The Tata Group has always striven to be responsible and sensitive on ecological and environmental matters. We do this by protecting, conserving and restoring our natural resources, often far beyond what is mandated by government and other institutional policies.

The Tata Group is committed to complying in full measure with all regulations regarding the preservation of the environment around its operations. By constantly upgrading the technologies we use and by applying the best of sustainable processes and practices, we endeavour to give environmental issues the priority they deserve.

We are dedicated to constantly improving our performance on the prevention of pollution, the proper use of natural resources and the minimisation of any hazardous impact stemming from the production, development, use and disposal of any of our products and services.

Towards this end, the Group continuously trains its employees and creates awareness among its suppliers, contractors, customers, stakeholders, and the community at large through a process of participatory dialogue and collaboration.

The Tatas have what is known as a 'Group environment network' to guide its companies and organisations on environmental issues. The objectives of this network are three-fold:

• To develop a common approach on the environment so that Group companies can champion the cause of sustainable growth and enhance the image of the Tata brand.
  
• To integrate environmental parameters in the Tata Business Excellence Model and the Tata code of conduct.
  
• To enhance awareness and to train Group environmentalists through workshops and share their experiences through case studies and exchanges.

The Tata approach to environmental management operates makes it mandatory for Group companies to do the following:

• Have a vision and mission statement that explicitly states its policy on environmental management.
  
• Define a corporate environment policy and communicate to all employees.
  
• Set up environmental management systems and programmes at the organisational level and annually budget for environmental improvement.
  
• Train its workforce on environmental issues and assign management representatives and facilitators to the task of monitoring environmental systems.
  
• Regularly scrutinise resource consumption and the quality of air, water and land.
  
• Set quantitative objectives and targets for continuous improvement (preferably beyond legal compliance).
  
• Review environmental performance at different levels in the management hierarchy.
  
• Establish a convention for conducting impact-assessment surveys and periodic audits.
  
• Publish annual environmental performance in annual reports.
  
• Encourage applications and attainment of eco-labels and accreditations such as ISO 14000/01.
  
• This is to be followed by lifecycle assessments and eco-labelling for product stewardship throughout the supply chain.