Our focus is on making this framework more resilient and empowered to meet the various sustainability challenges facing the country.
Robust ESG governance structure
At APSEZ, we ensure proper oversight of our sustainability agenda and ESG agenda through a well-defined governance structure. Our governance structure, from the Board down to the strategic business units (SBUs) level, is designed to uphold the highest standards of ESG governance across the organisation.
Board Level
Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC) oversees the implementation of our ESG strategy, and ensures that our sustainability standards and climate-related risks and opportunities are stringently aligned with our business. It also monitors and oversees progress on our sustainability goals, including climate-related goals and targets.
Site Level
Departmental heads facilitate the implementation of our sustainability strategy within their respective functions, through the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC).
Cross-Functional Sustainability Leadership Committee (SLC)
SLC is led by our CEO and entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the operationalisation of sustainability as part of our business strategy
In Steering its Responsibility Effectively, Our Board is Supported by Various Committees
The CRC oversees the implementation of our ESG strategy and policies, besides managing the transition risks faced by the company in its sustainable growth journey.
Strategic ESG oversight
ESG priorities, goals and targets have been strategically imbued across the organisation, at both the corporate and business unit levels.
How it Works
Business functions implement the ESG agenda, while tracking and monitoring the performance across the ESG metrics.
ESG team develops our ESG agenda and aids the business functions in its execution.
Board Oversight
- Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC)
- Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (CSRC)
- Stakeholders Relationship Committee (SRC)
- Risk Management Committee (RMC)
Quarterly meetings Half yearly meetings (CSR)
Management Oversight
- Sustainability Leadership Committee (SLC)
- Corporate Level
Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) – site level
Working Group
Corporate ESG Team
Develops the Company’s ESG Agenda and supports business functions in driving the implementation.
Site ESG team
Responsible for the tracking and monitoring performance of ESG agenda
Business Functions
Responsible for the implementation and execution of ESG agenda
The management approach
In line with the Company’s commitment to ESG, the APSEZ management has put in place several well-defined policies and guidelines, benchmarked to global standards. Our ESG policies are approved by the Board. They guide the company in identifying, managing, and mitigating ESG risks and impacts, ensuring sustainable business operations.
Policies & Guidelines
Environmental Policy
Environmental & climate objectives and targets
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Energy & Emission Policy
Energy and carbon mitigation strategies
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Biodiversity Policy
Biodiversity, land use and no net deforestation
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Water Stewardship Policy
Fresh water footprint, wastewater treatment
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Improve lives through Integrated & Sustainable Development
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Occupational Health & Safety Policy
Safe and healthy workplace; prevent occupational illness
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Human Rights Policy
Prevention of child labour & forced labour, employee workplace harassment and discrimination
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Related Party Transaction Policy
Approval, disclosure and reporting requirements for related party transactions
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Dividend Distribution & Shareholder Return Policy
Dividend payout
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Nomination & Remuneration Policy
Qualification and remuneration of directors and senior management
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Code for Fair Disclosure of UPSI
Procedures for fair disclosure of unpublished price sensitive information
Stakeholder Groups
Board Committee
Stakeholder Groups
Employees
Governments
Investors
Suppliers
Communities
Directors
Customers
Shareholders
Board Committee
Corporate Responsibility Committee
Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee
Risk Management Committee
Audit Committee
Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
Nomination & Remuneration Committee
Robust Environmental Policy
APSEZ has a company level Environmental Policy to guide its environment protection actions and agenda.
- The policy lists down our commitments related to operations, logistics, management with suppliers, customers and joint ventures
- It is applicable to all service operations & maintenance business facilities, corporate processes, services, distribution and logistics, management of waste facilities, suppliers, service providers, contractors, joint venture partners, due diligence procedures, mergers, and acquisitions
Environment Action Plan
Launched in 2018, our Environment Action Plan is focussed on guiding our efforts towards reducing the company’s environmental footprint. It seeks to catalyse positive changes in the shipping sector through a 2-pronged approach:
- Active advocacy
- Influencing our value chain partners to be more responsible
It is our aim to report the plan’s implementation progress on an annual basis, in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability. In view of the likelihood of any non-compliance attracting stringent regulatory actions, we believe in the importance of early action to ensure effective management of impacts. This, we believe, will ensure a more healthy competitive business environment.
