India Inc. on World Environment Day 2022

On June 5, people all across the world commemorate World Environment Day to raise awareness about the significance of protecting planet Earth, our one and only true home.

#OnlyOneEarth is the theme for 2022, and it focuses on our responsibilities as Earth citizens in protecting the environment and encouraging sustainable living everywhere and every day.

It has become critical to discuss climate change, pollution, and its impact on our fragile ecology, as well as our basic human rights to live in a healthy environment.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has established World Environment Day (UNEP). Concerned persons and organisations from all over the world have been working together for a long time to make the world a better place to live by striving to protect the natural environment.

In the wake of such an important day, let us look at the commitments made and initiatives undertaken by India Inc. towards environment conservation and combating climate change.

Her Circle

Her Circle, a platform devoted wholly towards women, through engaging content in the digital world, hosts India’s First Carbon-Neutral Cover Photoshoot. With a larger goal to uplift, empower and provide a safe space for women, the team stands committed to building awareness for the cause of sustainability. Backed with the mantra ‘go minimal for maximum impact’, the team curated a sustainability-themed photoshoot, perfectly timed to World Environment Day.

The outcome of the shoot shines a light on sustainability solutions. From featuring sustainability trailblazers to the choice of location; and from styling–makeup-catering; to the mode of travel, each element was passed through the filters of sustainability.

The endeavour of the shoot was clear – make fashion a sustainability cause. In a world crippled by global warming and where fashion and lifestyle choices directly impact the environment, sustainability is not just a trend to join, but rather a personal responsibility through unconventional creative imaginations and executions.

Featuring in the very special edition are three trailblazing women on the digital cover, who walk the talk and lead by example. Kirti Poonia, the champion of circularity fashion; Rameshwari Seth, Vegan, a clean beauty entrepreneur, and Elsie Gabriel an award-winning environmentalist. Each of these ladies follows the three R’s – reduce, reuse, and recycle. Each, conscious to consume less than the planet can replenish.

HDFC Mutual Fund

After the success of its maiden Go Green initiative, HDFC Mutual Fund is back with its socially responsible #NurtureNature campaign again this year. Through this campaign, it aims to plant a sapling for every Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) registered online in eligible Equity-oriented and Gold Schemes between 01 June – 10 June, 2022. Last year, in association with Grow-Trees.com, HDFC MF planted thousands of saplings under this innovative social cause.  #NutureNature campaign aims to promote the cause of planet-friendly afforestation and spread awareness about the environmental and ecological significance of trees. On its part, HDFC MF encourages investors and partners to opt for online investments.

Similar to last year, after a period of 3-months from the date of registration of the SIP, a tree will be planted on behalf of the investor. The investor will also receive an e-Certificate from HDFC MF, for registering a SIP through digital / online modes with a minimum amount of Rs. 2000 per month, for a tenure of at least 3-years in eligible Equity-oriented and Gold Schemes.

Commenting on this socially responsible initiative, Mr. Navneet Munot, MD & CEO, HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd. said, “Our #NurtureNature initiative to plant trees on behalf of investors registering digital SIPs, is an endeavor to help investors create wealth while contributing to a greener future. In a digitally inter-connected world, digital onboarding provides investors convenience in investing while also supporting the cause of sustainable development.”

CEAT Tyres

CEAT Tyres celebrated World Environment Day 2022 with the “Seed Ball Making” activity to raise awareness about the importance of conserving nature. The activity of Seed Ball making conducted across all CEAT Plants saw an active participation of more than 1000 employees from Nashik, Bhandup, Nagpur, Ambernath, Halol and Chennai plants. The company has aimed to make 15,000 to 20,000 seed balls and disperse them in and around the plant locations to bring down carbon footprint and increase the green cover.

Arnab Banerjee, COO – CEAT states, “With the ever-increasing concerns of the environment, it’s time we strike a balance with nature to reduce adversities for the future generation. At CEAT, our immediate goal is to reduce 50% of carbon emissions by 2030. We are working towards different mechanisms to increase the environmental footprint of the production and usage of our products.”

CEAT continues its commitment to sustainability ethos through various initiatives. It is increasing the green cover through tree plantation, awareness campaigns on Green Energy, and management of E-Waste in residences among others.

Tanishq

Tanishq has made a commitment to steadily progress to being water positive and carbon neutral by 2030. As a part of the same, Mia by Tanishq, one of India’s most fashionable jewelry brands for millennials and Gen Z announced the use of 100% recycled gold for manufacturing its jewelry. The brand has also unveiled various new initiatives toward building an inclusive jewelry brand with respect to the environment, resources, and consumers.  As a part of the Environment day theme ‘Only One Earth’, Mia by Tanishq has taken a green leap forward and is pleased to announce this initiative. Mia’s larger vision for Sustainability includes various initiatives and programs that contribute toward building a society with clean energy and a conscious lifestyle.

