Safeguarding & Enhancing Nature conservation to solve for climate change

In the delicate web of life, nature and its resources form the very fabric that sustains us. From the air we breathe to the water we drink and the food we eat, nature gifts are the essence of our existence. With the plethora of wildlife, natural resources, trees, oceans and mountains, the earth is all we have.

However, with time, humankind has depleted the resources, endangered wildlife and made the world polluted with their daily toxic practices. World Nature Conservation Day is the day to create awareness on building, promoting and safeguarding our nature, biodiversity, natural resources, wildlife on our planet. This year, the day is themed “Forest & livelihoods: sustaining people and planet” and it’s to emphasise on the importance and significance of conserving nature and natural resources, protecting human habit and raising awareness on the threat of climate change on livelihoods of communities.

India is home to a diverse range of forests—moist and dry tropical forests, temperate and subtropical forests, alpine forests and scrub forests. It is one of the 17 countries that is home to 8% of the world’s known flora and fauna. Indian forests support the livelihood of nearly 275 million people, who are dependent on forests for food, fuelwood, fodder and other forest products. In addition, Forest loss impacts India’s carbon emissions. FSI estimates show that India has a carbon stock of 7.1 gigatons that has been increasing over the years with net tree cover gain. According to GFW, loss of tree cover in India releases an average of 0.037 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year. Biodiversity conservation and human well-being are tightly interlinked. Yet, mismatches in the scale at which these two priority issues are planned and implemented have exacerbated biodiversity loss, erosion of ecosystem services and declining human quality of life. India houses the second largest human population on the planet, while 5% of the country’s land area is effectively protected for conservation. From extreme weather events, to rising pressures on finite natural resources, changes in the global environment will increasingly impact operating costs, markets for products, the availability of raw materials and the reputation of businesses. As stewards of this planet, it is our sacred duty to preserve and protect these invaluable resources. Embracing sustainable practices and nurturing biodiversity are not mere choices, they are imperatives for our collective survival.

Honeywell’s commitment to sustain the planet

The Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), the philanthropic arm of Honeywell India drives social responsibility interventions for the company. Together with leading public institutions and non-profit organisations, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address needs in the communities it serves. HHSIF is leading our mission to create sustainable ecosystems and empower communities across the country. As we celebrate World Nature Conservation Day, I am delighted to share the incredible strides Honeywell is taking towards environmental sustainability in India.

We have taken our commitment a step further by investing over INR 150 Crores in the coming decade towards environmental sustainability projects in rural India, benefiting some of the most underprivileged communities.

Honeywell has partnered with Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) to develop sustainable ecosystems through multi-sectoral interventions in Telangana and Karnataka. The project aims to stabilise and enhance the productive capacity of the local ecosystem, the agricultural, and livelihood base of the project villages through- undertaking soil and water conservation measures on a watershed basis, promoting sustainable agriculture practice, agricultural diversifications as well as facilitating market linages, improving the irrigation potential and coverage in project villages. The project with WOTR will impact 40000+ rural lives across 15 villages in three years. We ensure that all activities, whether to be implemented internally or through a partner organization, take into consideration the environmental impact as well as looks at opportunities where the activities can positively contribute to the vision of creating sustainable ecosystems. Honeywell’s partnership with Swades foundation to create model villages focusing on access to safe drinking water, sanitation, economic development, education and upskilling is that perfect example of ‘social commitment to our communities where we work’.?This project encompasses a range of activities such as drip irrigation, safe drinking water schemes, clean energy through solar street lighting, and the creation of toilets and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the underprivileged. The project kickstarted in FY 2021-22 in 4 blocks of Rural Maharashtra in Raigad and Nashik districts and till date impacted more than 30000 rural lives.?

It goes without saying that tree planting is the need of the hour and an absolute necessity now given how overall climate change has been increasing exponentially across the world. According to the Hindu newspaper, India clocked in the second highest rate of deforestation among countries worldwide between 1990 and 2020. Honeywell’s flagship intervention "Plant the Future" Campaign, in partnership with Give Me Trees, seeks to nurture 10 lakh saplings across 10 states by 2032. This campaign is aligned with the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and aims to establish biodiversity parks, create urban micro forests, and promote crop diversification. By supporting reforestation, we envision in lending a helping hand to dwindling resources that are fast depleting in the race for economic growth.

To summarise, Honeywell is aggressively striving toward creating a larger environment and social impact through these initiatives and on this special day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the employees, stakeholders, and partners who actively participate in our sustainability endeavours. Together, we will continue to forge a path towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow for generations to come.