Cairn Oil & Gas Expands Green Cover to 4,000 Acres, Cuts Emissions by 312,000 Tonnes

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Cairn Oil & Gas, a part of the Vedanta Group and India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. Emphasising this year’s global theme of 'Ending Plastic Pollution,' the company highlighted its sustainability milestones, including a 40 increase in greenbelt development and significant reductions in carbon and plastic footprints across its operations.

Cairn has now developed approximately 4,000 acres of green cover across its operational locations in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and the Northeast. This includes the plantation of 760,000 trees, including mangroves, as part of its broader mission to plant two million trees by 2030. Notably, its wetland restoration work in Andhra Pradesh has conserved 86 acres of mangroves, home to several endangered species. Along the Gujarat coast, it has developed 700 acres of forest cover, while in Rajasthan’s Barmer region, it has planted 350,000 trees in the past two years. Cairn is also taking active steps to revive the native Khejari tree in the Thar Desert ecosystem.

The firm said in its statement that, in terms of emissions reduction, Cairn has cut approximately 312,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually over the past five years, an environmental impact equivalent to saving over 16 million trees. The company also reported a 32 percent increase in energy conservation year-over-year, amounting to a cumulative savings of 1.32 million gigajoules. Its flare gas reduction initiatives have resulted in a 57 percent decrease in potential gas flaring.

As per the firm's statement, Cairn became the first Indian oil and gas company to join the UN Environment Programme’s Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, reinforcing its commitment to methane emission transparency and reduction. The company plans to source up to 70 MW of renewable energy by 2030, with a 25 MW Power Delivery Agreement beginning in FY26.

For the past three years, all major Cairn facilities have operated without single-use plastic, aligning with the World Environment Day 2025 focus. Further, Cairn has maintained its status as a net water positive entity, recycling over 97 percent of produced water through reinjection and achieving a Net Positive Water Impact Index (NPWI) of 1.15.

As Cairn Oil & Gas continues to fuel India’s energy ambitions, it is also solidifying its position as a leader in Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) by aligning its roadmap with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From biodiversity to renewable energy, the company’s efforts mark a decisive move toward a sustainable and self-reliant energy future for India.