India CSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Cairn India within their fence is reducing its carbon and water footprint and increasing the use of renewable power, and energy-efficient projects.
Cairn recognizes that water consumption is an important issue, especially where access to clean water for communities is a challenge. Cairn’s fresh water needs at the production facilities in Rajasthan and Ravva are met by desalination of the saline water they abstract. Cairn India monitors their water consumption and have adopted the principles of reusing and recycling water to minimise their requirements. The company is making their water conservation and groundwater recharge measures relevant to the times of drought by improving water conservation and building water potential.
“Sustainable development for us is an integrated concept embracing economic, social and environmental sustainability, not just now but for generations to come as well. Sustainability is an evolving journey for Cairn.” said, Sudhir Mathur, Acting CEO of Cairn India Ltd.
“Each year we learn more about what it means to be a truly sustainable organisation and bring in measures that will allow us to meet our sustainable development aspirations, more holistically and in larger measure. Cairn has always been a sustainability-driven organisation both in intent and at heart.”, he further added.
Cairn India’s corporate office, referred to as MySmartCampus, is the first Indian corporate campus from within the oil and gas sector, to have been awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification under the category of Commercial Interiors by United States Green Building Council (USGBC). MySmartCampus is a LEED Platinum-certified green building that saves 30% of energy on a day-to-day basis. As part of its other green initiatives, Cairn India has undertaken the task of creating green belts across its assets in the country.
Cairn India employees have taken the Go Green pledge, where they contribute in various forms, doing their bit for the environment and also encourage other colleagues to avoid getting their cars and bikes to work, if possible.
Cairn Centre of Excellence (CCoE) – a skills development and vocational training center in Jodhpur, has been accorded the Gold rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Some of the key contributors towards CCoE’s Gold Certification are:
- 100 KW roof-top solar plant and a windmill installed at CCoE to meet energy demand of the campus
- Use of locally available and eco-friendly building materials
- Make the best use of natural daylight and ventilation
- Created a green belt across the campus
- The campus is designated as smoke-free campus
CCoE is contributing to the renewable energy sector in India by educating and imparting skill development to the local community in solar and wind energy. The training on vocational, technical and equipment is provided by internationally renowned training service provider, TUV Rheinland, Germany. Students who have completed their training have received placements in some of the best companies in the renewable sector. Taking the training to a new level, a Train-the-Trainer program (ToT) was recently initiated at CCoE. This program saw participation of 13 trainers who would now in turn provide solar energy training to students across the country. Guest lectures from technocrats, renewable energy experts and industry veterans is a core part of this program. Through this programme Cairn India is creating awareness about clean energy jobs and Green Entrepreneurship among the youths.
Sustainability beyond the fence
Rajasthan is one of the driest states in India, where rainfall is erratic and distribution patterns are inconsistent. As a result, people are forced to walk long distances to procure water, which is of a highly questionable quality and generally does not meet WHO defined norms.
To address the acute water shortage and provide access to clean and safe drinking water, Cairn has initiated a key sustainable intervention to support the Government of Rajasthan (GoR) in its effort to provide safe drinking water to households in the state. In this initiative, Cairn India is positioned to touch the lives of a million-plus people – no mean feat for a state as sparsely populated as Rajasthan.
The company initiated the Jeevan Amrit pilot project to ensure clean and safe drinking water through the establishment of Water ATW kiosks in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Cairn currently operates 44 ATW (Any-time Water) kiosks in Rajasthan and Gujarat, which have a best-in-class utilization and is establishing ~75 more. ATW kiosks have been established at a number of access points and the communities are provided with pre-paid smart cards with which they can access water at their convenience, in a manner similar to the access provided by bank ATM machines.
India is blessed with a variety of renewable energy sources. The intervention of renewable energy technology in CSR will lead to positive impact on society, the environment and our climate. Cairn India is making a positive intervention in the society by adding renewable energy projects to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, which is empowering communities and changing lives.
The solar micro-grid installed at the village of Meghwallon Ki Dhani is one such project. It has brought electricity to this small village of ~500 people for the first time since India’s independence. Few things have the power to change the economic potential of a community than electricity.
In synergy with the Rajasthan Government’s Renewal Energy Mission Light for Everyone, Cairn India provided solar panels for over 500 households across 25 villages in and around Cairn’s operational areas in Barmer. Ghar ki Roshni – a green energy initiative of Cairn India is based on a Solar Home System (SHS) model; under which, households can generate power to meet their everyday needs. SHSs are bringing energy access to those rural areas that still lack access to the national grid. The project also involves community participation to ensure ownership and sustainability.
