World Environment Day 2024: With prolonged heat waves and record rainfall underscoring the urgency of global climate change, the need for sustainable practices has become clearer than ever. This year, World Environment Day spotlights the efforts of various companies striving to reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability.
Embracing Solar Energy
McDonald’s India-North and East has taken significant strides in renewable energy adoption. Last year, the fast-food giant transitioned 24% of its Delhi restaurants to solar power. This shift resulted in a reduction of 3,822 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, thanks to a 3.2 MW solar plant producing 4.2 million power units a year. Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director of McDonald’s India—North and East, emphasized, “Sustainability is central to McDonald’s in fostering robust and resilient food systems. Whether it is using sustainably sourced ingredients for our products and packaging material or reducing carbon footprint using renewable energy at our restaurants,
Green Building Initiatives in the Hotel Industry
The travel and tourism sector, notorious for its environmental footprint, is seeing a green transformation. ITC Hotels, for instance, is converting most of its properties into green buildings. HC Vinayaka, Vice President, Technical, EHS, and Sustainability at ITC Hotels, highlighted their progress, stating, “We have 23 LEED Platinum hotels and are also the first in the world to receive 12 LEED Zero Carbon Certifications and 4 LEED Zero Water Certifications.” LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized green building certification system.
Similarly, many hotel operators are eliminating plastic use and optimizing resource usage. Rahul Uppal, Director at Echor Hotels Pvt. Ltd., shared, “One of our standout properties in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, exemplifies our commitment to sustainability. The cottages are constructed entirely from mud, with no cement or concrete used, and even our toothbrushes are made from bamboo sticks.”
Commitments to Reducing Carbon Emissions
Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection Limited, announced plans to cut greenhouse gases by 20% by 2027. He explained, “We are transitioning from coal to biomass products like briquettes for our energy needs, recycling water, and plastic. Our GreenAg initiative focuses on nutrition and soil management to enhance crop production with integrated pest management and natural nutrition.”
Electric vehicles (EVs) are also at the forefront of sustainability efforts. CJ Darcl Logistics is running a pilot project to test EV cargo operations, aiming for a broader rollout. Nikhil Agarwal, President of CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd., remarked, “Our innovative electric vehicle intra-city cargo run pilot program is a big step toward a greener future. In addition to the EV initiative, CJ Darcl’s multimodal strength is another key aspect of its sustainability offerings.”
These initiatives reflect a growing corporate commitment to sustainability, highlighting the diverse ways companies are addressing climate change and promoting greener practices.
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