Along with Mia by Tanishq, the Titan jewelry division joins hands towards the commitment to make strides to improve energy management, water conservation, and reduce carbon emissions with a resolve to make a change by contributing toward a greener earth.

Speaking on brand’s sustainability initiatives, Mr. Ajoy Chawla, CEO, Titan jewellery division, says “The Jewellery Division has set ambitious sustainability goals of becoming Carbon neutral and Water positive in manufacturing by 2030. Further, as part of our Responsible Sourcing initiative, we have a robust 4-P framework – People, Place, Process & Planet in place with all our vendor partners, to ensure they meet our definition of Standard requirement for their operations, by the end of this fiscal. All our Jewellery retail stores are also moving towards becoming more energy and water efficient through multiple initiatives.

While 40% of the total gold used in the division for manufacturing jewellery is recycled, I’m delighted to share that 100% of gold used for ‘Mia by Tanishq’ is now recycled gold, reducing the need for mining fresh gold. Further, in keeping with this year’s Environment Day theme of ‘Only one earth’, a tree will be planted for every customer who buys from a Mia store in the month of June in 8 villages of Bhilwara.”

Marico

Marico launched its Sustainability 2.0 Framework that highlights the company’s commitment to drive sustainable value creation and stakeholder capitalism in this decade of action. Covering over 50 KPIs across the environmental, social, and governance pillars -the initiative defines Marico’s long-term sustainability goals that they aim to achieve by 2030. The announcement, which comes close on the heels of the company’s recent announcement to achieve net-zero emissions for its global operations, maps a detailed framework for the deployment of various high impact initiatives.

Mr. Saugata Gupta, MD & CEO, Marico Limited, said, “Organizations today face multiple ESG challenges, from climate crisis to business ethics and human rights, none of which can be deferred or delayed any longer. The need to shift to more sustainable business operations is urgent and critical. The launch of our Sustainability 2.0 initiative reaffirms our commitment to becoming a future-ready organization that creates value for all stakeholders, from its employees and business partners to the communities in which it operates. The initiative will help us to reduce our environmental impact, balance profitability with sustainability, and implement a more transparent, efficient, and effective corporate governance framework. Doing so will not only help us, as a responsible corporate citizen, become more prepared for future challenges and opportunities but also include our stakeholders in the march towards progress.”

As part of the deployment, Marico has outlined an extensive 8-point commitment to effect change around the following key focus areas:

Net Zero emissions in operations:

Marico’s net zero emissions’ target in global operations has been set for 2040. In India, however, by virtue of our decade of action goals and action plans, we intend to achieve net zero in operations by 2030. Transition to renewables, investments in low-carbon technology options, carbon forestry and 100% phase-out of fossil fuels from our operations are the key enablers for the company to transcend into its net zero, carbon neutral and climate resilient future.

Water Stewardship:

The company aims to achieve certified water-neutral operations across all its manufacturing facilities by offsetting 100% of its consumption volume with capacity created for community use. To this end, we have estimated the water stress potential of our facilities in 2022 and created long-term plans (upto 2030) to replenish more water for the communities than consumed in our operations. Additionally, operational measures will be adopted in each unit to optimize our surface water consumption intensity by implementing water efficiency-based systems, rainwater usage for process cooling purposes and deploying zero liquid discharge (ZLD) principles to reduce consumption in our manufacturing units.

Recycling and Circular Economy initiatives:

Marico aims to achieve 100% recyclable packaging by 2025, with a focus on sustainable packaging interventions and promoting circularity to reduce its carbon footprint. During this period, it plans to phase out hazardous substances such as PVCs while introducing at least 30% r-PCR in its packaging portfolio.

Responsible Sourcing (Samyut):

Marico’s Responsible Sourcing Framework (Samyut) is anchored on three pivotal themes – Environmental Stewardship, Ethical Responsibilities and Social Empowerment. The framework is instituted by a three-part maturity-based roadmap that imbibes our value chain partners into Marico’s philosophy and purpose of creating sustainable impact across its value chain. By 2030, the company plans to roll out Level 1 (Capacity building and voluntary declaration of commitments) across 100% of its critical suppliers, and Level 2 (Independent risk-based external audits to validate voluntary commitments) to 50% of its critical suppliers who have completed Level 1. Additionally, annual reporting of key metrics such as traceability, indigenous materials’ procurement share, and sustainable materials share will be part of Marico’s 2030 goals on responsible sourcing.

