Beyond Business as Usual: Why Integra’s Sustainability Story Matters More Than Ever

There’s a story that needs to be told—the story of sustainability at Integra. As someone who joined this remarkable organization over a year ago, I can say with conviction: it’s a story that continues to inspire me every single day.

A Quiet, Purposeful Beginning

When I first walked through Integra’s Pondicherry campus, I wasn’t prepared for what I would find. Here was a company that had been quietly building something extraordinary—not for recognition or awards, but because it was the right thing to do.

The single-use-plastic-free, solar-powered, LEED Platinum-certified campus wasn’t constructed to make headlines. The thousands of trees in what is now the world’s only Publisher’s Forest weren’t planted for photo opportunities. These efforts emerged from a deeply rooted sense of responsibility toward the environment.

As someone who finds immense joy in nature, this commitment resonated instantly—and continues to fuel my passion for the work we do at Integra.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Sometimes, the most powerful stories are told through data. Consider these stark global realities:

• 60% of wildlife has been lost in the last 50 years
• One in three people globally still lack access to safe drinking water
• Global carbon emissions are at their highest in over 2 million years
• Only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled

Integra recognized this crisis long before sustainability became a business imperative. Our response has been both meaningful and measurable:

Our Environmental Impact

• 34,000+ native trees planted across 100 species, including endangered varieties
• 41 million liters of rainwater harvested annually through 11 pond systems
• 1,703 metric tons of CO₂ absorbed each year—exceeding our own emissions
• 5 million liters of wastewater recycled and reused annually
• 100% green energy powering our Pondicherry headquarters

Recognition That Validates Purpose

Recently, Integra received the Gold EPIC Award for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Implementation from the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) at their Annual Meeting in Baltimore. This recognition came alongside other prestigious honors:

• NASSCOM SME Inspire Award 2024 – Best Environmental Sustainability Practices
• CII ITC Sustainability Award 2023 – Excellence in Environment Management

But what makes me most proud is this: we didn’t chase awards. We chased purpose. The recognition followed because our commitment has always been genuine.

From Pledge to Performance

In 2021, on Earth Day, our Founder Sriram Subramanya made a bold public pledge: Integra will become a carbon-neutral company by 2030. That wasn’t a marketing statement—it became our north star, shaping our daily decisions from reducing paper and plastic use to transitioning to renewable energy and restoring ecosystems.

Since then, we’ve achieved:

• LEED Platinum certification for our headquarters from the U.S. Green Building Council
• Silver rating from Ecovadis, a leading global sustainability rating agency
• Single-use Plastic-Free Campus recognition from the Puducherry Government
• ISO 14001 certification for our Environmental Management System

Sustainability as Strategy: The Integra Framework

What makes Integra’s sustainability journey unique is how deeply it’s embedded in our business model. We align with 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, proving that environmental stewardship and business success aren’t opposing forces—they are mutually reinforcing.

Our Private Forestry Program doesn’t just plant trees—it restores biodiversity and sequesters carbon through thoughtfully developed green zones. Our water conservation and aquifer recharge efforts go beyond our campus, benefiting communities and local ecosystems.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for 2030 and Beyond

As we look toward the future, our commitment only grows stronger. We’re actively:

• Transitioning to 100% renewable energy across all operations
• Expanding water conservation and groundwater restoration projects
• Rolling out sustainable procurement practices
• Exploring e-vehicle adoption for all campus transportation needs

We’re demonstrating that doing business responsibly isn’t just possible—it’s essential. In a world grappling with environmental crises, organizations like Integra must lead by example.

Real Impact. Recognized. The Journey Continues.

To every Integrite who’s been part of this journey: thank you. Every small step, every sustainable choice, every moment of care has shaped the company we are today.

To our clients and partners: your support strengthens our belief that sustainability and business excellence can—and must—go hand in hand.

To the broader business community: sustainability isn’t an obligation; it’s an opportunity—one that allows us to create long-term value for our stakeholders, the planet, and future generations.

At Integra, we’ve proven that when passion meets purpose, when commitment meets action, and when responsibility meets innovation—extraordinary things are possible.

This is our story. But more importantly, it’s a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future.

About the EPIC Award

The EPIC (Excellence in Publishing, Information Technology, and Communications) Awards, launched by the Society for Scholarly Publishing in 2024, honor outstanding contributions in sustainability, equity, innovation, and accessibility in scholarly publishing.

Integra’s Gold Award recognizes our leadership in three core areas:

• Private Forest Creation (Integra’s Forestry Program)
• Water Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
• Clean Energy Transition and Emissions Reduction

These milestones reaffirm that sustainable business practices lead to lasting impact when driven by focused and consistent vision.

Thank You for Being Part of the Journey

Your trust and collaboration enable us to pursue bold goals and meaningful change.

Learn more about our sustainability journey: Sustainability at Integra