From the Desk of Guest Editor


Dr Arvind Bodhankar
Chief Sustainability Officer, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel

Embracing Sustainability: The New Imperative in the Corporate World

Welcome to our Environment and ESG Special edition. This edition of The Bridge India E-Magazine delves deeper into the pivotal intersection of business, society, and the natural world. An ESG perspective can equip organisations to navigate emerging challenges and implement targeted strategies across their value chains.

ESG momentum is picking up in India. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, businesses are increasingly recognising that sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles are essential components of their core operations and long-term success. Faced with pronounced environmental challenges and heightened stakeholder demands for accountability, integrating an ESG framework has become vital for companies striving to thrive in the modern economy. The growing evidence of climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss has catalysed action across industries. Investors, customers, and regulators are now pressing companies to adopt practices that reduce environmental impact, promote social well-being, and ensure robust governance.

Sustainable practices are crucial for the longevity of an organisation, and embedding a robust ESG framework serves as a blueprint for growth. Focusing on ESG parameters attracts talent, enhances value creation for all stakeholders, and builds better brand equity and resilience against unforeseen challenges. Forward-thinking organisations are leveraging ESG metrics to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and build resilient supply chains. By integrating sustainability into their core strategies, these companies contribute to a healthier planet while reaping significant financial benefits.

The shift towards ESG-centric business models is redefining success in the corporate world. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent governance are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the 21st century. They create value for shareholders while addressing society’s needs.

Prioritising ESG considerations offers a competitive advantage, improving reputation, and attracting socially conscious investors and customers. Additionally, companies that emphasise ESG practices can reduce operational costs by minimising waste and increasing energy efficiency.

At the heart of our editorial mission is a commitment to fostering dialogue and awareness around sustainability issues. We aim to empower our readers with insights and perspectives that inspire meaningful action, whether through advocacy, investment choices, or everyday decisions.

As we navigate a rapidly changing world, the decisions we make today will define the trajectory of tomorrow. Let us embrace the opportunity to build a more sustainable and resilient future, where business success is synonymous with positive environmental and social impact.

Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a greener, more equitable world!

Happy reading!

Nurturing Sustainable Resilience with ESG

Indian businesses are undergoing a transformative shift. With a growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, companies are integrating sustainability into their core operations. This strategic move is not just about compliance; it’s a catalyst for long-term growth, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation. By prioritising ESG, Indian companies are not only meeting regulatory requirements, but also driving innovation, enhancing reputation, and building a sustainable future, says Jyoti Verma, Consulting Editor, The Bridge India E-Magazine.

Nurturing Sustainable Resilience with ESG

Indian businesses are undergoing a transformative shift. With a growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, companies are integrating sustainability into their core operations. This strategic move is not just about compliance; it’s a catalyst for long-term growth, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation. By prioritising ESG, Indian companies are not only meeting regulatory requirements, but also driving innovation, enhancing reputation, and building a sustainable future, says Jyoti Verma, Consulting Editor of The Bridge India E-Magazine.

Sustainability offers businesses a unique opportunity to enhance long-term profitability while improving lives and protecting the environment. By optimising supply chains, fostering inclusive workplaces, and efficiently utilising resources, companies can adopt ESG solutions to drive business growth across sectors. This “triple bottom line” approach balances profit, people, and planet. With consistent ESG performance, Indian corporations like Infosys, Suzlon, and ITC are demonstrating how to successfully navigate this path.

Powering a Greener World.

As a leading player in the renewable energy sector, Suzlon significantly boosts its ESG profile. A key enabler in decarbonisation efforts of several organisations, the company generates approximately 20.7 GW of wind energy across 17 countries, reducing CO2 emissions by over 53.11 million tonnes annually. Committed to ‘Green Growth,’ Suzlon integrates environmental, social, and economic values into its core operations. A thorough materiality assessment under SEMA drives its environmental and social (E&S) responsibilities, extending beyond the organisation to products and supply chains.

Suzlon prioritises the well-being of all stakeholders, including employees and communities. Comprehensive health and safety measures, coupled with diversity initiatives like the ‘Spectrum’ programme, foster a supportive workplace. Through diversity—from neurodiversity to gender equality—the Spectrum programme promotes creativity and recognises talent and voice of employees to strengthen the future. The company is committed to Women Empowerment Principles, including equal pay and gender-responsive supply chains.

