The company also organised
several initiatives to boost environmental consciousness
On the occasion of World
Environment Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IORA Ecological Solutions, a
leading environmental advisory firm in India. As part of the partnership,
Vedanta Aluminium will collaborate with IORA to implement nature-based
solutions (NBS) towards the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources
in the vicinity of its operations, and achieving climate resilience at the
landscape level. Natural resource management at the landscape level includes
conserving natural resources like water, soil, flora and fauna across a large
area.
Founded in 2009, IORA
provides technical expertise in natural resource conservation, carbon forestry,
climate change mitigation and adaptation. Under the partnership, it will
support Vedanta Aluminium in the development and implementation of projects
focused on the landscape-level management of local biodiversity and ecosystems,
including identifying, designing, and managing technology-led climate
mitigation projects aligned with global sustainability efforts and the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Vedanta Aluminium will also implement
nature-based climate offset and biodiversity management projects in
collaboration with the neighbouring communities and other interested
stakeholders.
These initiatives will be
rolled out in the vicinity of the company’s operations in Odisha and
Chhattisgarh, enabling it to expand on-ground engagement with local communities
and other stakeholders through organized forums, enhancing awareness, capacity
building programs, and implement grassroots biodiversity and nature
conservation practices. Collectively, these actions are geared towards actively
identifying and integrating viable nature-positive actions into every aspect of
Vedanta Aluminium’s operations.
Commenting on the
partnership, Mr. John Slaven, CEO,
Vedanta Aluminium said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are integrating
sustainability into every aspect of our decision-making process, measuring
success by the degree of positive socio-economic changes and environmental
stewardship we achieve through our operations. As part of this effort, we are
also focusing on enhancing resource efficiencies, circular economy practices,
and inclusive community partnerships for a sustainable future, and are
committed to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.”
Adding his views, Mr. Swapan Mehra, CEO, IORA Ecological
Solutions said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Vedanta Aluminium
towards deploying comprehensive environmental and ecological solutions in the
vicinity of its operations. As an industry leader, Vedanta’s efforts in this
regard will surely inspire its peers in the global business landscape to shore
up their own plans as well, spurring a transformative impact across the entire
industry.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s
operations encompass the world’s largest aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and a
world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha, in addition to mining
operations within the state. It also includes BALCO, India’s iconic aluminium
producer based in Korba, Chhattisgarh. On the occasion of World Environmental
Day, the company undertook multiple knowledge-building and engagement efforts
among its teams and communities. These included expert-led sessions and
documentary screening on topics such as the impact of desertification, drought
resilience and aligning business-biodiversity needs.
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. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P
Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the
aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. 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.
