CII Karnataka 2024 Summit Highlights ESG Agenda, Launches Whitepaper

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Karnataka organised the second edition of its ESG Summit, themed “Accelerating Sustainable Growth - Building the ESG Industry Agenda,” focusing on addressing sustainability challenges in urban and Tier-2 cities.

The summit emphasised leadership, pathways to achieving net-zero emissions, the role of MSMEs in India's ESG journey, and the future of investment driven by regulatory frameworks and green financing.

The event was inaugurated by Karnataka's Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Eshwar Khandre, who underscored the State's commitment to sustainable growth. "Emerging economies like India have the opportunity to adopt cutting-edge solutions for sustainable, inclusive growth that prioritise both environmental and social equity. Karnataka's leadership on the HG Score index, with a score of 75 for 2023-24, is a testament to years of collaboration between organisations and government. As Minister, my focus is on fostering best practices in environmental conservation and addressing climate change to ensure a sustainable future,” he stated.

Prominent industry leaders shared their perspectives, with  B. Santhanam, CEO – Asia Pacific and India, and Chairman of Saint-Gobain India, emphasising the need for executive-level involvement in ESG. “ESG must extend beyond boardroom discussions. It requires active engagement from CEOs and CXOs to align corporate actions with sustainability goals. At Saint-Gobain, we are committed to reducing CO₂ emissions by 33 percent by 2030. Sustainability demands accountability at all levels of an organisation to build a better future for generations to come.”

Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director of Kennametal India Ltd, highlighted the summit’s role in fostering awareness and empathy across the value chain. “This edition focuses on knowledge-sharing and evolving into a forum that provides insights for policymakers and recognises ESG leadership,” he said.

N. Venu, Chairman of the CII Karnataka State Council and MD & CEO - India & South Asia, Hitachi Energy, spoke about the critical role of MSMEs in India's energy transition. “Achieving India’s ambitious energy targets will require the collective efforts of all stakeholders, and MSMEs are pivotal to this journey. By adopting robust ESG practices, they can accelerate the nation’s progress towards sustainability,” he noted.

A key highlight of the summit was the release of a White Paper on ESG approaches for MSMEs, prepared by the CII Green Business Centre. The paper outlined strategies to enhance sustainability practices among MSMEs, which play a vital role in India’s industrial ecosystem.

The summit also marked the introduction of the CII Karnataka ESG Recognitions, celebrating companies like BEL, Wipro, and Tata Hitachi Construction for their significant contributions to advancing ESG practices. These awards recognised their leadership in driving sustainable growth and their commitment to environmental and social governance.

The event, which witnessed participation from over 150 industry leaders and stakeholders, covered critical topics such as decarbonisation, renewable energy promotion, water and waste management, green innovation, and sustainable financing. Panels emphasised the importance of transparent reporting and financing mechanisms to support sustainability goals, aiming to inspire actionable strategies and encourage collaboration across sectors.

Firms such as Brigade Group, Kennametal India Ltd, Prestige Group, 3M India, Hitachi Energy, O2 Power, and others showcased their sustainability initiatives at the summit, reinforcing their commitment to ESG principles.