ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Greenko Group is driven towards contributing to the National issues and to ensure that the group’s activities respect, promote and advance internationally recognized environmental principles & commitments, Greenko has put in place Greenko Integrated Management Systems (GIMS) and corporate EHS functions. For the purpose of monitoring, we have put in Environmental management systems and have also gotten Greenko projects certified under ISO 14001:2015 standard for "Operation and Maintenance" activities.
Trees are a crucial part of our ecosystem, and play a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of an area. In order to facilitate the construction of Ghani Solar Park on a large scale, Greenko has adopted the latest technology to conserve trees within the project sites. The trees were taken out from project site and replanted at planned locations and along the roads within the project site. The average age of the trees replanted is above 50 years.
We have adopted the following steps during the process of transplantation.
1. Soil sampling and site selection
2. Root pruning and tree packing
3. Transplantation of trees
4. Mechanical support and root pruning
5. Post-transplantation treatment
Greenko has become signatory to “The Climate Pledge” today and is joining more than 200 companies who have pledged to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040. Today’s announcement responds to the findings of the latest report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which underscores the need for increased urgency in addressing the climate crisis. Unless there are immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5 degrees Celsius or even 2 degrees Celsius will be out of reach.
Businesses have long contributed to the effects of climate change, but deep cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases could stabilize increasing temperatures. This is why urgent, ambitious action by companies around the world is needed. The 200 plus Climate Pledge signatories, which have committed to net-zero carbon by 2040 or sooner, are uniquely positioned to rise to the challenge of addressing climate change and helping to create the low-carbon economy of the future.
The current Climate Pledge signatories are expected to collectively mitigate 1.98 billion metric tons (BMT) of carbon emissions from a 2020 baseline, representing 5.4% of global annual emissions —demonstrating the collective impact The Climate Pledge is having in addressing climate change and prompting more action to tackle the climate crisis.
Signatories to The Climate Pledge agree to:
● Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis.
● Implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies.
Neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050.
“As a leading renewable energy company with an operational portfolio of 7.5 GW and a pipeline of 15 GW of wind, solar, hydro, and energy storage assets spread across 15 states in India, Greenko is proud to be joining The Climate Pledge and making the commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 — 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. Greenko will continue to build upon its hallmark of environmental stewardship, through greenhouse gas mitigation, climate risk management, conservation and restoration of habitats, as well as circular economic approaches,” said Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, Founder, CEO and MD, Greenko Group.
Greenhouse gases contribute to the acceleration and aggravation of climate change and its impact. Thus, as responsible businesses, we monitor and make efforts to reduce the GHG emissions from business operations. The conference of parties (COP) to UNFCCC have agreed on limiting the global temperature rise to below 1.5-2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures. Traditionally, economic development has been closely correlated to a higher energy consumption and therefore the increase in GHG emissions. Building a de-risked portfolio of wind, solar, hydropower and clean energy assets within India, Greenko intends to increase its installed capacity for integrated renewable energy by developing greenfield assets and thereby reduce the GHG emissions.
Greenko Group's management of wastes is based on its Environment and Social Management System that establishes practices to meet the legal requirements along with reducing or avoiding generation of wastes and to reuse or recycle whenever possible. The system governs identification of the waste streams, their classification, manner of collection, transport and appropriate final disposal. Greenko carries out continuous monitoring of generation, storage and allocation of wastes from its contractors and vendors alike. The group conducts an Environmental Education Program for employees and partners, which includes raising awareness about environmental issues, with a focus on reduction, reusing and recycling of waste.
Greenko Group believes that the absence of absolute scientific certainty should not be a reason for postponing effective and economically viable measures to prevent the threat of serious or irreversible damage to the environment or to human health in the procedures for prior license, installation and operation. The Group is cognizant of the importance of native flora and fauna population in the areas adjoining the Greenko project. Greenko carries out Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study prior to the commencement of any operations, in line with the requirements of ten Equator Principles; eight International Finance Corporation (IFC) Social & Environmental Sustainability Performance Standards (PS); and IFC Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines for Renewable Energy Projects.
We have been investing towards environmental conservation/ protection initiatives in the following areas:
1. IMS Certifications (EMS, OHSAS, QMS)
2. Environmental education and training
3. Green Purchases
4. Preservation of Biodiversity
5. Environmental Monitoring Equipment
6. Impact Assessment Studies
Greenko is implementing “Habitat Conservation and Species Recovery of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) at Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary (RWS)” located at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. It is working with the Forest Department of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh to develop and maintain a favorable conservation status at Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary.
