Sustainability at Marico is driven by a vision to create long-term shareholder value by managing our risks and embracing opportunities.
Marico believes in consciously maintaining and fulfilling the interests of all its stakeholders – shareholders, consumers, associates, employees, the Government, and the society at large – while growing responsibly and in a sustainable manner. Our sustainability journey is about making a meaningful contribution to national and global priorities, going beyond generating shareholder value to create larger societal impact.
Over the years, we have aligned our sustainability efforts to the global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have taken specific and focused measures within the parameters of our business operations. Sustainability at Marico is pursued under the themes of Climate Change, Resource Optimisation and Corporate Citizenship. In conjunction with the key stakeholders, we have set our sustainability goals along with measurable targets to be achieved by 2022.
We have made significant progress over the years in our core thrust areas of sustainable procurement, energy management, water management, waste management, product responsibility and future-ready capability building.
TARGET
PERFORMANCE
FARMERS
Increase farmer beneficiaries year-on-year by 5%
The Kalpavriksha Programme established this year (FY2017-18) has enrolled and benefitted 2,681 coconut farmers
WATER
Achieve water stewardship by offsetting 100% of our water consumption in operations
80% of our in-house water consumption is conserved from the capacity created by farm ponds and other conservation projects
ENERGY
Reduce energy intensity by 50%
31% reduction in energy intensity achieved from the baseline year FY2012-13
GREEN HOUSE GASES
Reduce GHG emission intensity by 75%
Achieved 54% reduction of Green House Gas (GHG) emission intensity against the baseline year FY2012-13
RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Certify 20% of critical suppliers for Level 1 criteria of Marico Responsible Sourcing (MARS) Guideline
Identified critical material supplier categories; initiated communication on Level 1 requirement of Marico Responsible Sourcing (MARS) Guideline
EMPOWERING OUR FARMERS
A majority of Marico’s raw materials are agricultural produce, hence improving and promoting farmer well-being is of utmost importance to us. We are committed in our efforts to strengthen and develop long-lasting relationships with the farmer community through various initiatives.
PROVIDING ECONOMICAL ADVANTAGE TO COCONUT FARMERS WITH KALPAVRIKSHA
Marico’s flagship programme ‘KALPAVRIKSHA – Double Coconut Farmer’s Income’ established on World Coconut Day on September 2, 2017, is aimed at creating a positive impact on coconut farmers’ income, making a difference to their lives. This initiative supports coconut farmers to increase their yield by training them on all aspects of farm management like nutrient management, pest management, disease management and water management. A pilot project was launched in FY2015 in Tanjore district in the state of Tamil Nadu where Marico supported farmers in increasing their earnings mainly by enabling higher and sustainable crop yield, training and through sharing scientific research and knowledge. The programme was very well received by the farmers and we have touched the lives of more than 3,000 happy farmer families. Regular monitoring of farm diagnosis and enthusiastic participation by farmers have resulted in 18% increase in farm productivity.
2,681
Farmers enrolled and benefitted during FY2017-18
4,017
Farmers covered in the training programmes conducted
PROMOTING SAFFLOWER CULTIVATION AND IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY
Safflower, a minor oil seed, has not been the primary focus for any research organisation and this has impacted the availability of sowing seeds, seed quality, and nonavailability of new variety development and scientific crop management practices
Taking cognisance of this, Marico has undertaken several measures for the safflower farmers to promote safflower cultivation and aid productivity improvement. Seed development and propagation, promoting high yielding varieties, field demonstration of scientific farming techniques, Kisaan Mela, jeep campaigns and pre-sowing farmer training workshops, are among the key programmes conducted reaching to more than 60,000 farmers in five states.
Safflower Extension Programme: Marico works closely with the seed companies, scientists and farmer community
ON OUR WAY TO ACHIEVE WATER STEWARDSHIP
Water is a core thrust area of Marico’s sustainability agenda and our objective is to offset 100% of our water consumption in operations by 2022. We consumed about 22.3 crore litres of water in our operations during FY2017-18. Initiatives like creating farm ponds, dam de-silting measures and setting up community check dams were undertaken during the year. Through these initiatives, capacities were created to harvest about 18 crore litres of water, offsetting 80% of our in-house water consumption, taking us a step closer to achieving water stewardship.
FARM POND CREATION
In India, farmers are at the mercy of rain Gods to meet their agricultural water requirements. Marico recognised this and understood that farm ponds would be a boon to these farmers and help them grow crops even during the Rabi season and achieve better productivity. In a triparty arrangement with the farmer community and Deshpande Foundation (an NGO), Marico created 60 farm ponds in Karnataka. This initiative, helped in storing about 35.17 crore litres of water in FY2017-18. In addition, extra capacity has been built to save water ahead of the monsoon season by setting up 30 additional farm ponds in the state.