By partnering with communities, Suzlon addresses critical needs in infrastructure, health, and education, reaching over 40 lakh villagers and benefitting 869 villages. A cornerstone of its work is ecological restoration, including grassland habitat revival and plantation. Capacity-building initiatives empower local communities, creating livelihood opportunities. Investments in education and healthcare have significantly improved the lives of over 9 lakh households in underserved regions.

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Shaping and Sharing ESG Technology Solutions

A pioneer in ESG, Infosys aims to make sustainable practices the industry norm. The company’s ESG roadmap focuses on developing and sharing technology solutions to address environmental challenges like climate change, water conservation, and waste management. For instance, Infosys created a generative AI tool for a financial services firm to extract and analyse ESG report data, streamlining analysis and reducing reliance on domain expertise. Another innovative solution is an integrated data platform for a real estate developer, enabling tenants and employees to track and report sustainability efforts through a gamified app.

Internally, for the fifth consecutive year, Infosys has been carbon neutral across its global operations by reducing energy consumption, increasing renewable energy sourcing, and offsetting residual emissions through high-quality carbon credits. It has in place ESG Advisory Council, ESG Investor Days, ESG Supplier Forum, ESG Employee Champions Network and other such forums to strengthen its stakeholder engagement, collaboration and commitment. The multinational became carbon neutral in FY 2020, 30 years ahead of the timeline set by the Paris Agreement. For its efforts, the company also bagged the prestigious United Nations Global Climate Action Award in the Climate Neutral Now category in 2019.

Today, Infosys has 29.6 million square feet of the highest level green certified space, 60.2 MW of total installed solar capacity. 37.5 million sq. ft. of office space monitored through Infosys command centre, 60.1% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, 67.5% of electricity for its India operations coming from renewable sources, and 13.13 tonnes of CO2e/MUSD revenue emission intensity for fiscal 2024. Its carbon offset programmes continue to benefit over 2,64,000 rural families. The company has empowered more than 119 million lives via Tech Good programmes in e-governance, healthcare and education.

Infosys has adopted a ‘Planet Positive’ approach by implementing comprehensive water conservation and rejuvenation strategies. This approach encompasses several initiatives, such as efficient water management practices, rigorous reporting practices, identification and addressal of water leaks, integration of new technologies that minimize water usage, construction of rainwater harvesting structures, among others. The company has 40 lakes across its campuses holding 430 million litres of rainwater storage capacity and 405 deep injection wells. These water bodies provide a combined recharge capacity of over 20 million litres.

Sustainable Supply Chain and Responsible Sourcing

Led by a low-carbon growth strategy for years, ITC Limited has been able to ensure a positive environmental footprint with enhanced use of renewable energy sources and reduction in specific energy consumption. Its focussed ESG efforts have helped the conglomerate win the ‘Business Leader of the Year – ESG’ prize at Chemtech Leadership & Excellence Award for 2024.

ITC Limited aims at making local impact with brands that serve as market anchors to enhance the competitiveness of the entire value chain, most notably covering farmers and rural communities. Its focus has been on spurring innovative strategies that would enable the organisation to make a growing contribution along the triple bottom lines of building economic, environmental and social capital. One such innovative strategy is focussed training programmes for supply chain members.

Under Sustainable Supply Chain and Responsible Sourcing, ITC engages with its supply chain members to assess their sustainability risks and support them in building resilience against such risks. The policy also encourages suppliers to work towards resource-use efficiency, including sustainable natural resource management, GHG emission reduction and sustainable waste management. In financial year 2023-24, ITC’s ESG-focussed training programmes covered 100% of the identified Critical Tier-1 Suppliers across businesses, with the training programmes covering aspects like emerging sustainability or ESG concepts, frameworks and guidelines; fundamentals of ESG integration in supply chain; among others.

As Indian businesses continue to prioritise ESG, they are not only shaping a resilient and prosperous future for themselves, but also contributing to a greener, more equitable world. The path to sustainability is challenging, but with a collective commitment to the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet, the rewards are immense. By nurturing sustainable resilience through ESG, Indian companies are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

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Beyond Conservation: The ESG Contributions of India’s Leading NGOs

NGOs in India highlight the critical importance of community involvement, policy advocacy, and practical on-ground interventions in achieving environmental sustainability.
By Karan Bhardwaj, Senior Editorial Associate, The Bridge India E-Magazine

India’s journey towards achieving environmental sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals is marked by the relentless efforts of various non-governmental organisations. These organisations, through their innovative and impactful initiatives, are making significant strides in conserving natural resources, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing community resilience.

