NIIF | Driving Responsible Growth Through Sustainable Investments

We enable responsible growth through sustainable investments

NIIF’s ESG vision is to set the benchmark for responsible investing by integrating environmental, social, and governance factors into every decision. We are dedicated to driving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.

Through rigorous governance and a culture of accountability, we strive to make a positive, lasting impact on the communities and enterprises we engage with.

Four Principles Underpin NIIF’s E&S Management System

Establishes the framework for identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks across potential and existing investments.

Ensures regulatory compliance and robust management systems for environmental sustainability. It covers pollution control, resource conservation, biodiversity preservation, protection of natural heritage, and the safe management of hazardous substances and processes.

Focuses on human resources management and human rights, incorporating occupational health and safety, fair working conditions, and equal opportunities. It mandates grievance mechanisms, prohibits child, forced, or bonded labour, and extends these protections across directly employed staff, contractual workers, and third-party personnel. Additionally, supply chain partners are required to adhere to these standards to minimise associated risks.

Addresses social risks and impacts, including involuntary land acquisition, physical and economic displacement of project-affected people (PAPs), and the protection of vulnerable groups such as Scheduled Tribes recognised under national regulations. It also ensures the preservation of cultural and historical resources significant to local communities

IMPACT STORIES

Revolutionising Cold Chain Logistics: DP World’s ‘Move to -15 Degrees’ Campaign

DP World (DPW), a leading global provider of smart logistics solutions, has a strong presence in India through its joint venture with NIIF, which has invested in Hindustan Infralog Private Limited (HIPL) and Hindustan Ports Private Limited (HPPL). As part of its global sustainability efforts, DPW launched the ‘Move to -15 Degrees’ campaign to recalibrate the standard temperature for transporting and storing frozen food from -18°C to -15°C.

By implementing this initiative across its entities, including HIPL and HPPL, DPW is driving significant energy efficiency improvements while maintaining food safety standards. This shift optimises cold chain operations, reducing energy consumption and contributing to a more sustainable logistics ecosystem.

IMPACT

Expected to reduce carbon emissions by 17.7 million tonnes annually worldwide.
Enhances energy efficiency across cold storage and transportation networks.
Supports a more sustainable global supply chain without compromising food safety.

Through ‘Move to -15 Degrees,’ DPW is advancing sustainability in cold chain logistics.

IMPACT STORIES

Building Careers in Aviation: GMR GGIAL’s Skill Development Initiative

To expand employment opportunities in the aviation sector, GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) has established an Aviation Skill Development Centre (ASDC) at Manohar International Airport, Goa. The centre provides specialised training to local youth, equipping them with the skills and competencies required for careers in aviation.

By bridging the skill gap, ASDC not only enhances employability but also opens alternative career pathways within the sector, supporting the growth of a skilled workforce for India’s aviation industry.

IMPACT

1,215 youth trained across various aviation courses
1,178 individuals successfully placed by March 2024

Through ASDC, GGIAL is creating meaningful employment opportunities and strengthening India’s aviation talent pool.

IMPACT STORIES

Fortifying Safety at GreenCell

GreenCell Mobility, a portfolio company of NIIF’s Private Markets Fund I-anchored Green Growth Equity Fund, is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety for drivers and passengers. By integrating advanced technology, strategic planning, and awareness programmes, GreenCell enhances road safety and reliability across its operations.

Key initiatives include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for collision prevention, machine vision technology to monitor driver fatigue, and a Centralised Command Control Centre for real-time tracking and corrective actions. Drivers undergo mandatory breathalyser tests before and after trips, while sensitisation drives and emergency response training reinforce a culture of safety.

IMPACT

62,000+ person-hours of training for depot staff
75,000 person-hours of training for drivers
40,000+ drivers attended training sessions (includes multiple sessions per driver)
2,400+ training sessions conducted

By embedding safety into its operations, GreenCell is setting new benchmarks for responsible and secure transport.

IMPACT STORIES

Turning Plastic Waste into Green Energy in the Food Industry at Licious

Licious — a portfolio company of Multiples, in which NIIF Private Markets Fund I (PMF-I) has invested — is transforming plastic waste management in the food industry. Engaged in processing and delivering meat and seafood-based products across India, Licious collaborates with government-recognised recycling agencies to repurpose plastic waste, ensuring responsible disposal and sustainability.

The company has successfully diverted 411 tonnes of plastic waste from landfills to waste-to-energy plants, cement kilns, and recycling partners, surpassing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandate of 70% and achieving 100% plastic waste diversion. Additionally, Licious has implemented an IoT-based supply chain tracking system to minimise food wastage and is actively developing alternative packaging solutions, including sustainable paper-based packaging.

IMPACT

411 tonnes of plastic waste diverted from landfills
1,600 MWh of energy saved
256 tCO₂e reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

By integrating circular economy principles, Licious is driving a more responsible and resource-efficient approach to packaging and waste management within the food industry.

Revolutionising Cold Chain Logistics: DP World’s ‘Move to -15 Degrees’ Campaign

Building Careers in Aviation: GMR GGIAL’s Skill Development Initiative

Fortifying Safety at GreenCell

Turning Plastic Waste into Green Energy in the Food Industry at Licious

Initiatives

One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund Initiative

NIIF endorses the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund (OPSWF) Initiative, a platform created by global sovereign wealth fund community, asset managers and asset owners. The underlying objective of OPSWF is to help organisations understand climate change risks in their investment horizons and decision making and explore investment opportunities around the transition to low emissions economy. As an active member of OPSWF, NIIF has access to global best practices and policies that support the firm’s commitment in making sustainable investments across its funds. NIIF has internalised the OPSWF Initiative principles to address the climate change risks emanating from its investment.

Alignment: Build climate change considerations, which are aligned with the funds’ investment horizons, into decision-making.

Ownership: Encourage investee companies to address material climate change issues in their governance, business strategy and planning, risk management and disclosure to promote value creation.

Integration: Integrate the consideration of climate change-related risks and opportunities into investment management to improve the resilience of long-term investment portfolios.

ESG Chair at IIM Ahmedabad

At NIIF, we prioritise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration for sustainable and commercial returns. Towards this, NIIF has set up the “NIIF Chair in ESG” in partnership with the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA). Under the partnership, NIIF is playing a catalytic role in shaping the future of ESG in India by promoting ESG best practices across its platforms and companies.

At NIIF, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our team works hand in hand with the Chair to advance discussions and actions on climate preservation and sustainable development, inviting all interested parties to join us in this important mission. We anticipate deeper collaboration with investors and partners, leveraging the Chair as a focal point for NIIF's climate initiatives.

By championing top-tier Environmental & Social (E&S) standards, we not only foster responsible investing but also create a multiplier effect through our funds and their portfolio companies. This presents a unique opportunity for investors and partners to contribute to sustainable development while reaping significant returns.

The Chair is focusing significantly on the environmental aspects, especially as they relate to matters that could impact the portfolio choices of NIIF and the policy pathways for our current and future investee companies.

ESG Summit

NIIF holds an annual ESG summit to bring together professionals from across India’s growing ESG community. NIIF’s third summit was held in New Delhi in February 2025, with 90+ professionals coming together to discuss how responsible investing will shape India’s growth story.

The objective of NIIF’s ESG Summit is to facilitate cross platform learning, foster a collaborative spirit and collectively address challenges and opportunities.

Through this summit, NIIF aims to spark meaningful conversations on key issues in this field, including ESG integration, climate risk assessment, capacity building and sustainability.