We see Sustainable Development as a key part of Vedanta’s business philosophy and overall ethos. It represents a core commitment of our management and employees.

Conducting our Sustainable Development programmes in a manner that helps our communities become more sustainable whilst enhancing shareholder and stakeholder value is fundamental to us. We plough substantial resources into our programmes and believe that it is imperative that we continue to be forward looking and responsible in our everyday operations.

During 2008 our sustainable development (SD) strategy prioritised three sustainable areas: inclusive growth for our people and communities, environmental management, and sustainable economic growth.

Our processes and performance in the areas of safety, health, environment and social have continued to develop. Effective control and delivery in all of these areas is a management imperative and is the subject of regular and detailed scrutiny at all levels of management.

Vedanta recognises the importance of being open, transparent and accountable. We have, for example, always recognised that an important element of our licence to operate is to enter into dialogue and work closely with the local communities in which we operate.

We have also developed our Sustainable Development communications and reporting systems, applying our website for the purpose and expanding our reporting. This year we will be producing a stand alone report for the first time and continue towards our overall goal of full compliance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the sector supplements which are relevant to our activities. The key information for this is being independently verified by an external auditor.

In general our efforts aim to maximise our related opportunities and minimise our related risks. Going forward we are committed to enter into dialogue with a wider group of stakeholders. We have made progress against our goals, but we have more to learn in some and lot of work to do.

The information within this Annual Report section is an outline of our policies, systems and performance in this area and is provided principally for our shareholders and potential shareholders.