Strategic Focus: Understanding ESG And Sustainability Regulations In India
Access this research
Access all Corporate Sustainability Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report
Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance
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.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
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 at Verdantix, where she leads research to enable sustainability leaders and services firms to analyse shifting market dynamics and evaluate innova...
View Profile
Kim Knickle
Research Director
Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...
View ProfileOther related content
On October 20, 2025, a new carbon accounting coalition, Carbon Measures, hit the market. Supported by prominent organizations across industry and finance – including BlackRock, BAS...
11 November, 2025
On October 13, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized the work of Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt “for having explained innovation-driven economic growth” by...
10 November, 2025
As sustainability regulations evolve unevenly across regions - with the EU refining the CSRD, California rolling out new climate disclosure laws in 2026 and global adoption of ISSB...
Upcoming / 10 December, 2025
As the initial hype around enterprise AI gives way to practical realities, organizations are adopting a more measured and value-driven approach to AI investments. But for those tas...
Upcoming / 03 December, 2025
As organizations face increasing pressure to deliver on decarbonization targets while managing cost and risk, understanding the tools and market dynamics behind renewable energy so...
Upcoming / 27 November, 2025
The past year has been turbulent for many sustainability leaders. Continuous shifts in regulations and global sustainability policy – coupled with economic and trade uncertainty – ...
28 October, 2025