Strategic Focus: Understanding ESG And Sustainability Regulations In India

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Executive Summary

India's ability to effectively implement the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will determine the success or failure of up to half of the UN’s global targets – far more than the impact of any other country. Through a sustainable development model, India has the potential to achieve economic growth without a parallel increase in energy use or carbon emissions. As the country addresses this transformation, its ESG and sustainability regulatory regime – defined by its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework – becomes even more critical to ensuring that economic progress aligns with environmental and social goals. This report provides executives with an overview of key sustainability regulations that impact firms operating in India, and the actions they can take to navigate the landscape effectively.

Table of contents

Summary for decision-makers
India is strengthening its ESG and sustainability regulatory regime

The country’s ESG landscape blends historical influences with modern corporate responsibility
BRSR is the cornerstone of India’s sustainability reporting landscape
A swathe of regulations works in tandem with BRSR to build a holistic ESG regulatory landscape
To align with evolving sustainability standards, firms should start preparing and investing now

Table of figures

Figure 1. A snapshot of India’s economic indicators
Figure 2. India’s environmental commitments
Figure 3. Summary of the attributes and KPIs in the BRSR Core
Figure 4. Timeline and applicability of BRSR Core and Lite
Figure 5. Indian firms and their sustainability commitments and initiatives

About the authors

Priyanka Bawa

Senior Analyst
Priyanka is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice. Her current research focuses on ESG and sustainability consulting services and social aspects of ESG regulations, reporting and disclosures. Prior to joining Verdantix, Priyanka led diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) research in the legal and environment sectors. She holds a DPhil in Social Policy from the University of Oxford.

Kim Knickle

Research Director, ESG & Sustainability
Kimberly Knickle is Research Director of the ESG & Sustainability practice at Verdantix. Her research areas encompass ESG regulations and reporting, ESG risk, supply chain sustainability, circular economy, social impact, and sustainable finance. Kim has worked for more than 20 years in the IT industry, providing research and analysis to help companies invest wisely in new technologies. Before joining the analyst industry, she held various roles in IT services, engineering and product safety testing, beginning her career at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Kim holds an MBA from Boston University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell.

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