NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (India CSR): Taking a bold step towards redefining corporate sustainability, Vedanta Group, a global leader in natural resources, today announced the launch of VEDAS (Vedanta Academy for Sustainability) in collaboration with AXA Climate, a pioneer in climate risk and resilience services. This visionary initiative is set to equip over 100,000 employees and business partners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to drive Vedanta’s ambitious net-zero journey and ESG commitments.
Integrating Sustainability into Operations
Through VEDAS, Vedanta is integrating sustainability into the DNA of its operations, ensuring that every business decision and action contributes meaningfully to climate leadership, community transformation, and responsible resource management. The program is an industry-first effort to build a sustainability-first workforce, making Vedanta not just a participant but a leader in shaping the future of responsible business.
Framework for ESG Excellence
Built on Vedanta’s three-pillar sustainability framework—Transforming Communities, Transforming the Planet, and Transforming the Workplace—VEDAS will deliver high-impact learning through targeted e-learning modules, hands-on workshops, and leadership-driven engagements. This structured approach will embed ESG excellence at every level of the organization, creating a new generation of sustainability champions.
Leadership Commitment to Sustainability
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, emphasizing Vedanta’s commitment, said “The launch of VEDAS marks a new chapter in Vedanta’s sustainability journey. This is more than a learning initiative—it’s a movement to empower, educate, and embed sustainability into everything we do. Through VEDAS, we are building a future-ready workforce that will drive real impact, ensuring that every function, every decision, and every action takes us closer to our net-zero goals. Sustainability isn’t just an agenda for Vedanta—it’s our way forward.”
Global Collaboration for Lasting Impact
Antoine Poincare, Vice President, AXA Climate, added, “Sustainable transition is the bedrock upon which resilient and prosperous futures must be built. Through VEDAS, we are proud to partner with Vedanta to provide the knowledge, tools, and expertise needed to advance climate and community resilience. Our joint efforts will not only enhance awareness, upskilling and innovation within the group, but also foster lasting changes in the industries pivotal to the global sustainability agenda.”
VEDAS will offer cutting-edge training modules focused on building a Future-Ready Workforce:
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation – Enabling employees to drive Vedanta’s net-zero transition, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, scaling renewable energy adoption (targeting 2.5 GW of Round-The-Clock Renewable Energy by 2030), and integrating climate risk management strategies.
- Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy – Advancing responsible resource management through net water positivity by 2030, waste reduction, biodiversity protection, and circular economy principles to minimize environmental impact while maximizing value creation.
- Community Development & Stakeholder Engagement – Strengthening Vedanta’s social impact by embedding responsible community engagement, skill development, women and child empowerment, and inclusive growth into business practices.
- ESG Governance & Best Practices – Raising the bar for corporate governance, diversity, workplace safety, and ethical business practices, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core driver of business excellence.
- Vedanta: A Sustainability Trailblazer
Vedanta’s sustainability roadmap is one of the most ambitious in the industry, with a focus on driving measurable impact across the planet, communities, and the workplace:
- Ranked 4th among global Metal & Mining peers in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024
- Net Water Positive by 2030, with five businesses already achieving this milestone
- 2.5 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 1.8 GW of Power Delivery Agreements (PDAs) secured
- 80+ start-ups engaged under ‘Spark’ initiative to drive sustainable business transformation
- Recognized as a ‘Kincentric Best Employer’ for two consecutive years
- 40% leadership diversity target by 2030
The launch of VEDAS is a milestone in Vedanta’s sustainability journey, reinforcing its position as a global ESG leader committed to building a greener, more responsible future.
(India CSR)
