The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 21, 2025
As the world gathers to observe Earth Day 2025 on April 22, this year’s theme — ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ — resonates as a timely call to action. It reminds us that the responsibility of protecting and nurturing our planet rests squarely on our collective shoulders. Amidst Odisha’s rapidly evolving industrial ecosystem, Vedanta Aluminium has emerged as a leading force for environmental transformation, setting benchmarks in sustainability through innovation and action.
In a significant achievement aligning with this year’s Earth Day ethos, Vedanta Aluminium has successfully completed the plantation of one lakh saplings under its flagship Matri Van initiative in Jharsuguda. Launched in July 2024, the initiative was kicked off through a mass plantation drive held in Kapumal — a reclaimed ash storage site — under the aegis of the Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. Conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from district officials, Vedanta employees, and local school children, with over 2,000 saplings planted on the inaugural day alone.
Achieving this ambitious plantation target within a single year highlights Vedanta Aluminium’s steadfast commitment to ecological preservation and environmental rejuvenation. Beyond increasing the region’s green cover, this large-scale initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, promote carbon sequestration, and rehabilitate previously used land into lush green zones — offering a vivid example of industrial reclamation for environmental gain.
This milestone complements Vedanta Aluminium’s broader sustainability agenda. As the operator of one of the world’s largest single-location aluminium smelters, its Jharsuguda facility continues to drive the industry’s green transition. Notably, the unit has become India’s largest deployer of electric lithium-ion forklifts, with a fleet of nearly 50 units. This shift significantly reduces the plant’s dependence on fossil fuels and lowers operational greenhouse gas emissions.
In another strategic move towards cleaner energy, Vedanta’s Jharsuguda unit has signed a pivotal Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) with GAIL Gas Limited, ensuring a stable supply of natural gas for its casthouse operations. This marks a crucial step in Vedanta’s journey toward decarbonization and sustainable energy adoption.
Underscoring its long-term commitment to ecological balance, Vedanta Aluminium has partnered with PwC to enhance its biodiversity conservation and carbon reduction strategies in Odisha. This collaboration will provide expert-led environmental governance and reinforce the company’s position as a custodian of sustainable development.
Further reflecting its environmental ethos, Vedanta Aluminium recycled a remarkable 7.05 billion litres of water in FY24, demonstrating its dedication to resource efficiency and conservation. The company continues to invest in cutting-edge pollution control technologies and circular economy models, while actively engaging local communities through environmental awareness and green development programs.
Vedanta Aluminium’s consistent and multifaceted sustainability efforts have earned it 2nd place in the prestigious S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for FY25, affirming its leadership in responsible business practices on a global scale.
As Earth Day 2025 dawns, the one lakh saplings rooted in Jharsuguda stand as living symbols of Vedanta’s enduring pledge to protect the planet. More than a milestone, they are a manifestation of what committed action can achieve — a greener, cleaner, and more resilient world for generations to come.
