Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has embarked on a significant environmental initiative by planting over 700,000 trees across Maharashtra. This tree plantation drive is a vital component of the company’s broader ecological restoration efforts, which encompass sustainable energy adoption, mangrove rehabilitation, and carbon footprint reduction across its operations.
A green milestone at green future park
A notable achievement in SAVWIPL’s green campaign was the planting of the 100,000th tree at the company’s Green Future Park, located near the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar car manufacturing facility. The park has been designed to enhance oxygen levels in the Shendra Industrial Area and support the rejuvenation of local ecosystems. The establishment of the park is intended to promote ecological balance, reduce emissions, and contribute to improving air quality in the region.
SAVWIPL’s commitment to sustainability is further reflected in its transition towards green energy solutions. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant has now been fully decarbonised, operating entirely on renewable energy. The company’s Chakan facility in Pune is also leading in environmental innovation, with the installation of rooftop solar panels generating 18.5 MWp of power. This solar capacity offsets approximately 30 per cent of the facility’s CO2 emissions, reinforcing SAVWIPL’s ambition to minimise its carbon footprint.
In addition to tree planting efforts, SAVWIPL has restored 100 hectares of degraded mangrove forests in Alibaug by planting over 580,000 mangrove trees. These efforts are essential in protecting and restoring the coastal ecosystem, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Recognising the importance of water conservation, the company has also implemented rainwater harvesting systems in water-scarce areas of Maharashtra. With a combined storage capacity of over 600 million litres, these systems are designed to address drought challenges, ensuring sustainable water management for the surrounding communities and industrial zones.
SAVWIPL has gone beyond its primary environmental projects by developing additional green spaces around its Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune facilities. Key initiatives include planting 25,000 trees at Oxygen Park and 11,500 trees at the Green Hub. Furthermore, the Green Future Park has been enriched with 63,500 newly planted trees, strengthening the company’s efforts to create sustainable, ecologically rich environments.
The company’s environmental actions align with the Volkswagen Group’s global ‘goTOzero’ strategy, which prioritises reducing environmental impact through sustainable practices. By investing in large-scale tree planting and ecological restoration, SAVWIPL aims to reduce CO2 emissions as the trees mature over the next 5–7 years. These efforts will not only contribute to carbon sequestration but also lower local temperatures, enhance biodiversity, and improve green cover in the areas surrounding its operations.
A spokesperson from SAVWIPL remarked, “These initiatives will play a significant role in combating climate change by reducing emissions and fostering ecological restoration. Beyond environmental impact, our efforts contribute towards sustainable living, creating cooler microclimates and more liveable communities.”
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, headquartered in Pune, manages the operations of five leading automotive brands—Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini. With manufacturing facilities in Chakan and Shendra, the company produces both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) models, highlighting its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
SAVWIPL’s environmental initiatives are a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility. By integrating ecological restoration with clean energy practices, the company is making a meaningful contribution towards a greener future in Maharashtra and setting a benchmark for sustainability within the automotive industry.
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