Ambuja Cements & ACC Achieve SBTi Net-Zero Validation

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – In a monumental leap for industrial sustainability in India, Ambuja Cements and ACC, the Adani Portfolio’s cement and building materials giants, have achieved a landmark. They are now the first two leading Indian cement companies to have their ambitious near-term and net-zero emission targets officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This crucial recognition firmly positions them at the vanguard of India’s decarbonization efforts.

The SBTi, globally recognized as the gold standard for corporate net-zero target setting, has endorsed the companies’ commitment to achieve near-term emission reductions by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This aligns them directly with the Paris Agreement’s critical 1.5°C global warming goal and significantly contributes to India’s national commitment of achieving net-zero by 2070.

“We take immense pride in Ambuja Cements’ and ACC’s long-standing tradition of pioneering sustainability initiatives as we feel a strong responsibility to act in the climate crisis,” stated Mr. Vinod Bahety, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group. He emphasized, “The SBTi represents the highest standard for corporate climate targets. With the validation of our targets by the SBTi, we reinforce our dedication to creating a future where growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”

This validation is more than just a badge of honor; it’s a strategic enabler. It will allow both Ambuja Cements and ACC to comply with the Indian government’s Carbon Credit and Trading Scheme and actively participate in carbon markets, furthering their financial and environmental sustainability.

The companies’ decarbonization strategy prioritizes direct emission cuts, focusing on a range of initiatives. These include substantial investments in green power, alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR), enhanced energy efficiency, and technology upgrades. Ambuja Cement is also a global pioneer, being the first cement manufacturer worldwide to join the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID), led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and is a member of WEF’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative.

The synergy within the broader Adani Group ecosystem plays a pivotal role in this ambitious undertaking. With a USD 100 billion commitment to India’s green energy transition, the Adani Group is aggressively scaling its renewable capacity to 50 GW by 2030 and building an integrated green hydrogen platform. Leveraging these group-level investments, Ambuja Cements aims to source an impressive 60% of its power requirements from renewable and green sources by FY’28, including 1 GW of solar and wind power, and 376 MW of Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS).

“We are the 9th largest cement manufacturer in the world and after Cemex, Heidelberg and Holcim, only one of this scale to achieve net-zero target validation,” Mr. Bahety highlighted. “Our journey doesn’t stop here – this is yet another step towards realising our vision for a decarbonised and sustainable world.”

This validation is a powerful mandate for Ambuja Cements and ACC, setting new benchmarks for the cement industry. It unequivocally demonstrates that bold climate action is not just a future aspiration but a present reality, actively underway to build a more sustainable tomorrow.