60
Farm Ponds constructed
35.2 cr ltrs
Water harvested in FY2017-18
CHECK DAM AND POND CREATION
In order to conserve water through community programmes at the locations we operate in, Marico constructed two check dams at Baddi of 10 lakh litres and 22 lakh litres respectively. The project has improved groundwater level and has supported the irrigation water requirement of farmers benefiting more than 1,500 people. Furthermore, revival of village pond was undertaken at Sanyasikuppam, Pondicherry which led to increase in water table and helped local villager’s livelihood with better water availability for agriculture needs and livestock rearing. Additionally, pond renovation and development work were undertaken at Pudussery panchayat in Kanjikode, Kerala, benefitting 150+ local community members.
All farm ponds geo-tagged
DAM DE-SILTING
With a focus to create a better environment through infrastructural development, Marico started desilting the Yeldari Dam on Purna river in Jintur taluka of Parbhani district in the state of Maharashtra. It is the second-largest dam in Marathwada region. The objective of de-silting was to create a capacity for rainwater storage and preventing water shortage in the future. In addition to helping farmers meet agricultural water demands, the initiative also helped in providing water for domestic consumption and improved livelihood in the area.
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Green Manufacturing is at the heart of our environmental stewardship. Our persistent efforts around energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and renewable energy have enhanced our sustainable footprint. We continue to focus on optimising resource consumption and improving operational efficiencies at our manufacturing locations. All Marico manufacturing units undergo continuous certification of ISO: 14001 Environment Management System and OSHAS: 18001 Health & Safety Management System. Our largest manufacturing unit at Baddi has been certified as per ISO: 50001 Energy Management System.
IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Commitment to reduced energy consumption is nurtured across our business initiatives. Over the years, we have been successful in improving our energy consumption by investing in energy efficient processes and practices. The two key focus areas are optimised energy consumption driven through our Energy Conservation programme and shift to renewable energy. This has resulted in 31% reduction in energy intensity from the baseline year FY2012-13.
31%
reduction in energy intensity from baseline year FY2012-13
REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
We are also working towards restricting emissions by enhancing the energy efficiency of our processes, as well as by investing in low-carbon technologies. Continuous efforts are being made to reduce the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions arising out of our operations. Over the years, our determined approach has resulted in curbing emissions to a significant extent, leading to 54% reduction in emission intensity from the baseline year FY2012-13.
54%
reduction in GHG emissions intensity from baseline year FY2012-13
RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Responsible sourcing at Marico is a business strategy extending our sustainability initiatives to our supply chain. Marico’s Responsible Sourcing (MARS) guideline, instituted a year ago, underpins all our supply and procurement practices and rests on three pillars of responsible sourcing - ethical, social and environmental responsibility. Every Marico supplier is required to adhere to this guideline. In FY2017-18 we identified the critical material supplier categories comprising manufacturing, procurement, logistics and depots. We have initiated communication on the level 1 requirement of MARS guideline to the suppliers in these categories.
EDUCATE
Self declaration to Marico sustainability policy and the Marico Code of Business Ethics
Level 1
EVALUATE
Disclose goals and Key Performance Indicators, identify gaps
Level 2
EVOLVE
Handholding to improve existing systems and processes
Level 3
RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
OUR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) PHILOSOPHY
Marico’s stated purpose is to ‘Make a Difference’ by ensuring a positive impact. We aim to transform in a sustainable manner, the lives of those we touch, by nurturing and empowering them to maximise their true potential. Marico works closely with its ecosystem to create a sustainable and inclusive growth for all. We firmly believe that all stakeholders in any organisation are closely interlinked in an interdependent ecosystem. A compelling sense of higher purpose creates an extraordinary degree of engagement amongst all stakeholders, and catalyses creativity, innovation and commitment.
MARICO INNOVATION FOUNDATION (MIF)
Set up in 2003, Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) is a not-for-profit organisation executing the Corporate Social Responsibility for Marico Limited. Through its sector agnostic programmes, the Foundation works towards nurturing innovations that have the potential to bring change and add immense value to the overall growth of the nation.
