21-04-2025
Earth Day 2025: Building A Greener Future, Together
ITC Mughal, Agra too, proudly stands as the first hotel globally to receive a LEED Zero Water certification, setting benchmarks in sustainable hospitality.
In the consumer space, brands are noticing a sharp shift. Dr. Blossom Kochhar, pioneer in aromatherapy and Founder of the Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies, observes, 'The consumer industry is undergoing a transformation as individuals seek products that are effective, ethical, and eco-friendly. Sustainability is no longer a trend—it's a deeper awareness of how our choices impact the planet."
Brands like Akshayakalpa Organic are nurturing this change. As Shashi Kumar, CEO and Co-Founder proudly shares, 'Sustainability is not a separate chapter at Akshayakalpa—it is the central narrative. From our 'Give Back the Milk Pack' initiative, which has recycled over 50,000 kg of plastic, to pioneering biodegradable packaging, we are working hand-in-hand with consumers toward greener choices."
Retail giants are also stepping up meaningfully. At Flipkart, sustainability is embedded into growth. As Nishant Gupta, Head of Sustainability, Flipkart, highlights, 'Sustainability isn't just a goal—it's our driving force. From deploying 10,000+ electric vehicles to sourcing 100% renewable energy for data centers and warehouses, we're creating real impact."
Advertisement
Meanwhile, the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry, often criticized for its environmental footprint, is responding with clear action. KFC India has pledged to build all new outlets around '11 Green Building Must Haves", including solar panels, CO2 sensors, water-saving plumbing, and eco-friendly gas systems. Their 'Future First" journey aims for carbon neutrality by 2030, with a significant milestone already achieved—reducing 3,500 MT of plastic and ensuring that 80% of their packaging is now recyclable or compostable.
advetisement
And it doesn't stop there. Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld Ltd. (which operates McDonald's in West and South India), shares, 'Through our Replace, Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce pillars, we are minimizing environmental impact while maximizing positive community action. Sustainability is not just part of our business—it drives how we do business."
Manufacturing giants are equally leading change at scale. Siemens India, for instance, is driving a tech-powered sustainability approach. Their Mumbai, Goa, and Aurangabad factories now run on solar energy delivering 9MWp of green power and reducing over 4,800 tons of carbon emissions. Their digital technologies are helping customers accelerate their own green transitions—from optimized power consumption to real-time insights in plant maintenance. 'We adhere to the DEGREE framework—a 360° commitment to sustainability," states a Siemens India spokesperson.
advetisement
In FY 2024 alone, Siemens achieved 90% renewable energy consumption and 80% waste recovery through recycling and reuse, a remarkable stride toward carbon neutrality.
Education and community initiatives are crucial for long-term environmental stewardship. At Jindal Foundation, sustainability is deeply human-centered.
Prashant Hota, President and Group Head (CSR and Education), Jindal Steel & Power, notes, 'At Jindal Foundation, we place people, planet, and nation at the heart of everything. Through Eco Clubs across 259 schools, clean drinking water access for 12 million people, afforestation, and waste management initiatives, we are empowering communities to lead sustainability from the grassroots."
The momentum across industries shows that businesses in India are moving beyond performative gestures to genuine, systemic action. As Ankit Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO of Greenway Grameen, perfectly sums up, 'Investments in renewable energy, sustainable sourcing, farm-to-table initiatives—these are not just trends, but essential steps towards a cleaner, greener economy."
