New Delhi: The Indian ESG Network, in association with Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), successfully hosted its 1st edition of Indian ESG conclave at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The event brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from various industries to deliberate and discuss ESG-related issues. Bhagawanth Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, New and Renewable Energy graced in the event virtually and emphasized the importance of ESG practices for building a sustainable future.
The conclave focused on promoting ESG consciousness for the betterment of people, planet, and profit, and aimed to raise awareness and improve understanding of the green economy. The Indian ESG Network Awards were presented to organizations across different categories, including Best ESG Practice – Large Indian Corporate / MNCs, Best ESG Practice – Indian, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), and ESG Enabler of the Year (Organization).
The overall objectives of the Indian ESG Network Awards were to inspire firms to include ESG into their core operations, provide guidance for ESG reporting, assess ESG performance and growth, and evaluate themselves against the industry as a whole and chosen industry peers. The awards also aimed to assist investors in recognising ESG leaders and laggards in their portfolios, making active investing decisions by peer benchmarking, determining who is leading on a theme, and selecting investments appropriately.
Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC, expressed his appreciation for the event and said, “We are proud to be associated with the Indian ESG Network in promoting sustainable development through ESG practices. The event has provided a platform for industry leaders to come together and discuss the way forward for a green economy.”
Raman Kumar Sharma, Senior Advisor, ASDC, said: “The aim of the ESG Network is to unite all stakeholders of the ecosystem on a common platform. The automotive industry, together with surrounding villages and communities, is committed to environmental sustainability, which can be achieved through ESG initiatives. The benefits of such efforts would extend to both the environment and human civilization. ASDC is playing a crucial role in training the youth to be skilled in electrification within the automotive industry, with a special emphasis on how ESG can be supported. This training will help in achieving a sustainable ecosystem and creating a brighter future for generations to come.” The Indian ESG Network and ASDC believe that recognizing and felicitating organizations for their ESG practices will inspire firms to include ESG into their core operations, assist investors in recognizing ESG leaders and laggards in their portfolios, encourage banks to promote greener finance and sustainable business practices, and aid regulators and policymakers in recognizing organizations that are making a difference through ESG activities.
“We are delighted to host this year’s ESG conclave, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from policymakers, thought leaders, and practitioners. We congratulate all the participants of the Indian ESG Network Awards and appreciate their remarkable contributions towards achieving sustainable development goals. We look forward to continuing our journey from India@75 to India@100, with a focus on promoting ESG consciousness,” said Vikrant Abrol, Founder Indian ESG Network. The ESG Conclave 2023 served as a call to action for organizations across India to adopt and implement ESG practices for a sustainable future.