25+
organisations scaled up
13+
sectors impacted
90+
strong Marico mentor pool
30+
external expert mentors
Our MIF vision encompasses the innovation ecosystem in India. MIF believes that innovation can spur creation and sustenance of successful and enduring Indian brands. That will enable India to reposition itself as a global economic power. ~ Harsh Mariwala, Founder Marico Innovation Foundation
Scale-Up Programme:
MIF’s Scale-up Programme aims to help young ‘innovative’ organisations in accelerating their growth through what we call ‘deep rooted and intensive mentoring’ from a domain expert. The mentors devote their time and experience in developing an implementable course of action and the process is monitored by us through pre-determined milestones. The engagement ends when the challenge is resolved and the organisation is ready to scale up operations seamlessly.-
MIF Awards Programme:
Started in the year 2006, this is a biennial platform that identifies and awards innovations that hold the potential to generate large-scale impact. Over the previous editions, MIF has recognised more than 50 innovations across categories. -
MIF Talkies:
This is a recognition platform in the form of short online video series that showcases impactful innovations with an aim to increase their exposure. It has proven to amplify awareness, resulting in tangible benefits for innovations. -
MIF Innowin:
Committed to creating a culture of innovation in India, highlights of the journey of successful innovations and innovators form the crux of Innowin. Over time, the content of Innowin has evolved from the conventional magazine that it used to be, to MIF’s weekly online newsletter.
OUR PURPOSE-LED BRANDS
SAFFOLALIFE: VISION TO CREATE HEART HEALTHY INDIA
Saffolalife remains committed to its vision of creating a Heart Healthy India. Over the years it has consistently launched many initiatives to educate consumers on the importance of taking care of their hearts. On the occasion of World Heart Day, Saffolalife launched the Saffolalife Study 2017 which highlighted the barriers that Indians face when it comes to leading a healthy life for a healthy heart. Identifying these barriers is the first step towards overcoming them, and Saffolalife encouraged people to overcome these barriers by changing their perspectives towards these barriers and finding ways of integrating focused efforts to stay heart healthy in their everyday lives. This study was conducted among 1306 respondents across Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata.
Saffolalife: “Corporates for Safe and Nutritious Food” Campaign
This educational programme highlights the importance of eating safe and nutritious food. During the year FY2017-18, a prototype was started in Mumbai and Jalgaon region covering over 200 schools, and impacting 18,000+ students.
NIHAR SHANTI AMLA: CHOTTE KADAM PRAGATI KE AUR (SMALL STEPS TOWARDS PROGRESS)
In 2012, Marico under its hair oil brand Nihar Shanti Amla launched the programme ‘Chotte Kadam Pragati ke Aur’ to support the education of underprivileged children. Through Educate Girls, an NGO, we support quality education for underserved and marginalised girls by mobilising public, private and community resources, thus improving access to education and school quality. In FY2017-18, a total of 88,773 students were benefitted from this programme.
Nihar Mobile Pathshala (called ‘Pathshala Funwala’) is another platform created for housing quality learning content co-designed with leading educationist organisation Pratham. The learning modules are available via a toll-free number (8055667788) and free-of-cost IVR (Interactive Voice Response) to educate children in a fun and engaging manner. Currently, the audio modules are designed to teach English. The time spent on the modules has gone up from 1.2 minutes to 16 minutes per caller.
Three priority interventions:
Retention
Learning outcomes
Soft & life skills trainings
88,773
students have benefitted In FY2017-18
MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO THE COMMUNITY
Community development is integral to building a harmonious relationship with the community living in and around our manufacturing facilities. At all our manufacturing locations, we work closely with the community and are committed towards making a sustainable impact on the society. Some of the key activities undertaken by our units in FY2017-18 are in the areas of education, healthcare, livelihood enhancement and water conservation.
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Promoting Women Hygiene
The rural women in India have very limited understanding of the need for basic health and hygiene practices. In order to sensitise village women towards good hygiene habits, the Paonta unit took upon the task of spreading awareness. Over 415 rural women and adolescent girls were covered through general consultation and discussions with senior gynaecologists, followed by a documentary film on good hygiene practices. -
Empowering the Girl Child: Sakshar Beti Sudhrid Samaj
The ‘Sakshar Beti Sudhrid Samaj’ programme was conducted for female students of the state-run Senior Secondary School in Majra, Paonta Sahib. As part of the programme, career counselling and motivational sessions were organised and stationery kits were distributed to around 234 girl students. -
Skill Development: Mobile Repair Workshop
To address the challenges of youth unemployment, free-of-cost mobile repair workshops were organised. 23 youth from 13 villages were enrolled during the first month of the workshop. Expert trainers were brought in to impart daily classroom study and practical sessions. The Chamber of Commerce has appreciated this effort and has ensured support to these people on securing loans and other financial aid for the start-ups.