TCS
TCS Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2030
TCS a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, has announced its plans to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions across Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 70% by 2025 (over 2016 base year), and to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.
In its recently published Integrated Report, the company has set forth this new carbon reduction goal after having achieved the previous target of reducing its specific carbon footprint by half by 2020 (versus baseline year FY 2008), ahead of schedule. In FY 2021, TCS’ specific carbon footprint across Scope 1 and Scope 2 was lower by 61.6% compared to baseline year FY 2008.
At the core of TCS’ strategy to reduce its carbon footprint is improved energy efficiency through the addition of more green buildings to the company’s real estate portfolio, reduction of IT system power usage, and the use of TCS Clever Energy™, which leverages IoT, machine learning and AI to optimize energy consumption across campuses. TCS’ Vision 25x25 is a strategic lever that delinks TCS’ business growth from campus expansion, and brings down emissions related to employee commutes and business travel. Other elements of its net zero aspiration include greater use of renewable sources of energy and carbon removal offsets.
“Our net zero goal underlines our renewed commitment to environmental stewardship. To curb emissions and limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, all organizations will have to reimagine existing business models and aim for sustainable growth. We are in a unique position to combine our purpose-driven world view with digital innovation to not only drive our own sustainability, but also partner with customers, civil society and governments to lead and shape solutions for a sustainable future,” said N G Subramaniam, COO & Executive Director, TCS.
TCS’ environmental footprint was significantly reduced in FY 2021 due to the large-scale switch to remote working, enabled by its Secure Borderless Workspaces™ operating model. With over 97% of employees working from home throughout the year, resource consumption, emissions and wastes were significantly lower. During the year, the company’s absolute energy consumption came down by 46.6% over the prior year, and absolute carbon footprint (Scope 1 + Scope 2) by 48.8%
TCS will also continue its efforts in water conservation and waste management through reduction and recycling initiatives. All its campuses ensure zero biodegradable waste to landfill and zero water discharge. TCS has also eliminated the use of single-use plastics across campuses and ensured the recycling of all recyclable plastic waste.
TCS is certified under the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System standard, across 120 locations globally. The company was recently awarded a Gold rating in the EcoVadis 2021 Sustainability Assessment, for the eighth consecutive year. TCS outperformed its peers in all four key areas of measurement: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
MPHASIS
Mphasis, Government of Alberta and University of Calgary partner to accelerate the development of Quantum Computing ecosystem in Calgary
An information technology solutions provider specializing in cloud and cognitive services, Government of Alberta and the University of Calgary (UCalgary) together announced a strategic partnership to:
• Spur economic growth and high-quality job creation within the technology sector in Alberta; will create 500 -
1000 technology jobs
• Sparkle Calgary’ by introducing experiential learning programs with Mphasis proprietary platform
• Establish Quantum City Centre of Excellence (CoE) to strengthen the UCalgary innovation ecosystem by creating
a hub for companies focused on the commercial development of Quantum technologies.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration, Premier Jason Kenney, Alberta Province, Canada said, “We are proud to be home to an innovative endeavour such as the Sparkle Calgary Technology Centre that brings together tech leader Mphasis, and the University of Calgary, to enhance the future of our budding tech talent. We will work together to jointly expand Alberta’s capacity to generate highly-qualified personnel to support growing industry needs on a local, national and international scale.”
“The Quantum Computing lab at UCalgary aligns with Mphasis’ expertise and partnerships in Alberta’s Research and Innovation Framework (ARIF) which covers diverse industries such as Financial Services, Logistics, Energy, Space, Clean Tech, Climate and Environment, Biotech amongst many others. We are delighted that this collaboration will elevate Mphasis’ expansion of its operations in Canada, while promoting the Province’s position as a global hub for next generation technology, including quantum computing,” said Nitin Rakesh, Executive Director & CEO, Mphasis.
“This is the start of something big,” said Ed McCauley, President of UCalgary. “Thanks to the people and technology cultivated at Quantum City, Calgary’s economy will grow and diversify. Quantum technologies often sound like science fiction today, but they will sound like pay cheques tomorrow. This is how great research universities improve their community and it’s a great day for UCalgary.”
UCalgary, in association with Mphasis, is pursuing the development of an AI-driven personalized learning experience. This capability will be further extended and commercialized for the global education market
“Mphasis’ decision to put their Canadian headquarters in Calgary reflects our city’s growing reputation, and our global recognition, as a burgeoning technology ecosystem. It is through the culmination of hard work from partners like the University of Calgary, Calgary Economic Development and Invest Alberta that companies know Calgary as the destination of choice for the world’s best entrepreneurs who embrace innovation to solve the world’s biggest challenges,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “And our mission to India last year gave us the opportunity to solidify the relationship and take part in some meaningful dialogue with Mphasis’ executives to ensure they heard first-hand about our amazing community.
