When a business empire is powered by sunlight, forest, and ingenuity, that’s not growth—it’s sustainable revolution.
Why Anand Mahindra’s Sustainability Vision Sounds Different
India is the third-largest carbon emitter in the world, adding nearly 3.9 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2024. In this scenario, the majority of business leaders are old-school and maintain business as usual. But not Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra. He has done something different—placing sustainability at the center of strategy.
The Mahindra Group, with a workforce of more than 260,000 in 100+ countries, has made climate action its niche. Rather than viewing green projects as charity, Mahindra has converted them into serious business models: solar power, electric vehicles, large-scale reforestation, and even recycling of vehicles.
A ₹40,000 Crore Promise That Could Change India’s Energy Story
In February 2025, at the Invest Karnataka Summit, Anand Mahindra committed ₹40,000 crore of investment in the state. Out of this, a staggering ₹35,000 crore is being funneled into renewable energy.
- The target is 5 GW of solar and hybrid capacity, which could power nearly 15 million homes.
- The projects are expected to cut down 8–10 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to removing 2 million cars from the road.
- They will also create 6,000–8,000 new jobs in the green sector.
The remaining ₹5,000 crore is being invested in eco-tourism at Hampi and Gokarna, net-zero homes in Bengaluru, and eco-friendly aerospace ventures.
A Fresh Push With ₹1,800 Crore for Solar Expansion
In August 2025, Mahindra’s clean energy division, Mahindra Susten, had collectively raised ₹1,800 crore in a rights issue. This will be utilized to expand its solar business from the current 1.5 GW capacity to 5 GW.
To put it into context, India’s national goal is 500 GW of renewable capacity by the year 2030. Mahindra’s 5 GW cannot be seen as a big contribution when stacked against the national goal, but it’s 1% of the entire target by one corporate entity, which is a big percentage.
Trees, Recycling, and Carbon-Neutral Factories: Mahindra’s Green Legacy So Far
Mahindra isn’t just betting on the future—it has already built a track record in sustainability. According to the Mahindra Sustainability Report 2025:
- 20+ million trees have been planted under the Hariyali afforestation initiative since 2007.
- The Igatpuri and Zaheerabad plants are now zero-waste-to-landfill.
- CERO Recycling, introduced in 2020, has already recycled more than 50,000 end-of-life vehicles.
- Mahindra Electric vehicles have saved a total of 120,000 tonnes of CO₂.
With operations, the Group saves and recycles 22% water every year.
These statistics show that Mahindra’s sustainability agenda is not new—it has been taking place step by step for nearly two decades.
Standing Beside Global Climate Leaders Like Tesla and Ørsted
Globally, Tesla (USA) has gained fame for leading the charge in electric vehicles and Ørsted (Denmark) for leading the charge in offshore wind. Mahindra stands alone in that all these areas—solar energy, EVs, recycling, tree planting, and green homes—are under one roof.
This puts the Mahindra Group as being one of the world’s most diversified green businesses, not just in India.
What Anand Mahindra Says About Sustainability
At the World Economic Forum, Anand Mahindra captured his philosophy in one sentence:
“Sustainability is not a cost, it is the next frontier of competitiveness.”
It’s a reminder that climate action is not just moral—it’s profitable. That idea has become the foundation of his Group’s strategy.
The Challenges That Remain for India
All these achievements notwithstanding, there is much yet for India to achieve:
- India’s over 70% power is still coal-based.
- Renewables are highly capital- and space-intensive, typically behind-the-scenes development.
- The EV industry lacks charging facilities and recycling facilities for batteries.
Mahindra’s initiative does not resolve all of these independently, but it provides a model for corporate leadership that others could follow.
A Timeline of Mahindra’s Green Journey
- 2007 → Hariyali afforestation drive begins.
- 2016 → Igatpuri becomes India’s first carbon-neutral plant.
- 2018 → Mahindra pledges carbon neutrality by 2040.
- 2020 → Launch of CERO Vehicle Recycling.
- 2025 → Announcement of ₹40,000 crore renewable investment + ₹1,800 crore solar expansion.
The Road Ahead: Hydrogen, EVs, and Global Collaborations
Mahindra’s roadmap doesn’t stop here. The Group is exploring green hydrogen projects, planning to expand electric mobility into rural India, and looking at international partnerships with renewable technology leaders. Its tree-planting campaigns are also expected to grow beyond Indian borders.
Why Anand Mahindra’s Green Revolution Matters
From a 40,000 crore green mega-plan to 20 million trees, from zero-carbon plants to EVs saving 120,000 tonnes of CO₂, Anand Mahindra has presented one of the strongest arguments for sustainable industrial progress in India.
The word is out: sustainability is not a choice—it’s the future of competitiveness and survival. Mahindra’s initiative is proof that India’s growth narrative can be driven not just by infrastructure and GDP, but also by responsibility, resilience, and respect for the world.
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Author: Anjali Pandey
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