The conservation project, besides other things, would involve:
1. Development of infrastructure for habitat & species conservation2. Habitat improvement program3. Reduction of man-animal conflict by Crop compensation4. Publicity, Education, Nature Camp program5. Eco-Development6. Promotion of Ecotourism
a. Providing Solar lights near accommodation for visitors
b. Semi-permanent Cottages with attached Bathroom at GIB Wildlife Sanctuary
c. Tented accommodation with attached bath
d. Reception cum Restaurant
e. Battery Operated Vehicles
f. Maintenance of Ecotourism facility including man-power support
Greenko Group has partnered with WWF-India to “Protect our Ocean Health and Biodiversity from Marine Debris”, with a focus on conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles along the coast of India. The project covers three coastal states, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Goa. The project aims to mitigate threats to marine turtles from entanglements in fishing nets with support of fisher communities & through advocacy at a government level. The fisher community is being engaged through workshops and awareness drives to adopt sustainable fishing practices. Consequently, an incentive mechanism will be established to encourage their participation in adopting better practices to reduce turtle bycatch in trawlers and handling of ghost nets.
The activities under the project will be carried out under two broad objectives:
1. To reduce impacts of ‘ghost’ fishing gears on threatened species including Olive Ridley turtles2. To reduce sea turtle bycatch in trawl fishery along the coast of Andhra Pradesh
● Establishing a field team, conducting training, standardising protocol and providing field logistics sorted for monitoring.
● Stakeholder workshops for the fisher community to agree for a trial run, carry out a Turtle Excluder Device (TED) trial run using established protocol, carry out awareness and training sessions on increasing the efficiency of TEDs and overcoming all misconceptions associated with it within the community.
● Engaging with government agencies for supporting TED implementation.
● Exploring incentive mechanisms to promote the uptake and use of TEDs among local communities.
Greenko is implementing the project on ‘Supporting the reintroduction of Cheetah at Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary’ located in Neemuch District, Madhya Pradesh. The above Program is taken in coordination with the Forest Department, Govt of Madhya Pradesh as part of the Wildlife Management Plan for the MP01 IREP Project.
Main Components of the Conservation Program
Establishment of Cheetah Monitoring and Coordination Unit
Cheetah Corridor Buffer Zone Vegetation Management
Habitat Improvement & development of vegetation cover by plateable grass with suitable species
Providing All Terrain Vehicles for Monitoring of Cheetah
Awareness and sensitization Programmes in local villages
Greenko is initiating a Program for ‘Conservation of Lessor Florican’ located in Neemuch and Ratlam District, Madhya Pradesh. The above Program is proposed to be taken up in coordination with the Forest Department, Govt of Madhya Pradesh at our MP01 IREP Project.
Main Components of the Conservation Program
Undertake Impact Assessment Study of the Conservation Plan implemented by the Forest Department for Lessor Florican in Neemuch District.
Prepare Conservation Plan for Lessor Florican sitings at Ratlam District
Implement the identified activity for Habitat conservation and restoration.
Greenko is ‘Improving the Habitat for Hyena at Gokak Forest Division’ located in Belagavi District, Karnataka. The above Program is taken in coordination with the Forest Department, Govt of Karnataka as part of the Wildlife Management Plan for the KA01 IREP Project.
Main Components of the Conservation Program
Managing the grass lands by removal of weeds
Planting of fruit/fodder yielding species
Creation of artificial dens
Reseeding and dibbing of grass species
Formation of fodder plots
Fire regulation in grasslands
Greenko is initiating Program for supporting the “Conservation of Red Panda at Himalayan Zoological Park” located at Gangtok, Sikkim. The above program will be implemented along with Forest & Environment Department, Govt. of Sikkim that aims to ensure the long-term survival of the endangered species Red Panda in Sikkim state of the eastern Himalayas.
Main Components of the Conservation Program
Support to Panda Breeding Program in Himalayan Zoological Park, Bulbulay, Gangtok
Adopt the Red Pandas under “My Child from Wild,” the zoo’s unique animal adoption program
Support efforts on conservation breeding and establishment of breeding and release stock
Facilitate the recovery of the degraded habitats and enable community stewardship of red panda and its habitat.
Greenko is implementing Program for “Development of White Tiger Safari at Sri Venkateshwara Zoological Park” located at Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. The above program is implemented along with local Zoo Authorities.
Main Components of the Conservation Program
Repairs & Strengthening of Existing Internal & External Garvel roads
Repairs & Painting of Chain Link Mesh fencing
Construction of MS Watch Tower
Construction of Shade Shelters
Removal of Jungle Growth
Construction of Safari operator cabin cum storeroom
Installation of automated Gates
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