On 29 Mar 2013, ITC announced that it has bagged the number 1 spot for the second consecutive year in the CSR category in the Nielsen Corporate Image Monitor 2012-13. ITC received the “Most active in CSR” acknowledgement. This is in recognition of the large scale livelihoods created and the natural resources conserved. ITC’s businesses and value chains have created sustainable livelihoods for 5 million people, many of whom belong to the poorest sections of society. The company’s performance on augmenting scarce natural resources as well as combating climate change has been globally recognized. ITC is the only company in the world to be Carbon Positive – for 7 years in a row, Water Positive for 10 years consecutively and Solid Waste Recycling Positive for 5 years now. All its luxury hotels are LEED Platinum Certified. Renewable energy constitutes nearly 40% of its total energy consumption.
As part of its 360 degree interventions in rural agricultural communities, ITC has constantly endeavoured to strengthen and broad-base livelihood options through both farm and off farm activities. ITC’s e-Choupal, the world’s largest rural digital infrastructure, has today empowered over 4 million farmers. ITC’s integrated Watershed Development Programme provides soil and moisture conservation to farmers in water stressed areas and helps promote sustainable agriculture, apart from contributing to ITC’s water positive status. This programme covers over 1,00,000 hectares of water stressed areas in rural India. ITC’s Social and Farm Forestry Programme, which helps rural wasteland owners to convert their land into pulpwood plantations, has greened over 1,40,000 hectares while creating livelihood opportunities for poor tribals and marginal farmers. The plantations have also sequestered over 4,380 KT of CO2 and played a major role in maintaining ITC’s carbon positive status over the past 7 years. ITC’s Livestock Development Programme has provided animal husbandry services to over 8,00,000 milch animals, thereby providing additional income avenues for farmers. ITC’s Women’s Empowerment Programme has created sustainable livelihoods for over 40,000 rural women, while ITC’s Primary Education Programme has benefitted over 3,00,000 children.
http://www.itcportal.com/media-centre/press-releases-content.aspx?id=1334&type=C&news=ITC-Tops-CSR-Category-in-Nielsen-Corporate-Reputation-Survey
