About HDFC Life

SWABHIMAAN

Our CSR Focus, SDG & Impact

At HDFC Life, we have wholeheartedly embraced the culture of social responsibility, which permeates through the organizational fabric. We have aligned our CSR initiative, under the umbrella of 'Swabhimaan’, to support the evolving needs of the most vulnerable sections of the society. Our aim is to empower communities for the resurgence that will steer them through tough times, into a new era of hope and positivity.

We believe that sustainable business growth is achieved when it goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility. Under HDFC Life, Swabhimaan, our CSR initiative, we reach out to communities and enable them to shift from a vicious cycle of disadvantage to a virtuous cycle of opportunity.Stemming from our core value of sustainability, this approach empowers the children, young adults and older adults to be self-reliant and, in effect, become partners in the growth of our nation. Taking one step at a time, we aim to pave the way for a brighter future.We are committed to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We promote access to free education and livelihood, healthcare and sanitation, and cleaner environment. 

• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

  We support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by participating in more than 10 out of the 17 SDGs. Our Education and Livelihood projects, including our special focus on Girl Child Education, supports SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

  Our interventions in Healthcare and Sanitation ensure access to quality healthcare and safe sanitation services for the vulnerable and economically marginalized, relevant to SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

  Under Environmental Sustainability interventions, our efforts to reduce carbon footprint and climate change impacts are relevant to SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land)

• OUR CSR FOCUS
  

  HDFC Life Swabhimaan strives to build sustainability in everything we do, but not limited to: 

• Education and Livelihood 

• Healthcare and Sanitation

• Environmental Sustainability

• Other Initiatives

• THE SWABHIMAAN IMPACT

  Please refer to the Human Capital, Social Capital and Natural Capital section of our Integrated Annual Report for programmatic level details.
  

EDUCATION AND LIVELIHOOD

HDFC Life adopts a comprehensive strategy in the field of education, spanning various domains such as primary and secondary education, catering to the needs of physically challenged individuals, promoting early childhood education, enhancing financial awareness, establishing connections, and fostering livelihood opportunities. Our influence spans significant focus areas that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Importantly, our initiatives are not limited by sector; rather, all the programs we support are geared towards the common goal of diminishing inequality.

Thematic Focus

• Elementary / Secondary Education

• Person with Disabilities

• Foundational Learning /ECE

• Financial Literacy / Linkages / Livelihood

Our implementation partners have introduced modern teaching methods and digital interventions, to create a stimulating learning environment and experience for students from low – income families. Our initiatives include: 

• Foundational Learning / ECE – For building a skilled and capable workforce , foundational learning plays a pivotal role which includes basic education and skills training. By investing HDFC Life contributes to the developmental of more skilled labor pool for the future needs. We thrive to create stable and prosperous future of the country by enabling the youngsters.  HDFC Life demonstrates its ethical responsibility by actively contributing to build a stronger nation by helping the youngsters to harness their talents at the maximum.

• Early Childhood Education - Early childhood education lays the foundation for a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development. HDFC Life invests in this critical stage, to contribute to the long-term well-being and success of individuals, which can lead to positive societal outcomes. It also aligns with various United Nations SDGs, such as Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), demonstrating our commitment to global sustainability.

• Persons with Disability – Investing in the welfare of persons with disabilities provides tangible benefits to the society, individuals and nation at large. HDFC Life believes that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to resources, thus, we promote these principles for the long term sustainability of beneficiaries through our several programs.

• Financial Literacy / Linkages / Livelihoods - HDFC Life Financial Literacy Program is a multi dimensional approach to build the financial capabilities of underprivileged individuals impacting communities at large. We support continuous efforts and targeted interventions to bring positive changes in the financial well-being of underprivileged individuals. We reach out the target audience and providing them financial education, entrepreneurial training, counseling and coaching. With a tailored approach we bring them technologically driven, innovative solutions. These individuals are also introduced to the social welfare schemes and subsidies targeted towards underprivileged population launched by Government.

HEALTHCARE AND SANITATION

At HDFC Life, investing in the realm of health and sanitation, underscores our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. By directing resources towards initiatives that improve health and sanitation standards in the communities we operate in, we actively contribute to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families. This commitment goes beyond profit-driven motives, demonstrating our dedication to creating positive social impact and sustainable change. Through our CSR efforts focused on health and sanitation, we aim to uplift communities, promote access to better healthcare facilities, and advocate for hygienic practices, aligning our business objectives with the greater well-being of society as a whole.

Thematic Focus

• Paediatric Cancer Care, Heart Care, Clubfoot

• Nutrition / Medical Camps

• Sanitation

• Care for Elderly 

Our initiatives are aimed at providing access to affordable Healthcare and Sanitation services for the vulnerable and economically marginalized. The key focus is on paediatric care, such as congenital heart defects, cancer, clubfoot treatment, nutrition and sanitation.

