The Adani Group, a leader in industrial development, has made impressive advances toward sustainability. Through Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) and its subsidiaries—Adani New Industries (ANIL), Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ), and Ambuja Cements—the group has partnered with the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative. This powerful alliance has birthed the Adani Mundra Cluster, set to fuel economic growth, generate jobs, and propel decarbonisation efforts forward. Together, the Adani Group is shaping a greener future while driving prosperity.

A Collaborative Effort Towards a Sustainable Future

With an ambitious vision, the Adani Mundra Cluster aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, marking a pivotal milestone in the global pursuit of a sustainable future. By participating in the WEF’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, the companies within the Adani Mundra Cluster will collaborate with global industry peers, think-tanks, policymakers, and experts to pioneer innovative decarbonisation strategies. This platform will enable them to share their extensive expertise in renewable energy and green hydrogen ecosystems, significantly contributing to the global agenda on sustainable industrial development.

Karan Adani, MD –Adani Ports & SEZ articulates the transformative potential of joining the World Economic Forum’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, emphasising the opportunity for signatories to collaborate with global industry peers, think-tanks, policymakers, and experts to pioneer innovative decarbonisation strategies. By leveraging its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability, the cluster is well-positioned to become a global leader in green energy.

“By joining the World Economic Forum’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, the signatories will have the opportunity to collaborate with global industry peers, think-tanks, policymakers, and experts to pioneer innovative approaches towards decarbonisation,” he said.

Mr Adani also expressed the ambitious vision for the Adani Mundra Cluster to evolve into an integrated green hydrogen manufacturing hub. “The Adani Mundra Cluster aspires to become an integrated green hydrogen manufacturing hub, helping to decarbonise the hard-to-abate sectors of the Indian economy and reduce the country’s dependency on energy imports,” he added.

WEF: The Catalyst

The World Economic Forum has been instrumental in facilitating collaboration among key stakeholders within the cluster, elevating its strategy to drive economic growth, employment, and decarbonisation through strategic meetings and in-country workshops. With the backing of Accenture and EPRI, this initiative aspires to fully leverage the economic, employment, and energy potential of industrial clusters.

The Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative is a global endeavor to accelerate the energy transition and promote sustainable development. By uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and experts, the initiative seeks to create a collaborative environment where innovative solutions can be developed and implemented. The Adani Mundra Cluster’s involvement in this initiative marks a significant milestone, highligting its commitment to sustainability and leadership in the green energy transition.

“We are delighted to welcome the Adani Mundra Cluster to our international community of 23 industrial clusters, as one of the first two clusters in India,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. “By leveraging Gujarat’s substantial renewable energy capacity, the cluster is poised to become one of the leading green hydrogen hubs in South Asia. Within the Transitioning Industrial Clusters community, Adani Mundra can exchange knowledge with fellow clusters and advance the energy transition.”

The Port Pioneer

Since its establishment in 1993, Mundra has evolved into India’s largest port and a thriving industrial hub, hosting a diverse array of companies, from advanced solar module and wind turbine manufacturers to cement producers. Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) is committed to powering all port operations with renewable electricity by 2025 and aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040. The transformation of Mundra into a port-led industrial cluster has been remarkable, attracting businesses from various sectors due to its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure. This commitment to renewable energy not only benefits the environment but also enhances the port’s competitiveness and attractiveness to businesses seeking sustainable solutions.

APSEZ has invested INR 1,291 crore over the past two fiscal years, replacing diesel-powered transfer vehicles with 338 battery-powered counterparts and electrifying equipment such as cranes and ITVs (Internal Transportation Vehicles). The company has also assessed climate vulnerability and implemented an internal carbon pricing mechanism to internalise production costs and select the best mitigation measures. Four rating agencies namely Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), S&P, Sustainalytics, and Moody’s—have already given strong ESG ratings, with APSEZ securing the Leadership band in the CDP assessment for FY 2023, ranking first in the CDP initiative.

Ports are important nodes in the fossil fuel supply chain, serving as entry and exit points for commodities. They will continue to play a pivotal role in the future supply of low-carbon fuels like green hydrogen.