Championing Water Conservation and Organic Agriculture

Lipok Social Foundation (LSF) was founded on the principle of interconnected social, economic, and environmental justice. Founded in 2018, the NGO has been addressing the needs of marginalised communities by promoting sustainable practices in production and consumption.

In the picturesque villages of Tekadi Tanda and Dongaon in Aurangabad, LSF implemented a transformative water conservation model. By training the youth in water management, hydrometer use, and water budgeting, LSF empowered the community to take control of their water resources. This initiative not only ensured sustainable water management, but also fostered community solidarity. Workshops and hands-on training sessions helped the youth form a water management committee and launch a Mahashramdhan (mass volunteerism) campaign to implement water conservation plans across their villages.

LSF’s commitment to organic agriculture is demonstrated through their training workshops across Aurangabad and Jalna districts. By equipping farmers with skills in biodynamic compost preparation and pest management, they have enabled over 180 farmers to adopt organic farming techniques. Their collaboration with the KHOJ organisation in Amravati district further highlights their efforts in promoting organic agriculture and securing PGS organic certification for 160 farmers. These workshops emphasize the importance of reducing chemical inputs and enhancing soil fertility, ultimately leading to healthier crops and increased biodiversity.

Through the “Accelerating Circular Rural Economy” (ACRE) programme, LSF has transformed farmers into entrepreneurs. By providing workshops, seed grants, and targeted interventions, LSF has empowered farmers to start their own enterprises, enhancing their livelihoods and reducing their reliance on chemical inputs. Between 2020 and 2023, LSF conducted workshops that enabled 43 farmers to start their own enterprises in sectors such as goatery, dairy, poultry, organic inputs, and value-added food produce. Additionally, LSF provided seed grants to selected farmers and implemented targeted interventions, such as sewing training for women and organic fertiliser production training for farmers, to enhance self-reliance and reduce chemical input costs.

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Addressing Toxicity and Waste Management

Toxics Link, based in New Delhi, addresses critical issues related to toxicity and waste, focusing on their impacts on the environment and human health. Their work spans chemicals in products, biomedical waste, and electronic waste management.

India, with its fragile regulatory framework and limited public information on chemical safety, faces significant challenges in managing chemicals in products. Toxics Link has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges through research, information dissemination, and policy intervention. The NGO’s campaigns on mercury in CFLs, lead in paints, and heavy metals in toys and jewellery have led to significant policy changes at regional, national, and international levels. Their work underscores the importance of creating awareness and promoting safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

Toxics Link’s efforts in biomedical waste management span over a decade. By disseminating information on waste segregation in healthcare institutions, the organisation has highlighted that only 15-20 per cent of hospital waste is infectious or hazardous. By preventing contamination through proper segregation, hospital waste can become a valuable resource for other uses. The NGO’s engagements at the central, state, and regional levels aim to improve biomedical waste management practices, thereby reducing environmental and health risks.

Since 2003, the organisation has been actively campaigning for safe electronic waste management in India. Despite the introduction of a legal framework, the country continues to struggle with the scale of e-waste and the implementation of effective on-ground systems. Much of the waste flows into the informal sector, causing soil, water, and air pollution and increasing health risks. Toxics Link’s research and policy advocacy efforts aim to strengthen the regulatory framework and promote sustainable e-waste management practices. Their on-ground models, such as the collaboration with the Goa Waste Management Corporation, highlight the importance of creating feasible collection networks and facilities to manage e-waste effectively.

Conserving Forests and Ecosystems

Based in Pune, Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust (FORREST) is dedicated to forest and wildlife conservation, habitat and ecological restoration, water and wetland conservation, and promoting conservation consciousness. Their work spans protected and non-protected areas, as well as private conservation areas, aiming to halt biodiversity loss and reverse land degradation.

FORREST’s first project, the ‘Ecological Assessment of Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary,’ set the foundation for their collaborative work with government departments. This project involved comprehensive assessments of the sanctuary’s flora, fauna, water resources, and management, highlighting the NGO’s commitment to scientific and data-driven conservation efforts. The experience of working in a wildlife sanctuary was extraordinary, with the team conducting seasonal assessments and gaining invaluable insights into conservation planning.

