The automobile industry being one of the contributors to greenhouse gases needs to be innovative to embrace sustainability. Underscoring its commitment to nurturing a sustainability ecosystem, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) announced the expansion of Sustainability Garage – A Mercedes-Benz Initiative, a unique platform for diverse stakeholder groups to collaborate and champion sustainability goals.
Designed to enable research, create interactive spaces for immersive engagement, and promote social innovation projects in climate, environment, and sustainable mobility, the initiative will now include two new Centres of Excellence based out of Hyderabad and New Delhi.
The expansion was announced at Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2024 in New Delhi, where Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity, Governance & Sustainability, and Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, exchanged views and perspectives with representatives from government, industry, academia, policymakers, and think tanks on various sustainability topics.
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The first new Centre of Excellence of the Sustainability Garage, the Climate Tech Incubator, aims to support 25 social enterprises focused on sustainable mobility and environmental innovation. MBRDI will provide seed funding, customised support, and deep-tech mentorship to selected enterprises.
Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity, Governance & Sustainability said, “Sustainability means creating permanent value for all stakeholder groups. As a global company and corporate citizen, we want to make a positive contribution to society that goes beyond our core business activities.”
She talks about responsible sourcing standards otherwise, they will not be part of supply chain. MB started working on sustainability years ago. Huge part of it is on decarbonisation and sustainability is multifaceted.
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Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India: “Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India is committed to leading the charge in sustainable mobility. The new Sustainability Garage projects will play a vital role in furthering innovation from India to meet some of the most pressing global challenges.”
He adds, “Sustainability is not a moral imperative but a financial one. There are two pillars of sustainability environmental sustainability and mobility sustainability.”
Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2024, hosted at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, brought together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to delve into sustainability initiatives and innovations that are driving the future of mobility.
