Energy Management

Climate change is a risk multiplier that leads to the degeneration of the ecosystem and destruction of natural resources. Non-conventional energy sources play a crucial role in mitigating the damage, and thus, VGL has ramped up its green energy portfolio. All the sites are energy-efficient, and the renewable energy portfolio is assigned top priority in the strategy to achieve sustainability objectives. VGL has a total solar energy capacity of 3.23 MW. The green energy so generated has led to the reduction of CO2 emission.

Energy efficiency can contribute up to 40% of the emissions reduction required to meet the 2050 net zero targets. Energy is a key focus area in VGL’s strategy towards sustainable environment and mitigating climate change risks. VGL is using energy efficiently across all our sites and promote our energy portfolio to cleaner and greener source.

Since making sustainability a core objective in all business operations couple of years ago, it has worked to a low carbon growth plan in which expanding its renewable energy portfolio is a top priority.

VGL currently utilises rooftop and ground mount solar energy. Each company premises is mandated to find the best solution to increase its use of renewable energy. To pursue continuous improvement in energy and emissions related performance, VGL has taken up specific energy as well as specific Greenhouse Gas emission reduction targets.

VGL will continue its efforts to achieve an absolute reduction in GHG emissions across operations. VGL's focus areas include:

• Reducing fossil fuel-based energy use in our operations by using innovative energy efficiency technologies and process optimisation
• Shifting to renewables and/or low-carbon solutions where possible.

VGL's journey/initiatives towards solar implementation:

• 100 KW – 2014
• 200 KW – 2016
• 85 KW – 2019
• 1300 KW – 2020
• 1550 KW – 2021

Altogether VGL has a combined generation capacity of 3.23 MW of solar energy, which would generate 42-45 Lakh units per year in FY 21-22 which would help in declining graph of GHG Emissions by value of 3000-3200 Tons in FY 21-22.

Waste Management

VGL has aligned waste management practices to the '4R Policy’ of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Reclaim in its operations and hence engaged in various initiatives.

• 100% Bio-degradable waste (vegetables, food, leaves) converted in manure.
• The Ozonator water treatment plant facilitates removal of dirt, inorganic chemical impurities, and odour from water, thereby eliminating/reducing the risk of ground water contamination. Ozone generator can generate 10 grams of oxygen per hour to disinfect water.
• Wet scrubber installations reduce toxicity of fumes that get generated in the jewellery manufacturing process.

Water Management

VGL operates in a water-scarce area of India and the non-availability of water is a key risk for its business. To overcome VGL is reducing its dependency on freshwater by exploring alternative resources, increasing the recycle and reuse of water and replenishing as much as possible. VGL is working towards long-term conservation and the availability of water to both nearby communities and across its operations.

Couple of Initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, recharge to groundwater and the use of treated sewage water have enabled towards better water management. We have adopted a multi-pronged approach to managing water resources.

Initiatives

• Low LPM faucets - Use of Low LPM faucets in one premises which saves usage of 5KL water per day.
• ETP/STP Plant - Set up of ETP/STP Plant at premises to ensure maximum recycling of process water and reusing the water back into the process. VGL recycles 43 KL per day equivalent to ~15,000KL on a yearly basis.
• Rainwater Harvesting - The company’s installed structures that enable rainwater harvesting of ~52 lac litres, covering ~95,000 sq. ft. during the year under review.
• Rainwater Storage - VGL has converted an area in one of its manufacturing units into an underground tank with a capacity to hold 100 KL of water. VGL will ensure to have a reliable collection, treatment, and testing systems in place before providing the same for drinking. The overflow will be connected to rainwater harvesting pits.