Mumbai: ISS Facility Services India, a subsidiary of the Denmark-based global facility management services and workplace experiences leader ISS A/S (ISS Group) in association with the Indo-Danish Business Association (IDBA) organised a Round Table on the theme of ‘Embracing Sustainability & Innovation – Renew, Restore, Reinvent’. Eminent industry leaders who are spearheading sustainability initiatives in their organisations participated in the Round Table and shared their views on how to embrace sustainability and innovation.
Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S delivered the keynote address and took the audience through the three pillars of the ISS sustainability agenda – social sustainability based on a deep respect for people; environmental sustainability based on full-scope net zero emissions by 2040, and thirdly the ISS focus on diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
He further added that to achieve lofty goals, “You have to have a man-on-the-moon vision. You may not immediately know exactly how you are going to do it, but the actions should be towards achieving it. We need to identify where the biggest CO2 footprint is and then work on reducing it. From a senior leadership perspective, you need to have a lot of commitment.”
Moderating the panel discussion and speaking on the occasion, Aksh Rohatgi, CEO, and Country Manager, ISS India said, “We need to design sustainability initiatives with a profitability focus, and the importance of building a multiplier effect for the adoption of sustainability by involving the workforce well as making it as a part of the larger ESG agenda. There is a tremendous amount of learning that we can have from a country like Denmark which is leading the way in the green transition.”
Other eminent speakers included industry leaders Sangeeta Ray, VP Head-Real Estate, (India & Bangladesh) Siemens, Amit Gupta, Director, Head of Realty Service, South Asia & Lead for Sustainability APAC, Citibank, Nagesh B.S, Founder of TRRAIN & Chairman of Shoppers Stop. They expressed their thoughts on fast-tracking the sustainability agenda and shared examples from their firms and industry at large as well as their vision of sustainability for the future.
Jacob Aarup-Andersen also informed the audience about Denmark’s ambition to accelerate the green transition globally. He shared Denmark’s focus on reduced emissions and economic growth which is driven by the transition to renewable energy and how Denmark is leading the way on three major sustainability themes – energy production, water management and building management. Recounting his meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Denmark, he recalled the conversation around the strengthening of the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries and the increased focus on green hydrogen, renewable energy and wastewater management.
ISS has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions within Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and full-scope net zero emissions by 2040 – including its full supply chain. Furthermore, ISS has committed to offering full-scope reporting of its environmental footprint. These ambitious targets demonstrate ISS’s dedication to being recognised as among the best environmental leaders and a catalyst of real change in its industry.
ISS is already fully engaged in sustainability efforts within the entire ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) scope across the more than 30 countries worldwide that the company operates in. Now, ISS is accelerating its climate and environmental efforts even further with the ambitious net zero targets that encompass all activity across the business, including the full scope of ISS’s supply chain. In the coming years, numerous global activities within food sustainability, water and waste reductions and energy management will be initiated – both within the organisation and not least, in close cooperation with customers and suppliers.