Sustainable coconut farming and boosting farmers’ livelihoods:

Marico aims to empower approx. 1+ lakh farmers about sustainable practices and develop a Sustainable Coconut standard that provides recommendations to offset the crop’s carbon footprint across its entire lifecycle. These measures are aimed at improving productivity and enhancing climate resilience, as well as offsetting carbon impact through afforestation programs, across coconut plantations. The program aims to enroll 4+ lakh acres of coconut plantation by 2025 and achieve a cumulative productivity improvement rate of 16%.

Responsible Brands:

By virtue of the organization’s core value systems, sustainable value creation is ingrained in every brand’s existence and purpose. By 2030, Marico aims to cohere the purpose, messaging, and impact-based actions of its top 5 brands by revenue with the goals and targets outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Each of the top 5 brands will annually quantify and disclose on the sustainable impacts created year-on-year in adherence to the relevant UN-SDGs alongwith its targets and indicators.

Inclusion and Diversity:

Marico believes in fostering a diversity conscious, diversity ready, and socially inclusive workplace. Towards this, we target to enhance our gender diversity ratio to 30% and the differently abled to 5%, as part of our decade of action roadmap. Various programs and activities such as sensitization training, policy and process rollouts, infrastructure enablement, etc. – will be overseen by the Inclusion & Diversity council and Organization Effectiveness teams to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

Human Rights and Ethics:

At Marico, all activities are led by a sense of responsibility, underpinned by our principles of good governance. Our corporate governance framework enables us to maintain highest standards of human rights, ethics, and integrity across our operations. Throughout our decade of action journey, we will continue to imbibe the philosophy and principles related to human rights and ethics amongst our entire stakeholder ecosystem (members, value chain partners and business associates). Mandatory trainings, knowledge management sessions and periodic evaluations will be undertaken at regular intervals to track performance, preparedness, risks, and opportunities related to human rights and business ethics across organizational hierarchy.

M3M

Taking an important step towards saving the environment, M3M Foundation has planted more than 200 saplings of Neem, Jamun, Banyan, Shehtoot and Pipal in the government school of Kaliyaki village, Tauru, in the Nuh district of Haryana under the “Sankalp” program. Along with M3M Foundation President Aishwarya Mahajan and his team, there were Sarpanch Shri Ramchandra Ji, village people, school principals, teachers, and children who participated enthusiastically in collaboration with Sir Syed Trust, taking a pledge to save the environment.

Speaking on this campaign, Dr. Payal Kanodia, Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “The benefits of the Sankalp programme will reach the people from the grassroot level and will bring a helpful socio-economic change in rural India.” The local community will also be more aware of environmental protection through the initiative. As a responsible organisation, it’s our duty to address all the environmental issues and contribute as much as we can to the welfare of your society. “

The M3M Foundation has pledged to plant one million trees across the country, and so far more than two lakh trees have been planted in different places. On the other hand, the M3M Foundation is also working on saving water and other issues related to it.

ITC India

On this World Environment Day, ITC reaffirmed its commitment towards a Greener Earth through its bold Sustainability 2.0 agenda.

Building on its sustainability journey of over two decades, ITC, under the leadership of its Chairman Sanjiv Puri, has articulated an ambitious Vision to scale up its efforts in fighting climate change, whilst supporting large scale sustainable livelihoods.

Commenting on ITC’s multidimensional sustainability initiatives, Mr. S Sivakumar, Group Head, Agri, IT and Sustainability, ITC Ltd, said “ITC has, over the years, implemented innovative business models which synergise the building of economic, environmental, and social capital as a unified strategy. Today, our ambitious Sustainability 2.0 agenda aims to further strengthen ITC’s efforts towards decarbonisation, building green infrastructure, promoting climate-smart and regenerative agriculture, ensuring water security for all, restoring biodiversity through nature-based solutions, creating an effective circular economy, creating sustainable packaging solutions and enabling the transition to a net zero economy. We believe this will go a long way in combating the climate crisis and supporting meaningful livelihood opportunities.”

ITC is today the only Company of comparable dimensions to be water, carbon, and solid waste recycling positive for over a decade and a half.  In recognition of its superior Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) models, the Company has been rated ‘A -’ at the Leadership Level for both Climate Change and Water Security by CDP, ‘AA’ by MSCI-ESG (the highest amongst peers) and was also included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index.

