HCLTech has launched its Climate Action Grant program in the Americas. The leading global technology company commits US$5 million over five years to aid NGOs in creating replicable, sustainable and scalable projects to tackle climate change.
Previously focused on India, the HCLTech Grant program is expanding to the Americas. This move aims to empower NGOs and amplify their grassroots innovations in climate action.
The program comes with a US$5 million commitment spread over five years. Each year, three NGOs with sustainable and innovative projects will be chosen through a strict screening process. The grants will total US$1 million: one NGO will secure US$500,000 while the remaining US$500,000 will be split between two other organizations.
Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech, commented: “We are deeply committed to our sustainability goals and believe that collective effort is required to combat the challenge of climate change. Through this program, we aim to accelerate innovation in climate projects and build a sustainable planet. Our ambition is to identify organizations that are truly making an impact at the grassroots and help them scale their unique projects.”
NGOs from 10 countries including the US, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Argentina and Colombia are invited to apply. HCLTech will conduct a series of virtual regional roundtables to inform NGOs about the program and aid them in the application process. To ensure unbiased and comprehensive technical advisory, the company has partnered with a leading global consulting firm that will manage every stage of the selection process.
HCLTech is committed to sustainability. It aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and cut its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030. Since FY20, HCLTech has reduced its per capita scope 1 and 2 emissions by 22%. The firm is also a member of the Water Resilience Coalition and has endorsed the CEO Water Mandate. Several organizations such as MSCI, S&P and Sustainalytics have acknowledged HCLTech’s sustainability milestones.
The company’s CSR arm, HCLFoundation, has had a significant impact in India. It has touched over 5.5 million lives, conserved almost 58 billion liters of water and planted more than 1.45 million trees over 66,000 acres. Their investment has totaled US$150 million over 10 years. The HCLTech Grant has been operational since 2016, aiding projects in environment, healthcare and education and disbursing nearly US$16 million to benefit marginalized and rural communities.
Globally, HCLTech has engaged in partnerships with renowned nonprofits such as Feeding America, the European Food Banks Federation, Girl Up, One Tree Planted and the UpLink Innovation Platform of the World Economic Forum.
