Vedanta Launches VEDAS With AXA Climate For Sustainability

Vedanta Group, a global leader in natural resources, on Wednesday, said that it has launched VEDAS (Vedanta Academy for Sustainability) in collaboration with AXA Climate, a climate risk and resilience services.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, emphasising Vedanta’s commitment, said "The launch of VEDAS marks a new chapter in Vedanta’s sustainability journey. This is more than a learning initiative—it’s a movement to empower, educate, and embed sustainability into everything we do. Through VEDAS, we are building a future-ready workforce that will drive real impact, ensuring that every function, every decision, and every action takes us closer to our net-zero goals. Sustainability isn’t just an agenda for Vedanta—it’s our way forward." 

This initiative is set to equip over 100,000 employees and business partners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to drive Vedanta’s ambitious net-zero journey and ESG commitments.

Through VEDAS, Vedanta is integrating sustainability into the DNA of its operations, ensuring that every business decision and action contributes meaningfully to climate leadership, community transformation, and responsible resource management. The program is an industry-first effort to build a sustainability-first workforce, making Vedanta not just a participant but a leader in shaping the future of responsible business.

Built on Vedanta’s three-pillar sustainability framework—Transforming Communities, Transforming the Planet, and Transforming the Workplace—VEDAS will deliver high-impact learning through targeted e-learning modules, hands-on workshops, and leadership-driven engagements. This structured approach will embed ESG excellence at every level of the organization, creating a new generation of sustainability champions.

Antoine Poincare, Vice President, AXA Climate, added, "Sustainable transition is the bedrock upon which resilient and prosperous futures must be built. Through VEDAS, we are proud to partner with Vedanta to provide the knowledge, tools, and expertise needed to advance climate and community resilience. Our joint efforts will not only enhance awareness, upskilling and innovation within the group, but also foster lasting changes in the industries pivotal to the global sustainability agenda."

VEDAS will offer training modules focused on building a Future-Ready Workforce:

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation – Enabling employees to drive Vedanta’s net-zero transition, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, scaling renewable energy adoption (targeting 2.5 GW of Round-The-Clock Renewable Energy by 2030), and integrating climate risk management strategies.

Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy – Advancing responsible resource management through net water positivity by 2030, waste reduction, biodiversity protection, and circular economy principles to minimize environmental impact while maximizing value creation.

Community Development & Stakeholder Engagement – Strengthening Vedanta’s social impact by embedding responsible community engagement, skill development, women and child empowerment, and inclusive growth into business practices.

ESG Governance & Best Practices – Raising the bar for corporate governance, diversity, workplace safety, and ethical business practices, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core driver of business excellence.

Vedanta’s sustainability roadmap is aiming to create a measurable impact on the planet, communities, and the workplace. It has been ranked 4th among global Metal & Mining peers in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024.

The company aims to achieve net water positivity by 2030, with five businesses already reaching this milestone. Vedanta targets 2.5 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and has secured 1.8 GW of Power Delivery Agreements (PDAs). Through its ‘Spark’ initiative, the company has engaged with over 80 start-ups to drive sustainable business transformation. It has also been recognized as a ‘Kincentric Best Employer’ for two consecutive years and is working towards a 40% leadership diversity target by 2030.

The launch of VEDAS is a milestone in Vedanta’s sustainability journey, reinforcing its position as a global ESG leader committed to building a greener, more responsible future.