As a part of its efforts to transition towards Net Zero, ITC has made significant investments in renewable energy. Currently, clean energy powers 24 factories, 14 hotels, and 5 office buildings of the Company across 14 states.  Last year, ITC set a target to meet 100% of its grid electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, it meets around 42% of all its electrical energy requirements through renewable means. With a focus on solar energy, the Company has commissioned both onsite and offsite plants across states. ITC has maximized usage of rooftops of its Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics (ICML) facilities, factories and warehouses for solar power generation. As many as 39 properties of ITC are Platinum rated green buildings by USGBC-LEED/IGBC. ITC’s Windsor Hotel in Bengaluru became the first hotel in the world to be LEED® Zero Carbon certified, followed by ITC Grand Chola and ITC Gardenia.

To contribute to a ‘Greener Earth’, ITC has also been running an integrated water stewardship programme, covering over 1.33 million acres of land and creating a total rainwater harvesting potential which was over 3 times the net water consumed by its operations during last year. The demand management interventions for promoting water efficiency in agriculture have resulted in potential water savings to the tune of 496.5 million cubic metres till date. Following the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Platinum level certification of ITC’s Paperboards and Specialty Papers unit at Kovai, the first ever site in India to achieve the highest global standard, the Company is in the process of implementing the AWS Standards and obtaining certification at other units in high water stress areas.

Similarly, ITC’s extensive biodiversity programme focusses on reviving ecosystem services provided to agriculture such as natural regulation of pests, pollination, nutrient cycling, soil health retention and genetic diversity, which have witnessed considerable erosion over the past few decades. The initiative has cumulatively covered 1.3 lakh acres in more than 29 districts across 10 states. ITC aims to expand the programme to cover over 10,00,000 acres by 2030.

To derisk agriculture from effects of climate change, ITC has introduced a Climate Smart Agriculture programme, which covers 15 lakh acres, benefitting over 4.5 lakh farmers. As an integral part of this, a Climate Smart Village initiative covering over 2,500 villages and over 8.2 lakh acres, has led to reduction in GHG emissions by up to 66% and an increase in communities’ income by up to 93% for soyabean crop in Madhya Pradesh. ITC’s large-scale social and farm forestry programme has greened over 9,50,000 acres, generating over 173million person days of employment.

Moving towards Circular Economy, the Company went beyond plastic neutrality in 2021-22 by collecting and sustainably managing more than 54,000 tonnes of plastic waste across 35 states/union territories. ITC’s flagship solid waste management programme, ITC ‘WOW – Well Being Out of Waste’ programme, has covered over 1.8 crore citizens providing sustainable livelihood to more than 17,300 waste collectors.

In line with its Vision for a sustainable packaging future, ITC’s Paperboards and Packaging Businesses have leveraged cutting-edge research and innovation capabilities of ITC Life Sciences and technology Centre to launch several first-of-its kind packaging solutions, which facilitate reduction, substitution and recyclability of plastic. The Company is now endeavouring to ensure that over the next decade, 100% of its packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable/biodegradable.

Tata Tea

Tata Tea launched its latest edition of #JaagoRe, aimed at spreading awareness on a cause which is the most defining crisis of our time – Climate Change.

Over the past few decades, the implications of climate change have been unprecedented. According to a report by Save The Children^[1] in 2021, if the Earth continues to get warmer at the current rate, children born in last decade and after will witness more heat waves, floods, droughts, and wildfires than earlier generations.  A similar report by UNICEF^[2] states that approximately 1 billion children live in countries classified as ‘extremely high-risk’ due to climate change.

This makes it critical for us to fight climate change if we want to protect the future of our children.

Over the years, Tata Tea’s #JaagoRe initiatives has become a clarion call for social awakening tackling key issues with the brand and platform, inspiring and facilitating genuine changes within the society. With the current edition, Tata Tea #JaagoRe aims to explain how Climate Change impacts a normal citizen and highlights how it  will affect our future generations. By making it personal and relatable it hopes to inspire people to make small behavior changes and take simple actionable steps together, that can help us in fighting climate change and hence make this planet better for the future of our children.

In its 15^th year, the Tata Tea Jaago Re platform with a new TVC, brings back acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi who was a part of the first ever Jaago Re communication. Created by Mullen Lintas, The TVC is releasing on World Environment Day (5^th June). It showcases the fact that while a few degrees of heat can disrupt the comfort in our home, we may still be callously apathetic about the rapid climate change the world is witnessing evidently through weather disruptions like soaring temperatures. Jolting us to wake up and acknowledge climate change, the key message of the film is delivered through the lens of a child, thereby serving as a pressing reminder for all parents to act now against climate change, lest it becomes too late to protect the future of our children.

