Established in April 1994, IndusInd Bank Limited operates from its headquarters in Mumbai, India. While its core banking activities have a minimal direct environmental footprint in terms of emissions, the bank has proactively implemented several award-winning sustainability initiatives. One of its most notable projects is the deployment of solar-powered ATMs. Beyond basic green practices, IndusInd Bank calculates its carbon intensity and tracks greenhouse gas emissions, using carbon-dioxide equivalent data from its Scope 1 and Scope 2 activities. By leveraging renewable energy and energy-efficient technology, the bank has successfully reduced its per capita emissions to 2.26 metric tons of CO2e in the financial year 2013-14.
Green IT and Energy Efficiency
IndusInd Bank has taken significant steps to integrate sustainability into its operations. Power management policies implemented across 10,739 desktops and laptops have reduced power consumption by 27.87 kWh per machine per annum, leading to cost savings of approximately INR 25.15 lakhs and a reduction of 273 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The bank has virtualized 405 servers onto 47 physical servers, saving INR 1,248 lakhs in capital expenditure and INR 99.15 lakhs annually in electricity costs. Adopting thin computing devices has further resulted in energy savings of 300 kWh per year per user, translating to INR 2,380 in annual power cost savings per user. The implementation of paperless fax servers has prevented the printing of approximately 90,000 sheets of paper annually.
Sustainable Procurement and Energy Conservation
IndusInd Bank prioritizes sustainability in its procurement practices by choosing suppliers that provide energy-efficient products and use recycled materials. The bank has transitioned to A4 paper made from bagasse instead of wood pulp and prints visiting cards on recycled paper. To improve energy efficiency, LED signage has been installed in high-visibility branches where lights remain on for extended periods. In the Consumer Finance Division, the use of handheld terminals for loan collection has significantly reduced the need for printed receipts.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
The bank’s Solar ATMs project is a landmark achievement in its sustainability journey. With 100 solar-powered ATMs in operation, the initiative has generated 1,23,241 units of energy, resulting in commercial electricity savings of INR 7.60 lakhs and diesel generator power savings of INR 14.78 lakhs. These ATMs have collectively mitigated 146.66 metric tons of carbon emissions.
In collaboration with the Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA), the bank has also established a Solar-Windmill Hybrid project at the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The hybrid unit, capable of generating 1 kW of electricity through solar panels and a micro-turbine, stores energy in batteries and converts it via an inverter to power essential appliances at the reserve’s community center. This center serves as a self-sufficient hub for sustainable development in the region, independent of government electricity supply.
Waste Management and Recycling Initiatives
IndusInd Bank actively promotes waste reduction and recycling through its “WOW” (Wealth Out of Waste) program, which collects waste paper from branches and employees. Conducted in partnership with ITC-PSPD Ltd and Ramky Reclamation and Recycling Ltd, the initiative raises awareness about source segregation, recycling, and minimizing landfill waste. Waste paper collected includes carbon boxes, shredded documents, old newspapers, magazines, office records, and general dry paper waste.
The bank has also launched an E-Waste Collection Program across all its regional zones, encouraging branches to collect and responsibly dispose of electronic waste, including obsolete ATMs, IT equipment, and electronic scrap. Partnering with PCB-certified recyclers, the bank ensures proper recycling or donation of e-waste to underprivileged communities and non-profit organizations. Up to the financial year 2013-14, the bank had collected 21,455 kilograms of e-waste.
Supporting Broader Sustainability Efforts
Beyond internal initiatives, IndusInd Bank extends its commitment to sustainable development through projects in sustainable farming, sanitation, biogas, and solar energy. These initiatives align with the bank’s long-term vision of environmental responsibility and community well-being.
Employee Engagement in Sustainability
To embed sustainability into its corporate culture, IndusInd Bank actively involves employees in green initiatives. Through its Green Champion (GC) Program, which has been running since 2009, employee volunteers lead sustainability efforts within their respective branches and offices. Each Green Champion is required to execute at least two sustainability activities per year, which may include tree planting, e-waste collection drives, energy conservation campaigns, and recycling initiatives.
Building on the success of the Green Champion Program, the bank introduced the Green Commandos initiative to allow broader employee participation in CSR activities. Green Commandos work alongside Green Champions to support bank-led sustainability programs, reinforcing IndusInd Bank’s dedication to environmental consciousness across its workforce.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
IndusInd Bank’s holistic approach to sustainability demonstrates that financial institutions can play a pivotal role in environmental conservation. Through renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, sustainable procurement, and employee-led green initiatives, the bank continues to minimize its ecological footprint while fostering long-term environmental stewardship. As it moves forward, IndusInd Bank remains committed to integrating sustainability into its business operations and driving positive change within the banking sector and beyond.
