On Global Energy Independence Day, Hindustan Zinc Limited—India’s largest integrated zinc producer—announced a significant sustainability milestone, reporting a greenhouse gas reduction of 670,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) in FY25. This achievement exceeds its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 500,000 tCO₂e by 34 per cent.

The emissions reduction, driven by renewable energy usage, equates to powering over 400,000 Indian households for an entire year, underscoring the company’s commitment to clean energy and operational efficiency.

In FY25, Hindustan Zinc consumed 636 million units of renewable electricity, sourced through captive facilities and external purchases. With the average Indian household consuming around 1,538 kWh annually, this clean energy contribution represents substantial impact.

Hindustan Zinc has been recognised as the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024. The company’s 2030 roadmap includes a 50 per cent cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 25 per cent cut in Scope 3 emissions compared to 2020 levels. The strategy also focuses on water stewardship, biodiversity, circular economy, responsible sourcing, safety, diversity, and social impact.

Currently, 13 per cent of Hindustan Zinc’s energy mix comes from renewable sources. It aims to raise this to 70 per cent by FY28, supported by round-the-clock green energy agreements totalling up to 530 MW. Energy-efficiency initiatives—such as turbine retrofitting, variable frequency drives, alternative fuels, and cellhouse upgrades—further support carbon reduction.

The company also introduced EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon zinc, now produced using renewable electricity. This shift helped reduce GHG emission intensity by 15 per cent in FY25 compared to 2020, despite increased production. EcoZen now carries a carbon footprint below one tonne of CO₂e per tonne of zinc—about 75 per cent lower than the global average.

Hindustan Zinc is the first Indian metals and mining firm to receive validated Science-Based Targets from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), aligned with the 1.5°C climate goal. Its zinc products now hold Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification, and the company is rated as 2.41× Water Positive. Hindustan Zinc is also aiming for Net Zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.

Through its CSR programmes, the company has positively impacted 2.3 million lives and ranks among India’s top 10 corporate social responsibility performers.