IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Car market leader Maruti Suzuki unveiled the 6 edition of the Sustainability Report,which presents extensive economic, social and environmental performance of Maruti Suzuki for 2013-14. The report has been prepared as per the latest GRI G4 guidelines and has been externally assured.
Adopting the theme, ‘Making it Matter’, the report outlines the Company’s focus of taking action in the social, environment and economic sphere that makes a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of its stakeholders. The Company is committed to set new benchmarks and build excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, as in all areas of business.
Highlighting key focus areas, Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairman in his address said, “Our CSR activities will be primarily in the areas of Village Development, Skill Development and Road Safety. The Village Development will include construction of household toilets to prevent open defecation, upgrading Government Schools, separate toilets for girl students, upgradation of sanitation and water facilities in villages.”
He added, “The Company will focus on Skill Development initiatives to make students from Industrial Training Institute (ITI) industry ready. Under the Road Safety programme, we intend to create capacity for training drivers in large numbers, train the trainer and partner with Government to make select towns model from road safety point of view. We are also working on a scholarship scheme to support students orphaned due to road accidents.”
The key focus areas of the Company’s CSR direction have resonance with the national goals like skill development, school upgradation (especially toilets for girls) and road safety.
The 6th Sustainability report highlights important Company initiatives to bring down stress on natural resources. To name a few, the Company has been able to bring down its energy costs by over 5%. The Company installed 1MW Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant at the Manesar facility during the fiscal. All manufacturing sites of the Company have a zero waste water status. Over 48% of water requirement at the plants is met through re-cycled water.
In a conscious effort, since 2010, the Company sends all hazardous waste to cement industry for co-processing. This has eliminated the need for creating landfills for hazardous waste.
The report also covers the Company’s focus on environment friendly cards and green supply chain. The Company’s initiatives in greening its supply chain include ISO 14001 certification for tier-I suppliers and the implementation of Green Procurement Policy.
To strengthen efforts in this direction and aligning with the new Companies Act, Maruti Suzuki has established a Board Committee on CSR. The Board has approved the CSR policy for the Company.
In a forward looking initiative, in the 6th edition, Maruti Suzuki has pro- actively adopted the GRI G4 reporting framework. This reporting framework is applicable only from 2015 but as early adopters the company has widened the reporting structure. The GRI G4 is the most updated GRI framework for sustainability reporting, being practiced by several developed countries.
In line with the new GRI framework, the company has revised and strengthened its materiality matrix.. It is comprehensive and covers several aspects such as Economic, Environment, Labour Practices, Human Rights, Society and Product Responsibility.