“Invest Alberta recognizes the transformative potential of applied technology to innovate business practices, and the critical work of IT firms. We believe that Mphasis, with its blend of innovative technology and services will strengthen Alberta’s technology portfolio and empower the province to become a global technology hub and leader in IT, quantum computing, blockchain, fintech, data, and artificial intelligence,” David Knight Legg, CEO, Invest Alberta Corporation.
“We are thrilled that Mphasis selected Calgary as their North American Quantum Computing hub. As we grew our relationship with the Mphasis team over the last several years, Calgary emerged as the natural fit given our extraordinary programming at post secondaries like the University of Calgary. Mphasis is known globally for their cloud and cognitive services, and they will help propel Calgary’s growing tech ecosystem to new levels and create hundreds of local jobs,” said Patrick Mattern, Vice President Business Development, Calgary Economic Development.
LUPIN
Lupin Launches Authorized Generic Version of Brovana® in the United States
Global pharma major, Lupin Limited (Lupin), announced the launch of the authorized generic version of Brovana® (arformoterol tartrate) Inhalation Solution 15 mcgꝉ/2 mL, unit-dose vials, of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Arformoterol Tartrate Inhalation Solution 15 mcg/2 mL, is indicated for the long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is for use by nebulization only.
HCL
HCL Tops the Edelweiss ESG Scorecard & Ratings for India’s top 100 Companies
HCL Technologies, (HCL), a leading global technology company, has been recognized as the leader in the Edelweiss ESG Scorecard & Ratings and received the highest overall score among India’s Top NSE 100 companies. HCL was recognized for its best practices and effective integration of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) programs throughout its operations, reflecting HCL’s continued efforts and commitment toward sustainability and ESG. The framework assessed all NSE 100 companies on 40 key metrics spread across ESG and overall, HCL received an Edelweiss ESG score of 91.9 out of 100
The Environment metric in the Edelweiss framework covered the nature of core business, impact of business on environmental emissions, waste disposals and effluents discharge. The Social metric covered impact of the company’s product, service on society, employee relationship, diversity and equality. The Governance metric covered the track record toward minority shareholders, capital allocation track record, board related metrics, and business and accounting disclosures quality. ESG factors that influence long term perceptions and valuations have higher weights in the Edelweiss framework.
HCL’s commitment to addressing ESG concerns flows from its desire to be a good citizen and the company’s focus on ESG has helped it deliver strong value and build lasting and productive relationships with its clients, employees and stakeholders. HCL’s Sustainability and ESG strategy, aligned to the United Nation’s Global Compact (UNGC) sustainable development goals, is organized around social, environmental and economic concerns – referred to as “People, Planet, and Prosperity.”
“At HCL, we consciously work toward integrating ESG programs into our strategies and company goals to deliver value to our clients, employees, investors and the communities in which we live and work. This recognition of HCL’s best business practices is extremely gratifying, and I would like to thank Edelweiss for recognizing our work, which will certainly act as an impetus going forward,” said C Vijayakumar, President and CEO, HCL Technologies.
The Edelweiss ESG Scorecard & Ratings framework assessed companies across 15 sectors on 40 critical ESG data points and their time series. The weights are equally divided across E, S & G (broadly 33.3% each). The framework claims to have considered inherent risks and opportunities in the IT sector and the company’s efforts to mitigate the risks and benefits from opportunities. While a peer-to-peer comparison is reflected in the report, a relative assessment has also been conducted vis-à-vis NSE100 universe. Based on their performance on the above parameters, companies receive scores ranging from 0 to 100, 100 being the highest.
BEML
BEML starts manufacturing Oxygen Generating Units ** An effort towards managing the 2nd wave of the pandemic **
BEML has always been at the forefront when it comes to dealing with national crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected every sphere of life. In the wake of this 2nd wave of Covid pandemic and to mitigate the oxygen shortages in the country for Covid patients, BEML has successfully started manufacturing960 LPM Medical Oxygen Plants at its KGF complex in record time under a ToT agreement with M/s. Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru under DRDO.
The first set of Medical Oxygen Plant has been rolled out and is being delivered to Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences, Koppal. BEML has received orders for 100 nos. from M/s DEBEL in May 21, under ‘PM Cares’ fund and the same is expected to be supplied by end July 2021.
In co-ordination with District Level Medical Authorities, BEML is also establishing a 960 LPM Capacity Medical Oxygen Plant in one of the designated hospitals in Karnataka, under CSR.