Corporate Social Responsibility has become an integral part of business practice. The commitment of organisations to contribute to society is helping with the uplifting of society as well as their reputation as a contributor. A CSR strategy is very crucial for companies as they take ownership and integrate social, environmental, education, among other interests, to bring about a positive change in the world.
Embassy Services Private Limited (ESPL) is a multi-faceted company delivering end-to-end integrated facility management (IFM) services to over 150 clients, covering 70+ million sq. ft. of space, across 12 States of India. Embassy Services’ goal is to ensure the best facility services to its clients with a clear purpose of making small yet notable differences to the society at large; meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. For us, the three main pillars: Economy, Environment and Society are relentlessly brought in our approach. They are instrumental in making differences that are effective to the environment and society through our various CSR campaigns.
In our pledge to save the environment, we produced green energy of up to 155.435 million KWH in FY 19-20, 41 per cent of our total consumption. The green energy we produced is equal to removing 1,28,078 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to saving energy to light 162 Indian villages for one year. It is also at par with taking 27,193 cars off the road for a year and the burning of 47,626 kl diesel
Energy and Waste Management
Integrated Facility Management (IFM) is no more a sector of just managing and upkeeping the facilities. It is all about bringing experience, engagement and efficiency in all aspects of services. It is also a sector which works towards creating a greener, safer and healthier work atmosphere which does contribute to productivity but as well as help in building a motivated workforce. Nowadays, IFM leaders are involved from the very initial stage of designing and planning of buildings so that the infrastructure can be managed efficiently after completion, making them more functional. Corporates wish to perform sustainably because of their sense of responsibility towards functional and environmental impacts caused by them. They are also accountable towards society to implement simple, cost-effective yet smart methods for optimising all types of resource consumption for their everyday work life without compromising on quality.
Increasing human activities have resulted in a major impact on the planet, and global warming is one of the biggest concerns mankind is currently facing. Higher concentrations of CO2 have had an effect on global climate and all aspects of life. Hence, it is critical to cut down carbon emissions. In our pledge to save the environment, we produced green energy of up to 155.435 million KWH in FY 19-20, 41 per cent of our total consumption. The green energy we produced is equal to removing 1,28,078 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to saving energy to light 162 Indian villages for one year. It is also at par with taking 27,193 cars off the road for a year and the burning of 47,626 kl diesel. Additionally, the carbon that has been seized in this process is equal to the planting of 21, 17,797 tree seedlings for ten years. We also recycle 1,541,940 KL of water per year. By recycling and effectively using this amount of water, we avoid the stress on water consumption from various sources. The recycled water is equivalent to supply water for 321 villages for a period of one year. Embassy Parks also produce 198 ton of manure out of OWC and vermicomposting which can support 50 acres of farming land and produce 350 tons of paddy.
Gift a Smile
Energise – our community engagement programme for office parks organises “Gift a Smile”, a Christmas carnival and fundraiser. This initiative focuses on education. The campaign promotes individuals to purchase gifts that would help spread smiles to over 8000 kids from 22 schools across the country while spreading joy in their lives.
We are working towards enhancing their sustainable approach which was achieved by Upcycled Christmas trees made of 100 per cent found material – industrial waste combined with household and automotive waste. Upcycling Christmas trees helps us look at unwanted material differently and contribute towards making the future better by using existing materials.
Freedom from Hunger
This is an annual event held by us where the nation’s Independence Day is commemorated by striving to achieve freedom from hunger among the youth. In collaboration with Akshaya Patra Foundation, children from our CSR-sponsored government schools are brought to the campus for a gala lunch.
Beat the Plastic
This is a year-long initiative held at Embassy Manyata Business Park. It aims at eradicating single-use plastics from the campus, and further, from our daily lives. With a solution-driven approach, the first battle was initiated with the symbolic gifting of metal sippers to all the participants who registered for the campaign.
Education
Underpinning our focus on education, we have envisaged programmes to roll out scholarships, mentoring sessions, tuition fee support, laptops and tablets to meritorious students from rural backgrounds and economically-weak strata.
Taking a step further, we address the lack of staff in schools, with teachers, assistants and volunteers. We endeavour to bridge the language barrier through English proficiency programmes conducted in association with the International Festival of Language & Culture (IFLC), Drishti, and the Institute of Language Management.
Urban Green
While gardening at the workplace is a growing trend across the globe, we at Embassy Services take pride in being one of the first few facility management organisations to pioneer such a service within our portfolio. Over 1000 plots of land have been dedicated for this activity till date across three business parks in the country. Urban Green yields up to 6,000 kgs of vegetables annually; employees who work at the Business Parks can adopt the plot of land to grow their own choice of vegetables which they would nurture over three months. They get the full support of the horticulturists through knowledge as well as materials and equipment. The bonus is that they can take home the produce. This allows them to nurture their own gardens, deepen their understanding and respect for the environment, but it also gives them a healthy choice of consuming organic vegetables, benefiting them in the long run.
Blood Donation Camps
Over the years, through the regular blood donation camps at the Business Parks, we have helped countless lives by collaborating with different blood banks and institutes who then deliver the blood to those in need. Regular camps are held in partnership with various institutes like KIDWAI Institute of Oncology and Rotary Manyata, to name a few.
COVID-19 Relief Initiatives
We were on the ground at key sites providing the Police with PPE Kits, sanitisers, masks, nutrition bars, ration. We also set up hydration stops at the business parks. Along with our partners, we also supported over eight lakh children appearing for the SSLC exams by providing them with sanitisers across 2879 centres across Karnataka.
Pradeep Lala is Managing Director & CEO, Embassy Services Private Limited (ESPL).