Most of us reminisce our childhood which had its fair share of outdoor activities, however as parents we are concerned to send our kids to outdoors because of rising temperature, polluted environment etc Hence with the proposition that ‘Apne Liye Nahin Toh …Apne Bachon Ke Future Ke Liye Jaago Re’ , the TVC highlights the fact that climate change is all pervasive, affecting families across all stratas of society. The film implores all citizens to come forward and pledge their support to help fight climate change by contributing through small everyday actions. A microsite (Jaagore.com) allows individuals to pledge their support along with providing information on small everyday actions that one could take in the fight against climate change.

Commenting on the initiative, Puneet Das, President – Packaged Beverages (India & South Asia), said, “Tata Tea Jaago Re has always been synonymous for evoking social issues by not just initiating conversations but also ensuring due actions. Power of Jaago Re lies in unleashing the action taken by the common man that can collectively trigger a larger societal change.  While climate change and its negative impacts have long been discussed, it is critical to understand how children are rendered the most vulnerable in this context. The current edition of Tata Tea Jaago Re is based on the most basic parenting insight of protecting our children and ensuring that we do everything to give them a better future. Hence it encourages parents and individuals to take smaller actions like opting for sustainable energy methods, recycling materials, all of which can result in a safer and better planet for the next generation to inhabit”.

Duroflex

India’s leading sleep solutions brand, Duroflex, is at the forefront of research and innovation. The brand has wide product portfolio that caters to every kind of consumer. Over the past few years, there has been an upward trend in the number of consumers who seek products that not only meet their needs but are also good for the planet. To help these consumers extend their conscious choices to their sleep space, Duroflex has revamped and extended their eco-friendly range of mattresses and sleep accessories – Natural Living. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Duroflex has introduced mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows and bed linens made entirely of natural materials – 100% Natural Latex, Rubberised Coir, Cotton, Tencel and Ethicot.

The products in this range are crafted from ethically sourced sustainable materials and are produced without any intervention of heavy machinery. The GOLS certified latex used for the production of this range is sourced from the company’s own rubber plantation in Kerala. Currently, Duroflex is the only brand in India using GOLS certified latex. The chemical free pure cotton and bamboo fabrics contributes towards one’s health and well-being. They are hypo-allergenic, soft to touch, naturally resilient and highly breathable. The natural coir used in the mattress keeps the person naturally cool. Because of its use of natural materials this range is also highly recommended for people with allergies, respiratory disorders, and those who need extra care.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohanraj J, CEO, Duroflex, said, “As a responsible consumer brand, our endeavour is to support our consumers towards a sustainable lifestyle. With our Natural Living range, consumers will find everything they need for an eco-friendly and safe sleep space. The mattresses and sleep accessories under the range are made of GOLS certified latex, chemical free pure cotton and bamboo-cotton blend fabrics which contribute towards one’s health and well-being while being eco-friendly. The fact that we are one of the few brands with our own latex production in the country bears testament to the kind of quality we want to provide to our consumers.”

LogiNext

Sustainability is more important than ever before. In a survey conducted by Gartner, more than 50% of respondents comprising enterprise brands mentioned sustainability as ‘very important’ and another 30% as ‘somewhat important’ meaning that more than 80% of enterprises are focusing on sustainability. Logistics and Transportation is a critical area where enterprises can use automation to and reduce GHG emissions. Keeping this in mind, LogiNext, an end to end logistics automation platform has launched a carbon footprint calculator that’ll help businesses plan better and meet their sustainability goals.

An average enterprise customer of LogiNext in North America would have a fleet size of 300 and each vehicle would drive 70 miles on average every day. LogiNext’s route optimization algorithm and overall planning helps an enterprise reduce emissions by upto 20%. For the above customer, annual emission reduction amounts to 0.2 million tons. This number is derived from LogiNext’s simulation results along with standardized GHG emission numbers from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“Reducing GHG emissions by making logistics operations more efficient has been one of the key priorities for most of the enterprises we speak to across the globe. Apart from route optimization, LogiNext’s capabilities like capacity utilization and order batching has helped enterprises reduce fleet size by upto 25%. Essentially, brands are able to do a lot more with the same resources by digitally transforming their operations,” says Dhruvil Sanghvi, CEO of LogiNext.

Brands like KFC, BurgerKing, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Singapore Post, Cargo Expreso and MaltaPost are amongst the 200+ brands in 50+ countries that leverage LogiNext’s platform capabilities to digitize, optimize and automate their logistics processes. From all of this historical data around reduction in carbon footprint by bringing in automation, LogiNext has come up with a calculator which will help enterprises gauge the kind of impact they’ll be able to make by using the LogiNext platform.