Report on

Larsen & Toubro

In partial fulfilment of Sustainability course

Introduction

Larsen & Toubro is a major technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial
services conglomerate, with global operations. It is head-quartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It
was founded by Danish engineers.

Quoting from the annual sustainability report of L&T

Green Product Portfolio
As a company that executes major EPC contracts in key sectors, we see ourselves as green enablers.
We are leveraging contemporary technology developments to help customers enhance energy
conservation and advance further on a low carbon path. The green strategies that we have formulated
and executed yield both environmental benefits and business growth. Our green products and services
portfolio steadily increased to INR107.67 billion in the FY 2014-15, an increase of over 30% from the
previous year.

Water Conservation
The fact that in a lot of our villages people still line up in queues to fill up water reflects a skewed
approach to a vital resource. On our part, we have been consistently propagating the message of
conservation. All our 28 major campuses have achieved zero waste water discharge status, with 5
being water positive. Additionally, we have built 50 check dams in the reporting year through the
L&T Public Charitable Trust, taking our tally of check dams to 200.

Building Indias Social Infrastructure

As a corporate that seeks to play a meaningful role in fostering an equitable society, we have decided
to integrate our efforts to serve a single, overarching objective - Building Indias Social Infrastructure.
This we feel is where our strengths and resources will have maximum traction. We believe we possess
the innovative capabilities and expertise to stimulate transformational change in the communities we
address. In Building Indias Social Infrastructure, our approach has been to co-create with the
communities we work with. Active participation from community members is sought at every step to
instil a sense of ownership in the projects that we jointly undertake. Through our

Steps taken by L&T in these directions

a> Solar energy usage is increased at two locations and now 13 establishments of L&T use solar
energy namely; Chennai, Kattupalli, Hazira, Talegaon, Mahape, Vadodara, Ahmednagar,
Mysore, Coimbatore, Powai, LDA Lonavala, Ranoli and Sohar Oman.
b> L&T is channel partner of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of
India with highest rating as a system Integrator & Renewable Energy Service Company
(RESCO).
c> Commissioning Asias largest (125 MWp) solar thermal power plant in Rajasthan based on
high efficiency and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) CSP technology. i-LSTK based solar
power project of 11MWp at Warangal District, Telangana.
d> More than 11% renewable energy is used at L&T units.
e> More than 236,796 GJ of energy saved at L&T establishments over last eight years - avoiding
over 53,936 tons of CO2 emissions.
f> All major 28 campuses across India have adopted zero wastewater discharge approach.

g> At L&T campuses and project sites, the water consumption per employee (intensity) reduced
by 11.5 % with respect to 2011-12.
h> Number of check dams increased to 200 from 150. These check dams benefit tribal
population in the Palghar district with collective storage capacity of 1200 million litres.
i> Within L&T campuses more than 2 million sq.ft certified green space consists of 14 green
buildings (including one green factory at Vadodara by E&A business)

Analysis

1> Increasing the solar energy usage at L&T is a good move towards reducing carbon footprint.
Global warming threatens the survival of countless species as well as the survival of human
society. Luckily, Sun is a huge source of energy, providing immense resources that can
generate clean, non-polluting and sustainable electricity resulting in no global warming
emissions. Generating electricity from renewable energy sources rather than from fossils
fuels like coal offer several health benefits. The air pollution caused by burning of coal causes
breathing problems, neurological damage, heart attacks and cancer etc. Using renewable
sources of energy instead of non-renewable sources of energy (like fossils fuels) reduces
premature mortality and overall healthcare costs as well.
Solar energy require no water to operate and hence does not pollute water resources. In
contrast, both natural gas drilling and coal mining can pollute sources of water. Also, nuclear
power, coal, natural gas depend on large amount of water for cooling and limited availability
of water during drought can put the electricity generation at risk. Whereas solar energy
powered photovoltaic cell can mitigate this risk during water crisis.
Solar energy powered systems are less prone to large scale failure as they are distributed and
modular systems spread over large geographical areas. Severe weather event in one location
will have no impact on the availability of power at other locations powered by solar energy.
Global warming if left unabated is projected to cost the society heavily. So fighting global
warming with solar power would help the society save the billions or even trillions of dollars.
Solar power provides energy security, reason being, no one can buy the sun or turn sunlight
into ones monopoly.
Solar power provides energy independence in the same way as it provides energy security.
Again, the fuel for solar panel cannot be monopolized. It is free for all. Once you have solar
panels, you have an independent source of electricity that is yours.
In the long run, going for solar energy by industrial houses is a profitable and sustainable
proposition.
2> Dams plays an important role in utilising water resources. Dams are useful in meeting the
demands of water as and when required. They are constructed to prevent floods, to supply
drinking water, to supply water for other purposes like irrigation and in the generation of
electricity.

Dams impound water floodwaters and then either store the water for other uses or release
them under control to the river below the dam.
Dams provide recreational facilities. For ex; Boating is supported by dams.
3> Water recycling is reusing treated water for purposes like agricultural and landscape
irrigation, toilet flushing, industrial processes and replenishing ground water basin. Recycled
water is commonly used for non-drinking purpose.
Along with providing a dependable, locally controlled water supply, water recycling can help
us find ways to decrease the diversion of water from sensitive ecosystems, decrease waste
water discharges and reduce and prevent pollution.
Fish, wildlife depend on sufficient water flows to their habitat. Lack of adequate flow of
water because of diversion for agricultural, industrial and urban purposes can deteriorate the
water quality and ecosystem health. Industrial users can compensate their water demand by
using recycled water which can free considerable amount of water for the environment and
the ecosystem.
Recycled water can be used to enhance or create wetlands. Streams that have been dried from
water diversion can be augmented with recycled water to sustain and improve the aquatic
habitat.
Without compromising public health, water recycling has been proven to be effective in
creating a reliable water supply. Use of water for non-drinking purpose is a widely accepted
practice that will continue to grow.
Water recycling is a sustainable approach and cost effective in the long run. The treatment of
waste water and installation of distribution system can be initially expensive compared to
water supplies like ground water.
As water demands and environmental needs grow, recycling water for reuse will play a vital
role in the overall water supply. Working towards water recycling along with water
conservation would help us conserve and sustainably manage our water resources.
4> Green building, also known as green construction or sustainable building refers to both the
structure and the processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient
throughout a buildings life cycle. It involves finding the balance between homebuilding and
the sustainable environment.
The common objective of green buildings is to reduce the overall impact of the built
environment on human health and the natural environment by
a> Protecting improving employee productivity and occupant health.
b> Reducing pollution, environmental degradation and waste.
c> Efficiently using water, energy and other resources.

Globally, buildings are responsible for a huge share of water, electricity, energy and water
consumption. The building sector has the greatest potential to cut their emissions at little or
no extra cost. If new technologies are not adopted in the construction of building the
emissions could double by 2050. So, green buildings reduce environmental impact.

Conclusion

Larsen & Toubro is a reputed multinational conglomerate with business interests in

engineering, construction, manufacturing goods, information technology, and financial
services. All the steps taken by L&T will have positive impact on planet, people and profit. In
the aspiration of becoming an innovative, entrepreneurial and empowered team constantly
creating value and attaining global benchmarks, focusing on sustainable growth is
commendable.