A Sustainable Path

In an era where environmental and social challenges loom large, corporations are increasingly recognising the need for sustainable practices and responsible business behaviour. HCLTech stands out as a prime example of an origination that places great emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Under the leadership of CEO and Managing Director C. Vijayakumar, HCLTech has made significant strides towards creating a positive impact on the planet and society while ensuring long-term success for its stakeholders.

Surprisingly, HCLTech does not look at ‘sustainability’ as a vertical. But a team at the company, focused on sustainability, directly reports to the CEO and ensures that sustainability is integrated into each function. Why is sustainability not a vertical? “The way we bring sustainability in focus is through its integration into the individual processes rather than looking sustainability as a vertical,” says Santhosh Jayaram, Global Head - Sustainability, HCL Technologies. “So, we look at integrating it in everything, including our every delivery, infrastructure, HR functions, procurement and sales. It’s like how ‘quality’ was integrated in all functions in early 1990s.”

Jayaram tells BW Businessworld that the company bases all its actions on an overarching philosophy called ‘Act, Pact and Impact’. The ‘Act’ aspect of this focuses on HCLTech undertaking the initiative internally from an organisation’s perspective, while ‘Pact’ is concerned with the work done with all its partners, clients, employees, and other stakeholders. Combined, these two parts create the ‘Impact’ HCLTech aspires to achieve in its push for sustainability.

The Noida-headquartered company has showed its dedication to sustainability by achieving an impressive renewable energy consumption of 17.7 per cent. By successfully implementing renewable energy practices in 50 per cent of its major data centres, the company has taken a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint.

In FY22-23 alone, HCLTech’s quantum of renewable energy utilised increased by 14 per cent. But Jayaram says that the company would be moving upwards in renewable energy utilisation at a much faster rate from FY24 onwards. In fact, HCLTech has set an ambitious target to transition 80 per cent of its electricity usage to renewable energy sources by 2030. This commitment demonstrates the company's resolve to make a meaningful contribution to combating climate change.

Emissions Reduction

HCLTech has made notable progress in the last two years. The company has successfully reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 30 per cent, showcasing its proactive approach to mitigating its environmental

impact. It has also implemented sustainable measures, leveraging cleaner energy sources, the company has positioned itself as a leader in emission reduction efforts within the IT sector.

Empowering Communities

HCLTech seems to have understood that its responsibility extends beyond its operational boundaries. The company has expanded its operations in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, aiming to upskill the local population and make them ready for employment opportunities. As of FY 2022, 12 per cent of HCLTech's workforce operates in these cities, fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities in regions that often face socio-economic challenges. Through its CSR arm, HCL Foundation, the company has invested a commendable Rs 216.33 crore in FY 2021-22, supporting 256 CSR projects. These initiatives underline HCLTech's commitment to positively impacting the communities it serves.

Water Conservation

HCLTech's response to the water crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic was both memorable and commendable. By installing touchless sensor-based water taps, the company managed to significantly reduce water consumption from 0.50 litres per press to 0.21 litres per press, resulting in an impressive 58 per cent overall savings. Moreover, HCLTech's effort to recharge 21 times more water than what was consumed demonstrates its commitment to water conservation and responsible resource management.

Holistic Approach to Inclusivity

While many IT players focus on diversity and inclusion, HCLTech’s efforts has set it apart as an organisation that values all its employees. Women-specific programmes implemented across all levels of the company hierarchy ensure equal opportunities for career development. The company's exceptional retention rate of 77.2 per cent for employees who took maternity leave during FY22 speaks volumes about its commitment to supporting and empowering women in the workplace.

Further, HCLTech's commitment to accessibility for differently-abled individuals has been commendable. It is evident through the implementation of various inclusive measures, including ramps, voice-enabled lifts and PWD-friendly facilities, among others.

Overall, HCLTech's commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices serves as an inspiration for other companies in the industry. Through its focus on renewable energy, emissions reduction, community empowerment, water conservation and inclusivity, HCLTech has demonstrated its dedication to making a positive and lasting impact. By embedding ESG factors into the core of its operations and adopting a philosophy of Act-Pact-Impact, the Noida-based IT giant is setting the stage for a future where businesses play a vital role in overcoming global challenges while ensuring the well-being of all stakeholders.