Approach & strategy

Linking People, Planet and Profit

While ‘Delivering a New World of Communications’, we have embedded sustainability at the core of our business strategy. By linking everyone to a digital ecosystem, we are using the enabling power of technology to minimise environmental harm, to help our customers optimise their resources and to empower communities by extending capabilities

Aligning our strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

The UN SDGs provide an ambitious, urgent call-to-action, and a practical framework for businesses to chart their sustainability journey. Our sustainability strategy is closely aligned with the SDGs to contribute toward a meaningful change around the world. We have been progressing well on all these goals and you will find out more information on all goals we contribute directly and indirectly to, and further information on our key initiatives in this direction are included in this Report.

Sustainability approach

The global crisis brought about by the pandemic has brought businesses to a standstill, making agility and resilience critical for business survival and sustainability. Our operations are built for maximum flexibility ensuring swiftness in adopting new collaborative approaches. Throughout this crisis, our top priority has been the safety of our employees and business continuity for our customers and partners. It goes without saying that changes across the world in working practices, attitudes towards travelling, commuting and consumption will unlock opportunities to drive reduced carbon footprints. This alone presents a window of competitive advantage for businesses that are agile in their approach, to stay relevant to the changing needs of the new world.

At Tata Communications, sustainability is built on the premise that positive economic results are possible when we effectively manage our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities. We take responsibility for the impacts of our internal operations by:

Choosing approaches that are least likely to impact the environment

Providing an inclusive and equitable workplace for our employees

Actively volunteering and engaging with our communities

Committing to ethical business behaviour

UN-SDGs mapping for Tata Communications

Note:
Risk mitigation: These SDGs outline risks areas in which negative impacts can be reduced, mitigated, or eliminated through the business activities conducted by Tata Communications.
Opportunities for enhancement: The SDGs in which Tata Communications can seize the business opportunities to create a direct and indirect impact on its overall value chain.


Shaping tomorrow’s actions

At Tata Communications, our Vision is “To create a long-term stakeholder value and sustainable growth for our business by managing risks and embracing opportunities, implementing robust governance practice and optimisation of the economic, environmental and social performance.”

Our sustainability strategy sits and corresponds to three key pillars – People, Planet and Community, centred by robust Corporate Governance.

Technology as a driver for positive change

We believe that access to communication is a basic human need and that responsibly developed and deployed technology has the ability to improve people’s lives. Technology and digitalisation not only can aid and diffuse societal barriers but can also create opportunities for improving our planet. We have confidence that digital technology and environmental sustainability go hand‑in‑hand as it not only brings proficiencies and growth with considered utilisation of resources, while changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies.

Sustainability governance
Our sustainability governance acts as an anchor to our sustainability strategy and targets. Our objective is to maximise economic value while living up to environmental and social expectations. Thus, strong profitability is crucial to continue investing in environmental and social aspects, which in turn contribute to long-term value creation.

At Tata Communications, we already have in place different functional committees to ensure that our Corporate Social Responsibility, H&S, Environment, Customer Satisfaction, Human Resources and Supply Chain management aspects are appropriately reviewed on a continuous basis, with mechanisms to promote shared learning across the different geographies and thus, facilitate performance improvements.

Board and Leadership

The Board is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the effectiveness of Tata Communications sustainability strategy and its implementation

MD & CEO chairs the Global Management Committee (GMC) every quarter comprising his direct reportees

The committee reviews the organistaion’s strategy and business risks and opportunities along with key performance areas including sustainability

Sustainable Development Committee (SDC)

The Sustainable Development Committee is headed and participated by our MD & CEO, GMC members and invited cross‑functional representatives

The role of the SDC is to advise the Company and its Board in meeting its responsibilities in relation to matters of sustainable development

The SDC meets quarterly and provides overall guidance along with reviewing and integrating sustainability priorities and commitments with the business strategies, risk and opportunities

Sub-Committee of Sustainable Development Committee

It involves cross functional representatives from EOHS, HR, CSR, Customer service, Product, Supply Chain, International Operations and more

The Sub-Committee oversees the progress on business sustainability and aspects related to community development, health & safety, environment such as climate change and resource conservation, employee engagement & development, supply chain management, customer requirement & compliances, and human rights

The committee reviews and assess the progress of objectives and targets related to sustainability performance, outlining initiatives required to institutionalise a sustainability culture through involvement of the employees at all levels