CO₂ emissions & Sequestration

The total CO₂ (equivalent) emitted by ITC units in 2005-06 amounted to 1,202 kilotons (1,058 kilotons in 2004-05). In spite of significant growth in all its businesses, ITC has been able to limit the increase in CO₂ emissions to 13.6% over the previous year, by targeting and succeeding in reducing specific energy consumption.

ITC continued to rapidly upscale its farm and social forestry initiatives, adding close to 12,000 hectares of plantations during the year. Such plantations, as at March 31, 2006, covered an area of nearly 41,000 hectares. These initiatives have not only led to sustainable sources of raw material for the Paperboards business, they have also helped sequester 1,244 kilotons of CO₂, in the process making ITC a ‘Carbon Positive Company’.