APSEZ’s sustainable goals include achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040, validated by SBTi for near and long-term targets, no net deforestation by 2050, and 100% renewable electricity by FY 2025. The company also aims for zero waste to landfill certification by FY 2025 and carbon neutrality by FY 2025.Additionally, APSEZ has completed 4,240 hectares of mangrove afforestation, further demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Cementing a Green Legacy

Ambuja Cements, one of India’s leading cement companies and a member of the diversified Adani Group, is also playing a crucial role in the Adani Mundra Cluster. This facility aspires to be the world's lowest-emission-intensity cement production site, aligning with Ambuja's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This initiative underscores the company's unwavering commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

The Mundra unit will feature pioneering innovations such as Bulk Cement Transportation and energy-efficient kilns designed to minimise fuel consumption. Additionally, a waste heat recovery system will be installed to capture and convert waste heat into electricity, thereby reducing dependence on external power sources.

Given the cement industry's notorious carbon emissions, Ambuja Cements is proactively addressing this challenge by investing in advanced technologies and adopting innovative practices. The Mundra unit is a cornerstone of this strategy, exemplifying the company's dedication to sustainability and its vision for a greener future.

Ambuja Cements integrates social and environmental considerations seamlessly into its operations. The company has undertaken various initiatives, including water conservation projects, tree plantation drives, and a commitment to becoming water positive. Notably, 19.1% of the energy used is renewable, and the company has achieved a plastic-negative status with a clinker factor of 64.3%. Furthermore, Ambuja has planted 1.4 million trees and implemented a comprehensive water stewardship policy to ensure compliance with water-related regulations. This policy includes effective management plans, optimised water resource usage, data collection, and wastewater management and treatment.

By emphasising these figures and facts, Ambuja Cements not only sets new industry standards but also showcases its strategic emphasis on sustainability and its holistic approach to environment.

Innovating ‘New’ Industries

Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) is seizing the opportunity presented by the rising demand for green hydrogen by creating a fully integrated green hydrogen ecosystem.Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) is capitalising on the growing demand for green hydrogen by establishing a fully integrated green hydrogen ecosystem. This initiative aims to produce low-cost green hydrogen on a large scale and manufacture downstream products like green ammonia, methanol, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). ANIL's ambitious goal is to reduce green hydrogen costs to as low as USD 1 per kilogram by 2030. To achieve this, ANIL plans to develop an integrated supply chain with in-house manufacturing of key components, including solar modules, wind turbines, and electrolysers. Strategically located at Mundra, the ANIL ecosystem benefits from excellent connectivity for efficient distribution of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Green hydrogen and its derivatives are set to play a crucial role in achieving Net Zero emissions for port operations and cement manufacturing. For instance, green methanol can replace fossil fuels in the maritime industry, offering a viable decarbonisation pathway for the port sector’s Scope 3 emissions. Additionally, the cluster plans to include a Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) unit at the new Ambuja Cement facility. The captured carbon can be converted into methanol using green hydrogen and further into PVC, providing long-term carbon sequestration in building materials.

ANIL is on a mission to become the world’s largest fully integrated green hydrogen player. The company is involved in the entire value chain, from manufacturing renewable energy equipment such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electrolysers, to large-scale production of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The Adani Mundra Cluster is set to become one of the world’s largest integrated green hydrogen hubs, with a planned capacity of 1 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030, expanding up to 3 MMTPA by 2040.

ANIL aspires to establish a sustainable ecosystem. This encompasses the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, the generation of green hydrogen through electrolysis, and the production of derivatives such as ammonia. Utilising wind and solar energy for electrolysis, ANIL aims to integrate these elements seamlessly, thereby reducing its carbon footprint.

Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) from Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) is developing end-to-end solutions to produce globally competitive green hydrogen and its associated sustainable derivatives. The first project of ANIL of 1 MMTPA green hydrogen is being implemented in phases in Gujarat. The initial phase is expected to start production by FY2027. Depending on market conditions, ANIL aims to increase capacity to up to 3 MMTPA of green hydrogen in the next 10 years, with an investment of about USD 50 billion

The Adani Mundra Cluster exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of economic growth and environmental responsibility. This initiative not only fosters economic growth and job creation but also plays a crucial role in global climate change mitigation efforts, embodying the Adani Group's vision of Growth with Goodness.