Green Future
Responsibility towards nature in India
The Czech carmaker’s activities on the subcontinent highlight sustainable development
Alibaug
444,000
mangrove seedlings were plante+d by 300 locals to restore 100 hectares of forest
Pune
8.5
is the installed capacity of 25,770 photovoltaic roof modules
15*
up to this percentage of total consumption is covered by “green” energy
9,000*
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced per year
Aurangabad
0.98
is the installed power 3,492 roof panels in the parking lot
30*
up to this percentage of the plant’s annual electricity consumption will be covered from this source
922*
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced per year
Editor’s note: * The data hold for a full utilisation of production capacities
s part of its Green Future strategy, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) is supporting a whole range of environmental activities. One such project at the Pune site includes putting up some of the largest roof-top photovoltaic (solar) panels in the country. They not only produce renewable energy but also help to insulate the factory buildings. The carmaker had already installed solar panels at its other site, in Aurangabad, where, in addition to their main purpose, they were installed in the roof of the car park to provide shade. “Complementing the environmental benefits of renewable energy, the lighting systems in both facilities were renovated to be as efficient as possible; they combine energy-saving LEDs and natural light to maximise energy savings on sunny days when there is a minimal need to use light inside the factory buildings”, says Helena Kotková from GRI – India Region Management. The company is also planning to recover about 70 percent of steam and waste heat from an electrodeposition oven and reuse it for the hot water circuit. On top of all these environmental initiatives, SAVWIPL has taken a number of steps to assist with water conservation – by investing in water recycling technology and preserving rain water run-off in its facilities to make its operations’ water use net-positive.
Helping the landscape and people
Another interesting project supported by SAVWIPL involves the restoration of damaged mangrove forests in Alibaug, where the carmaker is preserving existing trees and planting new ones. “We are contributing 30.8 million Indian rupees to this project over the next seven years (more than CZK 9 million – ed.)”, says Kotková. Mangroves act as a bio-shield protecting the shorelines from erosion and providing breeding areas for aquatic animals and are vital to sustaining coastal fishing areas. They support the environment by removing up to four times more carbon dioxide than terrestrial forests do. SAVWIPL will work closely with the Mangrove Foundation to improve the mangrove ecosystem, which will lead to healthy fishery and fertile land supporting the fishermen and farmers in and around the area.
In December 2019, SAVWIPL also inaugurated an ‘Oxygen Park’ (a densely planted urban forest) in the industrial sector of Aurangabad. More than 15,000 shrubs and trees are growing there, which fundamentally balances CO2 emissions in this area. The park is also a source of livelihood for the local community of socially disadvantaged women who care for the trees and flowers. Rani Tolimat
Sanjay Khare
SAVWIPL Board Member for Sustainability, Safety & Environment
Sustainability is one of the most important demands at the moment. Without it, life and work do not make sense. ŠKODA AUTO knows this very well. Our strategy motivates us to establish top personal mobility solutions for the current and future world with a minimal impact on the environment and a positive impact on society and regional development. ŠKODA is one of the most respected brands in the Czech Republic, and we are working to achieve this position in the Indian region as well.