Our proactive approach to environmental management helps us in:
- Enhancing our operational efficiencies
- Mitigating risks to our business and impacts to nature
- Forging better relationship with communities and other stakeholders
We pursue the highest corporate governance standards and practices for better management of emissions, energy use, water consumption and biodiversity conservation.
ESG Implementation System
To ensure effective implementation of our ESG policies across all units, including joint ventures, partners, customers, and suppliers, we have in place an Integrated Management System. The system is aligned with the legal requirements and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
All our operating ports and 2 JVs -AICTPL and ACMTPL
Certified with IMS Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), Environment Management System (ISO 14001:2015) and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018), Energy Management System (ISO 50001:2018)
3 Ports
ISO 28000:2017 certified (Security Management System for Supply Chain)
3 Logistic sites (Kishangarh, Patli, Mallur)
Certified with IMS, comprising Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), Environment Management System (ISO 14001:2015) and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018).
Dredging company SSIDL and harbouring company TAHSL
Certified with IMS
All operating agri-logistics sites
Certified with Food Safety Management Systems (ISO 22000:2018).
ISO 27001:2013 has been implemented across the company to ensure compliance with our information security policy. All our business and department heads are responsible for adherence to it. Overall, 61% of our operational ports are certified with ISO 27001:2013 (Information security management).
Training & Motivation to Ensure ESG Implementation
ESG implementation at APSEZ is further ensured through various trainingṣ programmes:
- All employees and third parties, including sub-contractors, consultants and vendors, are given regular training on information security, to ensure adherence to audit, legal, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements
- Extensive training programmes and deployment of cross-functional teams ensures sharing of knowledge and best practices across the organisation
We also follow a rewards and recognition system to motivate our employees towards the adoption of ESG practices and programmes. This includes variable pay components for employees, aligning their performance and contributions with their compensation, and encouraging them to work towards ESG excellence in line with the organisational goals.
Measuring ESG Progress with Gensuite
Designed to improve the safety culture and performance at the company's ports and logistics sites, Gensuite is a platform that enables our employees to voice safety concerns. It streamlines the monitoring, measuring and reporting process with respect to sustainability information. This helps ensure effective communication and transparency across the organisation.
It facilitates decentralised data input, enabling designated individuals to regularly evaluate ESG-related performance and progress.
The process is overseen by both the site and corporate ESG teams.
The teams submit monthly progress reports on ESG metrics to the senior management.
They give quarterly reports to the Board and external stakeholders.
Regular Audits & Assurance
At APSEZ, regular audit and assurance exercises are conducted to ensure compliance of our sustainable operations with the applicable laws and regulations.
Annual environmental audits by IR Class
Half-yearly sustainability assurance by TUV India Private Limited
Half-yearly internal audits
Performance evaluation is done basis the ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system standards and other management standards.
ESMS Deployment
The Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) helps in integration of environmental and social standards into the core operations of a business. It also aids in anticipating risks, and addressing stakeholder concerns. Our environmental and social management frameworks and plans are aligned with IFC Performance Standards. We ensure regular monitoring and grading on ESG performance of our suppliers and vendors. Our customers are required to follow the Berthing Guidelines and comply with the environmental protection guidelines.
Corrective & Preventive Measures
We follow a robust system of corrective and preventive actions. The system is in line with our Integrated Management System (IMS), which complies with ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 9001:2015 standards across all our facilities.
Multiple channels have been deployed at APSEZ for reporting grievances. These include:
- 24x7 mechanism on our website
- Dedicated telephone numbers
- Drop boxes placed at prominent locations
Grievances can be reported by the employees directly to the supervisors, seniors, and department heads across our sites.
We also have a well-defined system for community grievance reporting. Such grievances are recorded, reviewed, escalated, and addressed within a specified timeframe.
Diligent Compliance Management
Compliance management is diligently ensured at APSEZ through a system of monitoring and adherence to all legal and statutory obligations. Our IT-enabled ‘Legatrix’ system provides an elaborate framework, serving as a comprehensive resource library for compliance management. Legatrix regularly reviews both internal and external compliance requirements and sends notifications before deadlines to prevent deviations and potential mishaps.
Environmental Compliance
- Necessary reports and documents are regularly submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities, such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), and the State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA).
