Restart 2021 With Responsible Business Practices

As we restart 2021 in the midst of the global pandemic, companies are doubling down on ESG targets, responsible business practices and initiatives to solve future disasters. Says Rahul Agarwal, MD and CEO, Lenovo India, “Technology can play a fundamental role in improving resilience in communities impacted by natural and other disasters. Lenovo aims to combine the power of world-class technology solutions with the creativity and know-how of local entrepreneurs and charitable organisations, to achieve better preparedness, recovery, and resilience.” The global tech giant has launched the second edition of the SAFE STEPS Disaster Tech (D-Tech) Awards.

The D-Tech Awards find, fund and support technology solutions that save lives before, during or after natural disaster events. Organisations participating in the Awards will stand a chance to win grants from a pool of US$200,000 to support the implementation and scaling of their D-Tech solutions.

Says Abdullah Khan, head of Packaging Sustainability Laundry & Home Care at Henkel: “We are increasing the share of recycled material across our entire portfolio and many packaging includes recycled plastics already. It is not always possible to advance to 100% – also due to the limited availability of high-quality material. Nevertheless, we have significantly expanded the number of consumer products with bottles made of 100% recycled plastics.” By increasing the number of packaging made of recycled material, Henkel not only contributes to a circular economy but also to climate protection: Recycled PET has an almost 80% lower CO2 footprint compared to virgin plastic.

Under the CSR initiative ‘Meetha Sona’, DCM Shriram Ltd – Sugar Business works with the agricultural community in Hardoi & Lakhimpur Kheri, UP to enhance the capacities and knowledge of farmers towards sustainable sugarcane cultivation. The Company helped growers to adopt and scale-up improved agronomic practices such as trash shredding, mulching, composting, laser levelling and trench planting – enabling farmers to save approximately 299 billion litres of water between FY2019-20 and 2020-21.

Says Roshan Lal Tamak, Executive Director & CEO – Sugar business, DCM Shriram Ltd, “As a socially-responsible company the farmers have been trained on the best agricultural practices and water-efficient methods of production – enabling them to save 299 billion litres of water in the last two years compared to 275 billion litres saved in the three years earlier. It is heartening to note the positive impact and growers have also perceived value in the training provided leading to the adoption of good agri-practices.” Such initiatives are important to fulfil the long term goals for sustainability and climate change.

Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited (KMAMC) recently became a signatory to Climate Action 100+, which is an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. Says Shibani Sircar Kurian, Sr. EVP, Fund Manager and Head- Equity Research, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company, who is also the ESG coordinator for the firm, “The core of our investment philosophy has always been to deliver optimum returns on a sustainable basis for our investors. With evolving investor attitude towards responsible investing, we need to adopt best practices in this area. Becoming signatories to Climate Action 100+ is a further step in this direction.”