Vedanta ranks among top sustainable companies
Vedanta has made significant improvements in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance with its Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) ranking in the metals and mining sector having risen to #12 this year, as against #21 in 2019.
The company’s sustainability ranking shows a three-year trend of continuous improvement. The percentile improvement is 86 per cent this year compared to 70 per cent in 2019 and 60 per cent in 2018.
Vedanta is ranked #2 in the metals and mining category in the Asia Pacific region this year, as compared to #7 last year. Reflecting the Group’s strong commitment to do business in the most sustainable way, Hindustan Zinc topped the sustainability rankings in the Asia Pacific region, while its overall DJSI ranking this year stood at #8.
The DJSI are float-adjusted market capitalization weighted indices that measure the performance of companies selected with ESG criteria.
Vedanta’s DJSI score this year has improved to #66, compared to #51 last year. The company has reported big improvements in its ratings in critical areas, including human rights, social impact on communities and water-related risks. The company’s DJSI score on human rights has risen sharply from 20 to 73 since last year, while on the social impacts on communities, the company’s score has improved from 47 to 89.
In biodiversity, Vedanta’s score increased from 38 to 79, while in case of risk and crisis management, the company’s score improved from 32 to 66. In climate strategy, the DJSI score rose to 73 this year as against 40 in 2019.
Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, which evaluates the sustainability performance of the world's largest companies, has given Vedanta 100 per cent score in materiality, environmental reporting, water related risks and social reporting.
Commending the company’s leadership teams for the improvement in sustainability performance, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said: “We remain committed to our vision of “Zero Harm, Zero Waste, Zero Discharge” and will continue to operate under the highest standards of corporate governance and deliver value to all our stakeholders. Vedanta is well-positioned to create an impact not just for ourselves but also for the communities, regions, countries and industries where we operate.”
Meanwhile, in a major step to lower greenhouse gas emissions, Vedanta has joined hands with the government to sign a declaration on climate change by voluntarily pledging to move towards `carbon-neutrality.’
Vedanta signed the declaration, along with more than twenty top private companies, which have aligned themselves with India’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. The mission is to take the country to net zero emission goal through specific emission measures, including promotion of renewable energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water efficient processes, green mobility, planned afforestation and waste management & recycling.
The Vedanta Group, comprising sector leaders including Hindustan Zinc Limited, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Aluminium, Sterlite Copper, Sesa Goa, ESL and Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) have deployed world-class sustainability measures across each of its operation sites. This has resulted in multiple awards and recognitions spanning interventions in key areas such as community development, water management and safety protocols.
One of these measures was the Biodiversity Offset Agreement signed between VZI and the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC) which resulted in the declaration of Gamsberg Nature Reserve (GBNR) as a Protected Area under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) (NEMPAA) on 5 August 2019.
In addition, VZI upgraded the local nursery to ensure continuous improvements regarding the protection, conservation and propagation of threatened and protected species for conservation and utilization of future planned rehabilitation of disturbed areas. An additional 60 plant beds (120 beds in total) was constructed to increase the plant numbers to ensure compliance to plant numbers as per integrated flora permit conditions. A dedicated propagation unit and hardening area was also established to prepare propagated plants for utilization in rehabilitation efforts.
Vedanta aims to deliver growth and long-term value while upholding sustainable development through its diversified portfolio of large, long-life and low-cost assets. The sustainable development agenda is built on four pillars - Responsible Stewardship, Building Strong Relationships, Adding and Sharing Value, and Strategic Communications – which are developed in line with UNGC's 10 principles, United Nation's SDGs and standards set by International Finance Corporation (IFC), ICMM and OECD.
The Sustainable Development Model provides the organisation with a robust structure for driving future growth, advancing business outcomes and offering significant benefits to the communities. The sustainability framework enables the business units to adopt sustainable business principles into their systems and procedures. The framework comprises policies, technical standards, management standards and guidance notes across the pillars to establish clear standards, set targets for improving performance and maximise value to all stakeholders.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. The company has been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred CII-ITC Sustainability Award, the FICCI CSR Award, Dun & Bradstreet Awards in Metals & Mining, and certified as a Great Place to Work. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more information please visit www.vedantalimited.comFor further information please contact:
Director, Communications and Brand
Vedanta Limited
Roma.Balwani@vedanta.co.in
Mr. Anirvan Bhattacharjee / Lennon D’Souza
Adfactors PR
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Abhinaba.das@vedanta.co.inHoodia gordonii as propagated in Gamsberg Nursery
Seedlings propagated from seeds and cutting and transplanted to concrete plant beds.