Our Accountability

TNC-The Nature Conservancy Centre (TNCC) was set up in 2017 to advance India’s environmental goals and to conserve its natural heritage. It is an affiliate of The Nature Conservancy.

TNCC is a science-led and collaborative organization that works with a wide range of government and non-government partners to address key sustainability challenges facing India through on-the-ground charitable projects as well as research studies. The key areas of focus are conservation and restoration of natural resources, biodiversity, and climate change – mitigation as well as adaptation.

TNCC is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organisation registered in India under Section 8 of The Companies Act, 2013. Contributions to TNCC are tax-deductible by Indian donors under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.

TNCC is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for undertaking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. across the world adheres to high accountability standards. We transparently share information with the public about ourselves and how carefully and effectively we use donations.

We follow the Indian Financial Year from April to March and prepare our books of accounts and financial statements as per applicable accounting standards.

For additional information request please write to us on incontact@TNC.ORG.

Our Values

INTEGRITY BEYOND REPROACH

At The Nature Conservancy, we operate with Integrity Beyond Reproach in all of our activities around the world. We will meet the highest ethical and professional standards in all of our organizational endeavors and, in doing so, we hold ourselves accountable to our mission and to the public.

We commit to:

• Operate and communicate with honesty and transparency at all times
• Hold ourselves accountable to our mission, our teams, our donors, members and partners, and to the many communities we serve
• Earn trust by engaging thoughtfully with peers and partners, building relationships, being competent, and following through on all of our commitments.

RESPECT FOR PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES

Enduring conservation success depends on the active involvement of people and partners whose lives and livelihoods are linked to the natural systems we seek to conserve. We respect the needs, values and traditions of local communities and cultures, and we forge relationships based on mutual benefit and trust.

• Demonstrate respect by committing to local, on the ground involvement with people, communities and cultures, and with awareness and sensitivity to their economic realities
• Treat our partners and colleagues with fairness and honesty
• Work collaboratively with all sectors of society, including indigenous people, to develop practical conservation solutions.

COMMITMENT TO BELONGING

Just as nature requires biodiversity to thrive, a healthy workforce needs persons from many backgrounds and talents to succeed in its mission. We are committed to fostering a workforce where all colleagues feel valued and respected, free from harassment or bias; a workforce guided by our values, upholding a collaborative culture that supports one another and the people and places we serve; and a workforce where everyone has equal opportunity to excel. We:

• Leverage varied experiences and perspectives to be more effective in achieving our mission
• Respect and learn from each other’s ways of thinking
• Create a day to day workplace climate that welcomes and encourages each of us, valuing the contributions of all.

ONE CONSERVANCY

Our strength and vitality lies in being one organization working together in local places and across borders to achieve our global mission. We value the collective and collaborative efforts that are so essential to our success. We:

• Work across all of our operations to implement and support the right strategies, at the right scales, and at the right places always with the greater good of our mission in mind
• Act with continuity of purpose in everything we do, from the focus of our conservation efforts to the allocation of our resources
• Celebrate individual, team and project success as the success of all who work for TNC.

TANGIBLE, LASTING RESULTS

We use the best available science, a creative spirit and a non-confrontational approach to craft innovative solutions to complex conservation problems at scales that matter and in ways that will endure. We:

• Develop, analyze and use the best available conservation science and a science-based rigor to set priorities, make decisions, take action, and measure results
• Use a creative spirit and original thought in the pursuit of excellence
• Conduct our business in an environmentally sensitive manner

These values shape who we are as an organization and how we conduct ourselves as individuals. They inspire us to do the right thing and to do right by one another. Our values are the foundation for our Code of Conduct, as set out by our parent organisation The Nature Conservancy. 

TNC CODE OF CONDUCT

The TNC Code of Conduct provides the principles and expectations to guide staff, Board members, Trustees/Advisors, volunteers, and third-parties in the course of their work for TNC. One of those expectations is that TNC staff and others acting on our behalf will comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in each country, state, or locality where TNC operates. Where TNC’s Code or policies are more protective than the laws and customs in certain countries, TNC staff and others acting on our behalf will be held to the higher standards set forth in our Code.

Our Code is also an interactive field guide for our staff that provides access to additional resources to help them make sound ethical and legal decisions. Staff and others who violate our Code will face consequences. 

Team Charter for India

TNC Helpline: Ask a Question or Report a Concern

Staff and third parties may contact the Ethics & Compliance team anytime to submit a question or concern at our online Helpline. The TNC Helpline is available online or by phone 24/7/365 in a variety of languages. In the US, you can call 800-461-9330, or text 571-458-1739. Our Helpline page has phone numbers for international calling. Concerns may be submitted anonymously where permitted by law.

TNC takes all concerns seriously and when misconduct is found, consistent disciplinary action and remedial measures are taken across the organization and at all staff levels. At TNC, we are all responsible for speaking up if something does not feel right or if we have concerns about ethical misconduct. We know it takes courage to speak up. TNC will not tolerate retaliation against individuals who ask questions or raise concerns about potential misconduct in good faith.

Ethics & Compliance Program

TNC’s Ethics & Compliance Program is designed to promote and foster: 1) a culture of integrity and ethical-decision making aligned with TNC’s Values; 2) compliance with TNC’s Code of Conduct, policies, procedures and applicable laws; and 3) appropriate risk assessment, due diligence and monitoring to detect, deter and prevent misconduct and unethical behavior. The TNC Ethics & Compliance Office was established by the Board of Directors in 2012.

In addition to our Code and Helpline, our Ethics & Compliance Program includes the following:

• Regular assessment of risks through inputs from Helpline reports, Internal Audit, Legal and management.
• Annual Integrity Awareness training for all staff.
• Routine Code of Conduct awareness for the Board of Directors, Trustees and Advisors.
• Targeted awareness and training for staff to mitigate key risks.
• Conflicts of Interest Committee.
• Fair and impartial investigations of allegations of wrongdoing.
• Privacy program.
• Regular programmatic maturity assessments of our Ethics & Compliance and Privacy programs.