CII Karnataka hosted the 2nd edition of ESG Summit themed ‘Accelerating Sustainable Growth – Building the ESG Industry Agenda’. The focus of the event was on sustainability challenges in urban and tier 2 cities with the objective to highlight the importance of leadership and culture in ESG implementation, different pathways to achieving net-zero emissions successfully, the role of MSMEs in India’s ESG journey, and the future of investment through regulatory frameworks and green funds.
The Summit was inaugurated by Honourable Minister Eshwar Khandre, Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Government of Karnataka emphasized “Emerging economies like India have the opportunity to adopt cutting-edge solutions for sustainable, inclusive growth that prioritizes both environmental and social equity.
By investing in human capital and promoting fair policies, we can build a balanced economy. Karnataka is a leader on the HG Score index, with a score of 75 for 2023-24, thanks to years of collaboration between organizations and government. As Minister, I aim to instill best practices in environmental conservation and tackle climate change, ensuring sustainable development for future generations.”
“ESG shouldn’t just be a board subject. While governance and reporting are essential, true commitment comes from CEOs and CXOs walking the talk, engaging daily in ESG matters. This requires face time between sustainability teams and CEOs, influencing company direction. Our company’s goal is a 33% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, aligning with global and national targets.
We must measure, motivate, and ensure our actions today build a sustainable future for our grandchildren. The responsibility is on all of us, from our top executives to every employee, to make meaningful changes that will lead to a better planet for future generations,” said B Santhanam, past chairman, CII Southern Region & CEO – Asia Pacific and India, chairman, Saint-Gobain India.
“In our second edition of the ESG summit, our focus is on creating awareness throughout the value stream, from top corporations to tiered suppliers. These sessions aim to build empathy and awareness towards ESG, ensuring future business qualifies by being responsible to the environment and society. The objective is to invest in knowledge sharing, best practices, and regulatory updates, evolving into a forum that feeds valuable insights to policymakers and recognizes leadership in achieving ESG mandates,” said Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, immediate past chairman, CII Karnataka State Council & MD, Kennametal India.
N Venu, chairman, CII Karnataka State Council 2024-25 & MD & CEO – India & South Asia, Hitachi Energy emphasized India has set ambitious energy targets, both as intermediate milestones and long-term goals, with a clear vision for a sustainable energy future for all. Achieving these objectives requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, and the MSME sector plays a pivotal role in accelerating the country’s energy transition, particularly through the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices within their organizations.
The 2nd Edition of the CII Karnataka ESG Summit underscores this critical role by focusing on sustainability challenges in urban areas and the significant contribution of MSMEs to India’s ESG journey.
The White Paper on ESG approaches for MSMEs, prepared by the CII Green Business Centre, was released, outlining strategies to enhance sustainability practices within MSMEs.
This edition also marked the launch of the CII Karnataka ESG Recognitions, honouring companies such as BEL, Wipro, and Tata Hitachi Construction for their valuable contributions to advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. These organizations were celebrated for their active role in driving sustainable growth in Karnataka. The event also saw participation from across Karnataka like Mysore and Belagavi.
The summit covered several key topics aimed at advancing sustainability, including the decarbonization of industries, the promotion of renewable energy, and effective water and waste management. Panels also focused on fostering green innovation, sustainable financing, and procurement practices. A major theme throughout the event was the importance of financing and transparent reporting to support sustainability goals. The objective was to inspire actionable ideas, promote collaboration, and encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable business practices across various sectors.
Leading industries including Brigade Group, Kennametal India, Prestige Group, Kanara Consumers, Saint Gobain, 3M India, NR Group, EY, Hitachi Energy, O2 Power, Altair, Volvo India, ASM Technologies, Ayanna Renewables, Plansee, and Schevaran Laboratories shared and showcased their insights which was attended by over 150 industry CXO’s and stakeholders across sectors.