The adverse impact on the environment due to air emissions is complex, long-term and inter-related. Climate change caused by Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has already begun to change precipitation patterns across the globe including in India, thereby disrupting yields in primarily rain-fed Indian agriculture. Since most of ITC's businesses depend significantly on agri-inputs, disruption in crop yields and consequent competition for agricultural commodities, has wide-ranging implications on ITC and its stakeholders. Recognising the fact that is necessary to play an active role on the issue of climate change, ITC has focused on progressively increasing its renewable energy share and enhancing sequestration of GHGs aligned with Government of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Another aspect linked with rapid industrialisation and urbanisation is the problem of air pollution in terms of emissions of SO2, NOx and particulate matter that has become a very serious health issue across almost the entire urban landscape in India. This not only has huge adverse impacts on health of human beings but also on the biodiversity of a region. ITC has continued to invest in reducing air emission levels through focus on cleaner technologies/combustion efficiency improvement while simultaneously reducing specific energy consumption and increasing ITC's renewable energy share.
ITC has mapped the various challenges arising from GHG and other air emissions that may impact its own operations or its stakeholders and devised strategies driven by Board approved policies addressing the various dimensions involved.
