Welcome to the full Episode 10 of Sustainability Karma, India’s first and only talk show on sustainability on All India Radio.

In this episode of Sustainability Karma, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson Hindustan Zinc, and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta, talks about India’s net zero target, addresses concerns over mines and metals sector’s environmental impact and  CSR initiatives at Vedanta.

Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined India’s goal of achieving net zero by 2070, she adds, Vedanta, in tandem, aspires to become the largest net-zero mining company in India by 2050 or earlier.

To facilitate this energy transition successfully, Agarwal Hebbar adds, the mining sector must focus on extracting critical minerals and metals essential for the shift. Approximately 3 billion tonnes of metal and minerals are required for the energy transition by 2070. Vedanta aims to contribute significantly by locally sourcing materials, leveraging the abundance of resources in our country, including critical minerals like lithium. Leveraging technology is crucial for minimising environmental impact in the mining sector. With proper innovation, mining can be regenerative and sustainable, as seen in advancements similar to open-heart surgery transitioning from a blood bath to a robotic procedure.

Moreover, she adds, Vedanta is committed to becoming a net-zero carbon company by 2050, transforming business units into zero-carbon entities using renewable energy, with some achieving this transformation by 2030. The group efforts extend beyond environmental aspects to positively impact society. For example, they have set ambitious goals, such as becoming net water positive by 2030, contributing to biodiversity, expanding into recycling, and uplifting the lives of 100 million women and children, she adds.

While the focus on environmental aspects in ESG is predominant globally, Agarwal Hebbar says, addressing social norms, particularly gender diversity, remains challenging. India lags in bridging the gender gap, but Vedanta is committed to increasing women’s participation, aiming for 30% representation across our workforce by 2030.

In the journey of ESG adoption, Vedanta emphasises top-down commitment from leadership, extensive training, resource allocation, and active involvement of experts to achieve set goals. Leadership’s commitment to ESG transformation is paramount, and Vedanta’s commitment is evident in its nine transformative goals, including water positivity, net-zero carbon, gender diversity, and positive social impact, she says.

Vedanta’s CSR initiatives, under the Anil Agarwal Foundation, cover diverse areas such as women and children’s welfare, sports, animal welfare, healthcare, and community development. The foundation’s focus on women and children includes initiatives like Nand Ghar, aimed at eradicating child hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, Vedanta is actively involved in promoting sports at the grassroots level, animal welfare, healthcare, and community development. The commitment to these causes is not just a corporate responsibility, Agarwal Hebbar stresses, but is epitomised by its founder’s commitment to give back 75% of his personal wealth for these noble initiatives.