Recognising the urgency of the climate crisis, FORREST advocates for collective action to mitigate climate change. They promote responsible resource consumption, caring for living beings, and protecting natural resources while emphasising the need for a united effort to combat this global challenge. They highlight the dire consequences of climate change, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

The organisation’s insights into India’s ecological and environmental conditions underscore the pressing need for greater environmental consciousness and action. The degradation of biodiversity-rich areas, low environmental awareness, and the exploitation of natural resources are key challenges that require immediate attention. The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism, are particularly under threat from development and exploitation.

The organisation has become a platform for connecting with like-minded individuals, collaborating with government agencies, and strengthening conservation efforts across India. Their work has highlighted the urgency of addressing climate emergencies and the need for immediate action to protect forests, wetlands, and other natural resources.

Way forward

The combined efforts illustrate the vital role NGOs play in driving environmental sustainability and achieving ESG goals in India. Their innovative approaches, community engagement, and commitment to sustainable practices serve as a beacon of hope in the face of environmental challenges.

Their work not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also lays the foundation for long-term ecological balance and social equity. As India continues its journey towards sustainability, the contributions of these NGOs will remain indispensable in shaping a better world for future generations.

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Social Sector Movement

UN Secretary-General Appoints India’s Gita Sabharwal of India as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia
By The Bridge India Correspondent

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Gita Sabharwal from India as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, with the approval of the host government.

Ms. Sabharwal, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in development work focused on climate transition, sustainable peace, governance, and social policy. She is also known for her use of digital technology and data to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Her previous roles include serving as the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand and as a Peacebuilding and Development Adviser for the UN in Sri Lanka. Before joining the UN, Ms. Sabharwal was the Deputy Country Representative for The Asia Foundation in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and she also served as a Poverty and Policy Adviser for the UK’s Department for International Development in India and Vietnam.

Development Happenings

On World Environment Day, PM plants sapling of Peepal Tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi and launches EK Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Plant4Mother) campaign

On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the # “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” #Plant4Mother campaign by planting a Peepal tree sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park, New Delhi. He highlighted the connection between nurturing Nature by Mother Earth and the care given by our mothers, urging people worldwide to plant a tree in honor of their mothers and commit to protecting both trees and the environment.

Central and state government departments, as well as local bodies, will identify public spaces to support the # “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” #Plant4Mother campaign.
Tree planting is a key focus of World Environment Day 2024, which aims to halt and reverse land degradation, build drought resilience, and prevent desertification. As part of the campaign, there are plans to plant 80 crore trees by September and 140 crore by March 2025, following a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach. These trees will be planted by individuals, organizations, and government bodies across the country.

The Department of School Education, Government of India, has encouraged eco-clubs in 7.5 lakh schools to promote the # “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” message. School summer camps are incorporating this theme into experiential learning, aligning with the New Education Policy. The significance of trees in nurturing life and their connection to mothers and Mother Earth will be emphasized through the Plant4Mother concept.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with its institutions such as BSI, ZSI, ICFRE, and NMNH, will actively promote tree planting and awareness under the # “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. Other ministries and departments are also contributing to the theme. The Ministry of Youth Affairs is engaging youth through the MY Bharat initiative, while the Ministry of External Affairs is encouraging global participation in this tree planting movement under #Plant4Mother.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi were also present for the launch

Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited Observes World Environment Day with Multiple Initiatives

Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) marked World Environment Day on June 5 with a series of events aimed at raising environmental awareness among its employees.

The day commenced with a fire safety training session conducted by Praveen Kumar, a senior officer from the Delhi Fire Department, for around 20 staff members, including cleaning staff, drivers, and MTS personnel. Dr. S.K. Das, Medical Consultant, followed up with a first aid demonstration. Rajiv Sharma, Chief Security Officer, emphasised the importance of alertness and responsibility in the workplace.

To further engage with the community, SPMCIL hosted a street play on environmental protection by students from Arwachin Bharti Public School. The performance, organised in collaboration with the Commission for Air Quality Management, was appreciated by S.K. Sinha, Director (HR), SPMCIL.
A panel of experts led by S.K. Sinha also conducted a session on “Living in Harmony with Nature.” Special guest B.K. Piyush from Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwari Vishwa Vidyalaya highlighted the significance of both external and internal environmental well-being.

The event concluded with positive feedback from participants, who expressed their desire for similar initiatives in the future.

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