Net-Zero, Net-Positive, Net impact, Net……. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recently faced internal controversy after announcing plans to include environmental attribute certificates (EACs) like emissions reduction credits in their updated corporate net-zero standards. Concerned staff publicly opposed the move, with some even calling for the CEO and board to resign. Subsequently, the SBTi CEO… Continue reading The “NET” obstacle
CSO’s – Don’t be beguiled by compliance
I do not think there is any disagreement that sustainability as a corporate term has gained immense traction over the past few years. For me, the indicator has been the World Economic Forum at Davos. Over the past few years, sustainability has taken center stage at this global gathering. One positive is that I see… Continue reading CSO’s – Don’t be beguiled by compliance
Who needs to read sustainability disclosures?
The question is who, according to you, should be reading your sustainability disclosures rather than who is reading them. Is your sustainability communication reaching the right audience? I once asked a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), the question – ‘who needs to read the sustainability disclosures’ that he and his team were so fastidiously compiling. He… Continue reading Who needs to read sustainability disclosures?
There is a problem in approaching sustainability as an opportunity
Sustainability is about being on the right side of history rather than being approached as an opportunity. To get eyeballs to sustainability, sometime back, sustainability as opportunity line of communication started. Over the years, it has gained wide popularity as a financial and economic intervention rather than a responsibility purview. Take the term ‘sustainability management’;… Continue reading There is a problem in approaching sustainability as an opportunity
COP28 Declaration and Painkillers
On the second day at Davos, I had a splitting headache while attending the World Economic Forum meetings. My colleague (friend) offered me Ibuprofen tablets. Within 20 minutes, I was relieved and speaking in a panel and discussing the COP 28 declaration and the road map to a sustainable future. After the panel discussion, out… Continue reading COP28 Declaration and Painkillers
Sustainable Future @ the Speed of Trust
As the world leaders converge to Davos for the World Economic Forum annual event, the underlying theme that will cut across the discussions will be “Rebuilding Trust.” This builds from the most ubiquitous buzzword from last year’s WEF gathering – “poly-crisis”. The term polycrisis is defined as a cluster of related risks with compounding impacts… Continue reading Sustainable Future @ the Speed of Trust
The Onerous BRSR Core – Value Chain Reporting
The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) reporting requirements were published by SEBI in May 2021 applicable to the top 1000 companies. Since the notification was already one month into the financial year 2021-22, the filing of BRSR was made voluntary for that year and mandatory for financial year 2022-23. But when the amendments to… Continue reading The Onerous BRSR Core – Value Chain Reporting
The Purpose of Governance is the Governance of Purpose
Of late, the term “Purpose” is making a comeback of sorts in the boardrooms. For the past few years, as the world grappled with the pandemic, survival became the primary objective — a sort of Darwinian society. Yet, even in those uncertain times, there were calls emanating, calling for collaboration and for the society to… Continue reading The Purpose of Governance is the Governance of Purpose
Who is your CSO?
A popular aphorism goes like this: “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are”. Working on the same principle, if one knows the profile and background of the person leading ESG/Sustainability in a company, one can understand much about the organization’s focus. It is also crucial to understand, at what hierarchical… Continue reading Who is your CSO?
Carbon Credits & Indian CSR
The entire carbon credit system is fraught with volatilities. Adding fuel to the fire has been a recent development wherein the Zimbabwean government declared that it would claim half the revenue generated from offset projects developed in the country. All past agreements thus stand null and void [1]. It should also be noted that this… Continue reading Carbon Credits & Indian CSR