Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, one of the leading automakers in the country, has received the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Platinum certification in the Indian Automotive Industry in the owner-occupied category.
This the company says makes it the first automaker in the country to receive the certification. This the OEM says is a acknowledgment of the consistent eco-friendly initiatives undertaken by the organisation to reduce its carbon footprint.
The new Parts Expedition Centre in Chakan, Pune was built with sustainability in mind and facilitates the export of CKD parts for assembly in Vietnam. Some of the key initiatives include optimal orientation for solar power generation, energy-efficient lighting and equipment, water conservation, effective waste management, and promoting a green mindset among employees.
To obtain the prestigious Indian Green Building Council certification, organisations must dedicate at least 15% of their total area to greenery. Aligning with its sustainable goals, SAVWIPL achieved this by integrating space-saving vertical gardens without compromising the capacity of the operational area. To reduce its carbon footprint, the centre also uses electric vehicles and charging stations for internal logistics and operations.
Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India said, “We are delighted to receive the prestigious IGBC Platinum certificate for our Pune facility. Sustainability is at the core of our operations, and this certification stands as a testament to our commitment towards environmental conservation. The Group’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility uses 100 percent Green Energy for car manufacturing, while upto 30 percent of the Pune plant’s total consumption is powered by Green Energy. With green initiatives like these across our facilities, we will be reinforcing our position as a sustainability-centric automotive company.”
The automaker says the certification recognises its efforts towards its ‘goTOzero’ goal of developing ecological and energy-efficient infrastructure that minimises the company’s environmental impact. Aligning with its Corporate Strategy 2032, SAVWIPL has already implemented renewable energy sources at its plants and plans to substantially increase that share. The Platinum rating from the IGBC is the highest level of certification and highlights the company’s stringent approach throughout the project lifecycle to build sustainably.
