalable models for converting food and agricultural wastes into clean energy. Its bio-CNG production substitutes fossil fuels such as LPG and diesel used in cooking, heating, and transport. This technology not only reduces carbon emissions but also mitigates waste pollution problems in urban centers. Carbon Masters operates five bio-CNG plants across Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, processing tens of thousands of tonnes of municipal solid waste annually and producing bio-CNG and bio-enriched manure at scale.

5. Recognition and Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Som Narayan and Carbon Masters have attracted significant investments and strategic partnerships that validate their business model and environmental impact. Notably, Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia (SEEAA) has led multiple funding rounds to help Carbon Masters scale its production capacity and expand its product portfolio. These collaborations enable the company to reach more customers, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems in India.

6. Contribution to Policy and Climate Advocacy

Earlier in his career, Narayan conducted research on the economic impacts of the UK Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment legislation and contributed to climate campaigns with Friends of the Earth and the World Development Movement Scotland. This background informs his pragmatic approach to combining technology innovation with policy awareness. His expertise enables Carbon Masters to align closely with evolving climate regulations and sustainability frameworks, ensuring practical solutions are both environmentally effective and economically viable.

7. Leadership in Building a Sustainable Business Model

Som Narayan’s leadership style is marked by technical mastery and collaborative spirit, which helped Carbon Masters grow from a consultancy to a full-fledged climate-tech venture. His ability to secure investor confidence, lead project delivery, and maintain high standards of environmental integrity underpins the company’s success. Narayan prioritizes a systemic change approach, integrating renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to build a circular, low-carbon economy.

8. Carbon Masters’ Social and Environmental Impact

Beyond environmental benefits, Carbon Masters contributes to social development by creating jobs and supporting farmers through improved soil health with organic manure. Its projects help divert thousands of tonnes of organic waste from landfills, thus reducing methane emissions. The company supplies bio-CNG to commercial kitchens, industries, transport fleets, and city gas networks, providing cleaner energy alternatives and fostering sustainability in multiple economic sectors.

9. Future Prospects and Expansion Plans

Looking ahead, Som Narayan envisions expanding Carbon Masters’ footprint through additional bio-CNG plants and innovation in bio-enriched fertilisers. The company is preparing for new equity raises to finance at least five upcoming special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to grow operations across southern India. With continued focus on operational efficiencies, research and development, and collaborative growth, Carbon Masters aims to eliminate around 270,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030, marking a significant contribution to India’s net zero ambitions.

10. Personal Impact and Public Engagement

Som Narayan has also made an impact publicly with engaging presentations and advocacy on climate change, including speeches to the Holyrood Parliament. Known as a 'Carbon Master' both for his expertise and commitment, he has been praised for his ability to lead complex projects to successful delivery and foster partnerships that enhance climate action efforts. His dedication to climate tech, policy alignment, and sustainable business innovation continues to inspire growing support within and beyond India.

Conclusion

Som Narayan’s journey from an environmental engineering student to the CEO and co-founder of Carbon Masters exemplifies the potent combination of knowledge, innovation, and leadership in tackling climate change. Through Carbon Masters, Narayan has helped pioneer scalable solutions that transform waste into renewable energy and organic fertilisers, advancing both environmental and social goals. His work demonstrates how climate-tech ventures can be pivotal in emerging economies’ pathways toward net zero. As Carbon Masters expands and innovates further, the question remains: how can such pioneering models be replicated widely to accelerate the global low-carbon transition?