New
Delhi, 21 February 2022.
Cairn
Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd.is pioneering ESG (environmental, social, and
corporate governance)leadership in the oil & gas sector and has committed
to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050.The company is committed to investing 4
billion over 3-4 years to double its production, and the newly announced ESG
roadmap will enable the company to achieve this vision sustainably.
Speaking
on the announcement, Vedanta Founder &Chairman, Mr Anil Agarwal said
“Vedanta Group has been at the forefront of sustainable practices that align
with the Prime Minister’s goals of achieving net-zero in tandem with positive
economic growth. Our oil and gas business is today well-poised to meet India’s
energy needs and growth aspirations. Guided by the philosophy of `Zero Harm,
Zero Waste, Zero Discharge’, we have formulated robust ESG targets for our operations
which will help India’s energy sector become more efficient and enable the
country’s journey towards aatmanirbharta.”
Speaking
on the announcement, Cairn Oil & Gas, Deputy CEO, Prachur Sah said
“ESG has always been a top priority for Cairn Oil & Gas. As we continue our
sustainability journey, we are committed to our vision of ensuring holistic
socio-economic development while achieving our goal of ensuring energy aatmanirbharta
for India. This announcement is a reiteration of our commitment to delivering
growth responsibly and sustainably. In line with PM’s vision of net-zero carbon
emission by 2070, Cairn stands tall with our country’s energy aspirations.”
The
ESG objectives will broadly focus on uplifting lives of people in operational areas
through sustainable livelihood opportunities to 1 million people, educating ~9
million students by 2030 through digital education programs alongside uplifting
20 million women and children through education, nutrition, healthcare, and
welfare. The company is innovating for a healthier planet by sustainingnet
water positive impact, use of renewable energy, planting 2 million trees by 2030,
and protecting and enhancing biodiversity throughout the project lifecycle.
Further, the company is driving a great workplace by promoting gender parity,
diversity, and inclusivity, adhering to global business standards of corporate
governance, and remaining focused onthe health & safety of employees and
business partners.
Cairn’s dynamic approach towards
sustainability can be seen in its operations and CSR initiatives. The entire
freshwater requirement of its Rajasthan and Ravva operations are being met
through saline aquifers while more than 96% of the produced water is being
recycled through reinjection. The company has been efficiently using associated
natural gas for meeting its power and heating requirements. Cairn has also
planted 279 acres of mangroves along the coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the
Arabian Sea. In Rajasthan’s arid Thar, a floral biodiversity park hosting over
100 indigenous species now dots the landscape of Mangala Processing Terminal in
Barmer, Rajasthan. Overall, 1,644 acres of area is developed as a greenbelt
across Cairn’s operational areas. Similarly, Cairn has worked towards revitalising
traditional structures to collect and harvest rainwater and conducted
de-siltation of traditional nadis in the arid rural areas of the Thar
desert. The company continues to support the lives of people around our
operations, impacting over 6 crore people directly and indirectly.