- These reports include:
- Half-yearly compliance report on Environment & Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance
- Annual Environment Statement (Form V)
- The reports are also accessible on the company's website
- All the environmental clearances secured by the company are also transparently shared on the website
- Our website also showcases 6-monthly environment compliance clearance reports
We are implementing an Integrated Grievance Management System to help aggrieved individuals to view the status of their grievances, track their resolution, and provide feedback. The system is designed to promote organisation-wide transparency.
The Company did not pay any Environmental Compensation during FY 2024-25
FY 2020–21  |
FY 2021–22 |
FY 2022–23 |
FY 2023–24 |
FY 2024–25 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Location
|
All APSEZ operation | ||||
No. of Non-Compliance Breaches |
Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
 Monetary
Fines |
Nil | ||||
2025 ESG Targets and Performance
At APSEZ, we are continually working towards the ESG goals and targets we have set for 2025. These include the goals aimed at carbon neutrality. Our reporting boundary covers ports, logistics, dredging, and other businesses.
We strive to continuously improve our ESG performance, and also regularly review our ESG strategies, targets and initiatives to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.
| Environmental | Contribution to UNSDGs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Natural
Capital |
|
|||||
| Indicator | FY 2024-25 Target |
Actual achievement by FY 2024-25 |
2025 Target |
|||
| Renewable share in total electricity | 15% | 16% | 100% | |||
| Energy intensity reduction | 50% | 53% | 50% | |||
| Water consumption intensity reduction | 60% | 62% | 60% | |||
| Water withdrawal from non-shared resources | 65% | 67% | 80% | |||
| Waste intensity reduction | 30% | 32% | 30% | |||
| Zero waste to landfill certification | 12 ports | 12 ports | 12 ports | |||
| Mangrove afforestation | 4,240 Ha | 4,240 Ha | 5,000 Ha | |||
| Terrestrial plantation | 1,200 Ha | 1,267 Ha | 1,200 Ha | |||
| Social | Contribution to UNSDGs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Human
Capital Social
& Relationship Capital |
 |
|||||
| Indicator | FY 2024-25 Target |
Actual achievement by FY 2024-25 |
2025 Target |
|||
| Voluntary attrition | 6% | 11% | < 4% | |||
| Employee satisfaction | 4.2 | 4 | 4.5/5 | |||
| Workforce training (days) | 5 | 10 | 5 days | |||
| Supplier satisfaction | 4.25 | 4.2 | 4.75/5 | |||
| Customer satisfaction | 4.25 | 4.3 | 4.75/5 | |||
| Safety (fatalities) | 0 | 6 | Zero Incidents | |||
Our guiding focus
- APSEZ participated in CDP annual disclosures for climate change and water security in 2024
- In CDP Disclosure 2024, APSEZ attained leadership band in both climate change and water security
- APSEZ is participating in DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment and ranked among the top 10 companies in its industry
- APSEZ is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative – Business ambition for 1.5 degree Celsius
- APSEZ is in the process of setting the target and submitting it for validation
- APSEZ aligns its ESG activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- APSEZ signed up for India Business & Biodiversity Initiative
- APSEZ submitted its first progress report in 2020
- APSEZ is a member of the Climate Ambition Alliance, committed to net zero emissions by 2040
- APSEZ is a supporter of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures
- The Integrated Annual Report FY 2024-25 is aligned to TCFD recommendations
- APSEZ will publish its TCFD report in 1H FY 2024-25
- APSEZ is a member of International Union for Biodiversity Conservation
- APSEZ is enhancing awareness among employees across its sites through IUCN - Leaders for Nature
- APSEZ is a member of United Nations Global Compact and is committed to conducting all activities in alignment with the 10 Guiding Principles
- APSEZ submitted its communication on progress in FY 2023-24
- APSEZ is endorsing United Nations CEO Water Mandate
- APSEZ submitted its Communication on Progress in FY 2023-24
- APSEZ has developed the Environmental and Social Management System in alignment with IFC’s eight performance standards
- APSEZ has developed site-specific management plans, which have been implemented across sites
- APSEZ aligns its ESG reporting framework with GRI standards
- APSEZ publishes its annual disclosure as per the IIRC framework
National Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct
- APSEZ submits the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report (BRSR) as part of the Integrated Annual Report
