A Zomato shareholder demanded a proof of the company’s “100% Green Deliveries” claim, prompting a detailed rebuttal from CEO Deepinder Goyal.
The controversy erupted when a user challenged Zomato’s environmental credentials, remarking sarcastically: “100% Green Deliveries on Petrol Bikes delivering ‘trekhe meethe golpaggpe’? Companies like Zomato should not make false claims just to sound cool. There is nothing ‘Green’ in this pic.” The picture attached had a Zomato delivery person wearing a bag, promoting green deliveries, while riding a petrol bike.
Goyal responded assertively, declaring, “We offset more than 100% of the carbon our delivery fleet generates. We have been doing this for the last few years, while taking the required steps to reach our promise of Net Zero by 2030.”
The concerned shareholder escalated the dialogue, requesting concrete evidence. “As a shareholder, I would appreciate if you could share an audited report on ‘Offset’ that entitles Zomato to claim ‘100% Green Deliveries’,” the investor wrote, specifically challenging the company to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) transition in the National Capital Region.
In a comprehensive four-point response, Goyal provided substantive documentation to validate Zomato’s environmental claims. The company presented international renewable energy certificates and carbon offset purchases verified by ESG assurance providers for three consecutive years.
Goyal stressed upon was Zomato’s plastic recycling initiative. The company claims to have recycled 30,000 metric tons of plastic waste – approximately 1.5 times the volume generated by their delivery orders. “This is a completely voluntary initiative on our part to mitigate plastic pollution,” Goyal emphasized.
On EV adoption, Zomato revealed that one in three deliveries in Delhi are already electric, with a committed goal to achieve 100% EV-based deliveries by 2030. The company acknowledged existing infrastructure challenges, stating that current two-wheeler EV products, charging facilities, and financing options are still evolving.
Goyal was unequivocal about corporate accountability, asserting, “Public companies like us cannot lie. There are enough public institutions to keep us honest and accountable.”