• Paediatric Cancer Care, Heart Care, Clubfoot – Healthy children are more likely to grow as more productive members of the society contributing to the long term sustainability of the society. By our regular investments in the healthcare we help to break the cycle of poverty and ill health. We contribute to the overall health of the family and community.

• Nutrition – Nutrition is a fundamental human need, and vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and low income communities often struggle to access adequate nutrition. HDFC Life directly impacts the health and quality of life of these individuals by addressing their nutritional needs. It helps in poverty alleviation by trapping malnutrition and increasing several kinds of opportunities for them. We ardently support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger and achieve food security.

• Sanitation – Sanitation is fundamental to public health. Access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities such a s toilets and hygiene education, helps prevent the spread of water-borne diseases, reducing illness and mortality rates in communities. HDFC Life efforts also help to restore the dignity and well being of individuals and communities. It also contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 6 which aims to provide clean water and sanitation to all.

• Care for Elderly - Aging population often face healthcare, social and financial challenges. HDFC Life supports the elderly through healthcare services, assisted living and social programs which contribute to their overall health and well-being, enhancing the quality of life. HDFC Life supports elderly to access the needs of a growing demographic, promote social responsibility which enhances the life quality of elderly.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

HDFC Life aims to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to reducing climate change impact. The company undertakes several initiatives to reduce carbon footprint through rationalizing consumption, increasing the use of environment-friendly technology and responsibly sourced energy interventions are focused on four key areas:

Thematic Focus

• Urban Forest Creation

• Bio-diversity restoration

• Water body rejuvenation

• Renewable Energy Integration

Under our Environmental Sustainability programme, we strive to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to reduce 'climate change impacts.     

• Urban Forest Creation – HDFC Life has demonstrated environmental stewardship by helping to generate urban forests which help mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, improving air quality, and reducing the urban heat island effect. We value that the Urban Forests provide habitat for wildlife and support biodiversity in urban areas, contributing to the preservation of ecosystems. These green spaces not just add to the aesthetics but help in creating resilient city structures. HDFC Life is committed in the development of Urban Forests through interventions like Miyawaki Forests which help in contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, 15 and 11 and achieve global goals.

• Biodiversity Restoration – Biodiversity is essential for providing ecosystem services such as pollination, clean water, soil fertility and climate regulation. HDFC Life pays its responsibility to protect and conserve nature and biodiversity by making continuous efforts and living to its commitments to nature. HDFC Life passionately contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 and 13 by holistically contributing towards biodiversity restoration measures. Biodiversity restoration not just helps in climate change mitigation but also helps conservation of the well being of the planet and future generations.

• Water body Rejuvenation – Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right. By investing in water body rejuvenation, HDFC Life  help ensure that communities have access to a vital resource. It also helps in reduction of water borne diseases and improve overall well being of the communities. By investing in water body rejuvenation through our CSR interventions we address fundamental human needs, promote public health, demonstrate environmental stewardship, support climate services, support climate resilience and long term sustainability.    

• Renewable Energy Integration – Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of power that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollutions and provides resilience on fossil fuels. By supporting several interventions to harness energy from renewable source HDFC Life has demonstrated its social commitments towards environmental consciousness. We have contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 by reducing carbon footprints, cost saving and bringing potential economic advantages.

CSR POLICY

The Corporate Social Responsibility Policy of HDFC Life has been designed in consonance with Section 135 of The Companies Act, 2013 to lay down the guidelines for undertaking CSR initiatives at HDFC Life in accordance with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy), Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time.

This Policy lays down the guiding principles or rules that shall apply to all CSR programs/projects to be undertaken by the Company, as per Schedule VII of the Act, within the geographical limit of the Republic of India.

• HDFC Life Swabhimaan CSR Policy

GROWING SUSTAINABLY (ESG)

HDFC Life is committed to industry leading ESG standards that will help shape a sustainable future for the communities we serve and creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.

Our ESG strategy focusses on five pillars, each of which have been elaborated in the subsequent sections:

• Ethical Conduct
• Responsible Investment
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Holistic Living
• Sustainable Operations

• ESG Report 2020-21

CSR PROJECTS

We believe that sustainable business growth is achieved when it goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility. Under HDFC Life, Swabhimaan, our CSR initiative, we reach out to communities and enable them to shift from a vicious cycle of disadvantage to a virtuous cycle of opportunity. Stemming from our core value of sustainability, this approach empowers the children, young adults and older adults to be self-reliant and, in effect, become partners in the growth of our nation. Taking one step at a time, we aim to pave the way for a brighter future.

Project Details FY 21-22

Project Details FY 22-23

Project Details FY 23-24