India, a vast country covering 3.28 million square km, with varied soils, climate, biodiversity and ecological regimes, is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and attaches great importance to climate change issues. Subsequent to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 4th Assessment Report, India has initiated various processes to evaluate specific risks and mitigation/adaptation measures.

In line with our commitment to the Triple Bottom Line objectives of contributing to building economic, social and environmental capital of the nation, we have adopted strategies to remain on the cutting edge of awareness, support international initiatives in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change, de-risk our various businesses and benefit from the emerging opportunities offered by climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Our ‘Carbon Committee’ comprises senior managers from Finance, EHS and Legal. The ‘Carbon Committee’ plays an important role in implementing the above strategies.

Although, based on the 4^th Assessment Report, there are no immediate risks to our businesses, we are seriously progressing the following initiatives to de-risk our businesses and support the national and global efforts on climate change mitigation/adaptation and simultaneously strengthen our competitiveness.

Climate Change and Agriculture

A large proportion of our raw materials are agri based. The impact of climate change on India’s rainfed agricultural sector is quite complex, especially the adverse effect on soil, biodiversity and ecological regimes. Our R&D specialists are collaborating with expert study groups and examining agricultural productivity/adaptation issues related to climate change. Our water conservation, watershed development and rainwater harvesting projects contribute significantly in improving the sustainability of our agri-related businesses.

Coastal Vulnerability

ITC has two large manufacturing units in the coastal areas. Preliminary studies have already been completed to evaluate the implications of climate change.

Minimising Carbon Intensity

We have consolidated our ‘Carbon Positive’ status over the years with each of our businesses achieving significant reductions in specific energy consumption. Our Paperboards & Specialty Papers business is the first in India to manufacture Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp. Our Green Centre at Gurgaon, one of the largest ‘Platinum’ rated LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green buildings certified by US GBC (Green Business Council), is a benchmark for both our own projects as well as for other similar projects in India.