The deliberation offered a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of sustainability within businesses, emphasising the need for ethical responsibility, efficient processes, and consumer engagement in the quest for a greener and more sustainable future

In a compelling discourse at the recent BW Sustainability event, industry experts from diverse sectors converged to deliberate on the pivotal role of sustainability in modern businesses. The conversations were both enlightening and thought-provoking, offering a holistic view of how companies can align their strategies with ethical and environmental responsibilities.

The deliberation offered a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of sustainability within businesses, emphasising the need for ethical responsibility, efficient processes, and consumer engagement in the quest for a greener and more sustainable future.

Dr. Kalpana Seethepalli, Director of ESG, Asia Pacific at Deutsche Bank, kicked off the discussions by underscoring the ethical responsibility of businesses. She emphasised the need to differentiate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), highlighting that ESG should be embedded in a company’s core strategy and commercial position. In her words, “Sustainability isn’t just about making money and doing good, but about making money by doing good.”

Dr. Pradeep Panigrahi, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Larsen & Toubro, shed light on the evolving preferences of millennials. He pointed out that, “The younger generation is not merely interested in sustainable end products but also in the processes used to create them”. Panigrahi stressed the importance of employing the right technology, processes, and systems to drive the green revolution.

Mr. Sandeep Chanda, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tech Mahindra, delved into sustainability within the context of services. He emphasised the need for efficiency across different aspects of services, such as optimising code, reducing waste, and calibrating the code’s carbon index. Chanda also urged consideration of the value chain’s efficiency in the production of goods.

Mr. Santhosh Jayaram, Global Head of Sustainability at HCLTech, explored the impact of companies on people’s lifestyles and dietary choices. He posed the question, not of whether companies can adopt sustainability, but of whether they are willing to commit to it. Jayaram applauded the policy changes enacted by the government, including programmes like Mission LiFE and the recently launched green credit initiative. He stressed the significance of the upcoming CoP 28 as the first stock taking CoP after Paris Agreement which will assess countries’ commitments and their alignment with the Paris Agreement.

Ms. Deepa Nagraj, Global Head of Communications and Sparkle Innovation Ecosystem at Mphasis, focused on the subjective nature of ESG evaluation measures. She stressed the importance of aligning chosen metrics with a company’s unique business strategy. Nagraj also emphasised the responsibility of end consumers to research and evaluate the products they use.

Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Founder & Director of RecycleKaro, highlighted the shifting behaviour of consumers towards recycling products. He noted, the increasing participation in collection drives, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental sustainability.