The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 3, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has earned global recognition for its commitment to sustainability by securing the second position in the prestigious S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for the aluminium sector. This remarkable achievement is underpinned by an impressive overall score of 77, reflecting the company’s leadership in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters. Notably, this marks the fourth consecutive year that Vedanta Aluminium has ranked among the top companies worldwide in these assessments.
The S&P Global CSA serves as an esteemed global benchmark, tracking the performance of leading companies based on economic, environmental, and social criteria. Its comprehensive evaluation method includes a mix of company disclosures, stakeholder analysis, media reports, and in-depth company engagement, with a strong focus on how well a company manages ESG risks, opportunities, and impacts.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-executive Director at Vedanta Limited and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc (HZL), expressed her pride in the company’s accomplishment, stating, “This recognition is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Vedanta Aluminium. Securing the 2nd position globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment reflects not only our unwavering commitment to sustainability but also the passion and hard work of our teams who strive to make a meaningful difference every day. At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe that sustainability is about creating long-term value — for the planet, our communities, and the future we all share. This milestone reinforces our dedication to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and inspires us to continue setting new benchmarks in responsible and innovative practices. Together, we are shaping a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.”
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at Vedanta Aluminium, also weighed in on the achievement, saying, “We are proud to be recognized as leaders in sustainability, securing the 2nd rank in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. This achievement underscores our ongoing commitment to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance principles across every aspect of our operations. As we continue our journey toward Net Zero by 2050, we remain focused on creating long-term value through innovation, operational excellence, and responsible practices that contribute to a more sustainable future for all.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its continued efforts since it embarked on its ESG journey in FY2021. The company has made significant strides toward achieving its Net Zero carbon goal by 2050, with recent accomplishments including a 10.16% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity compared to the FY2021 baseline. Additionally, the company has pioneered biodiversity and carbon reduction initiatives in Odisha in partnership with PwC India and became the first Indian aluminium smelter to digitally connect to the London Metal Exchange (LME) Passport platform, ensuring quality assurance and compliance for metal shipments.
In FY2024, Vedanta Aluminium also recycled over 15 billion litres of water and utilized 20 tonnes of biomass briquettes per day at its refinery, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually.
As part of its Net Zero journey, Vedanta Aluminium continues to reduce its carbon footprint while also offsetting residual emissions. The company is increasing its use of renewable energy, enhancing manufacturing efficiencies, and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources like biofuels. Additionally, it is creating significant carbon sinks through various initiatives to offset its remaining carbon emissions, reinforcing its long-term commitment to a sustainable future.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
