At the 19th Water Digest World Water Awards, held in partnership with UNESCO and supported by both the Ministry of Jal Shakti (responsible for water resources and drinking water supply) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Palladium India was honoured with the ‘Net Zero Initiative of the Year’ award.

“Winning this award is a proud moment for all of us,” says Anoop Phanse, Associate Director at Palladium India, who received the award on behalf of the team. “It validates the deep-rooted commitment we have to drive change in every project, creating a lasting impact not only through our operations but in the wider sustainability landscape.”

This is the second time Palladium has been recognised by the Water Digest-UNESCO platform, the first being the Best Community Project award in 2023. Palladium India is also the inaugural recipient of the new Net Zero Foundation Award, a distinction launched at this year’s ceremony to spotlight leadership in decarbonisation and environmental innovation.

From Ambition to Action: A Systems Approach to Net Zero

Palladium India’s efforts were recognised for their breadth and depth, reflecting a consistent approach to sustainability across sectors, regions, and systems.

For example, in the rapidly growing industrial city, Pimpri Chinchwad, the team supported the municipal corporation in raising ₹200 crore (USD 24 million) through municipal bonds to fund river rejuvenation and flood mitigation for the Pawana River. These weren't isolated interventions – they are part of a comprehensive strategy that includes training 150+ government officers in disaster resilience in partnership with Japanese experts, establishing the region’s first Sustainability Cell, and designing the Harit Setu project – a green corridor initiative designed to encourage non-motorised transport and improve urban environmental quality.

In its urban portfolio alone, Palladium India has undertaken a suite of impactful sustainability initiatives. The organization has implemented climate budgeting practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 27% by the year 2030. In support of cleaner transportation, 30% of Pimpri Chinchwad’s vehicle fleet has transitioned to electric mobility. Meanwhile, the Cool Roof Policy has proven effective in enhancing urban livability, with indoor temperatures dropping by up to 4°C, welcome in a city where summer temperatures can soar to over 40°C. Additionally, Palladium India’s contributions to the Green City Action Plan have helped slash carbon emissions by an estimated 1.6 million tons, underscoring the scale of the impact.

For the nearly three million residents of Pimpri Chinchwad, these efforts are reshaping the urban experience, making the city cleaner, cooler, more resilient, and better equipped to face a changing climate.

Scaling Impact Across States

In Thane, a city home to more than two million people that is part of the Greater Mumbai Region, Palladium India helped install 105,000 smart water meters, reducing water waste by 15% – a critical step for a water-stressed state and a real-world contribution toward Net Zero water usage.

In the state of Maharashtra, the team developed India’s first Fort-Specific Disaster Management Plan for Panhala Fort, a hilltop historical site over 800 years old, and a pioneering intersection of heritage preservation and climate resilience. Meanwhile, the Konkan Coastal Disaster Mitigation Project and a comprehensive Landslide Management Plan targeting 483 high-risk villages demonstrate Palladium India’s integrated approach to both natural disaster preparedness and long-term adaptation.

When it comes to transport emissions, one of the biggest contributors to climate change, Palladium India’s partnership with the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation is set to reduce 15 million tons of emissions annually, transitioning the public fleet to BS-VI standards and cleaner energy.

Beyond Awards: A Testament to Purpose

“This recognition is not just an award,” said Amit Patjoshi, CEO of Palladium India. “It’s a reflection of our team’s tireless dedication to integrating sustainability into every facet of our work.”

It also comes at a pivotal time. As the Water Digest and UNESCO launch their new Net Zero Foundation, Palladium India's recognition as the first awardee sets a precedent—and an expectation—for what’s possible when organisations embed sustainability into every layer of strategy, design, and delivery.