Building trust in water stewardship: DNV verifies Hindustan Zinc’s 3.32× water-positive impact

DNV provided third-party assurance on Hindustan Zinc’s water positivity claim, verifying that for every litre of freshwater consumed, over three litres were returned to the environment achieving a 3.32× water-positive status

Tackling water risk with ambition

Operating in Rajasthan, India—one of the most water-stressed regions globally—Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has been at the forefront of industrial sustainability. Given its water-intensive operations, the company has tackled a dual challenge: minimizing its reliance on freshwater while actively working to revive local water ecosystems.

Achieving these goals at an industrial scale requires more than internal commitment; Hindustan Zinc needed credible verification to assure stakeholders of its impact and progress.

Embedding sustainability into operations

To strengthen its sustainability leadership, Hindustan Zinc implemented a multi-faceted water management strategy. This included:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facilities across major sites
• Responsible water usage in water stressed areas
• Water recycling and reuse across operations

To independently validate performance, Hindustan Zinc engaged DNV to conduct a rigorous audit of its water balance and replenishment efforts.

Turning ambition into assurance

DNV provided third-party assurance on Hindustan Zinc’s water positivity claim, verifying that for every litre of freshwater consumed, over three litres were returned to the environment achieving a 3.32× water-positive status for FY 2024-25.

The assurance included:

• Site-level audits of water data and water flows
• Validation of rainwater harvesting, and recharge systems

DNV’s verification helped build trust across stakeholders from investors and regulators to local communities.

Verified outcomes, measurable impact

• 3.32× water positive: Verified by DNV for FY2024-25
• Credible sustainability reporting: Assurance strengthens stakeholder confidence, preserves local ecosystems and strengthens community resilience
• Award-winning outcomes: Hindustan Zinc has become 3.32 times water positive, a significant leap from 2.41 Global alignment: Supports SDGs by cutting freshwater use by 50 per cent from 2020 levels and sourcing 100 per cent low-quality water for its smelting operations by 2030, SBTi, and India CEO Water Alliance

A commitment to long-term value

This project demonstrates DNV’s commitment to empowering sustainability through credibility. By independently verifying Hindustan Zinc’s environmental impact, DNV supports industry leaders in translating ambition into trusted, measurable progress shaping a more resilient, sustainable future.