Background 

At UST there has long been a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement. It takes a bottom-up approach with all CSR and sustainability initiatives planned, implemented and monitored at UST CSR volunteer’s team level. Following a net zero commitment by 2040 the digital transformation company set a goal to integrate all their organisational processes and initiatives by 2022-23 towards achieving this. It wanted to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, advance environmental initiatives and integrate its ongoing community-based environment programmes.

Approach 

UST developed environmental, social and governance targets aligned with business goals, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework. It conducted a materiality assessment to prioritise the most important topics for the business. Climate action was integrated into decision-making processes at all levels and awareness and training programmes were implemented. A dedicated vertical and ESG (environmental, social and governance) core team was formed to lead and consolidate efforts. A steering committee was formed with a focus on integrity and transparency.

The comprehensive strategy included energy efficiency measures, water conservation, waste management and sustainable supply chain practices. It included everything from using battery-operated vehicles, optimising building design and energy management systems, eco-friendly packaging, rainwater harvesting, a supplier Standards of Conduct to prioritise sustainable business practices and local sourcing, and community-level initiatives such as planting mangroves along the Kochi India coastal area and cultivating over 99,000 medicinal plants with native tribal farmers. UST also dedicated thousands of volunteering hours to lake rejuvenation and beach cleaning projects and committed a dedicated budget to support climate change initiatives.

 

Outcome

The outcomes of UST’s sustainability initiatives are significant. They have successfully diverted 14.39 metric tons of waste from landfills since 2020. Some 80% of its Trivandrum campus’s water consumption is now drawn from a sustainable water body, reducing reliance on municipal water supply and leading to it receiving a LEED Gold rating from the Indian Green Building Council.

UST has achieved numerous certifications and aligned their reporting with international standards. Importantly, its community-based projects have had qualitative outcomes as well. These projects have encouraged organic farming practices and fostered a sense of community responsibility for environmental protection.

By utilising technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), UST is addressing environmental challenges through efficient data collection, evaluation and analysis. This enables informed decision-making and supports the goal of minimising environmental footprints, paving the way for a more sustainable future for all.