“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.”
“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it still needs to go somewhere on our planet”.
As a relative newcomer to the inside workings of ESG and BRSR, one is fascinated to see that India’s enhanced Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework highlights an increasing emphasis on transparency, accountability, and emissions reduction. Simultaneously, significant innovations in sustainable materials and manufacturing practices—such as biodegradable plastics and artificial sand alternatives—are underscoring the role of technology in transitioning toward a more robust circular economy.
It is interesting to study and realize that global supply chains and high-emission industries such as automotive, construction, and plastics are at the forefront of this transformation. The key focus areas include embedding circularity in supply chains, reducing life-cycle emissions, and leveraging renewable energy.
The manufacturing sector is central to this sustainability revolution. One can see quality manufacturers starting to adapt in a major way by redesigning their products, adopting low-carbon technologies, and enhancing renewable energy procurement. Industries that proactively invest in green manufacturing practices—such as using recycled materials, optimizing production energy efficiency, and deploying carbon capture technologies—are positioning themselves as leaders in this evolving space.
One is also reading and realizing that more governments are enacting frameworks to align industrial practices with climate goals. Policies like, for example, India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules and the Global Plastics Treaty emphasize lifecycle management, reduction of virgin plastic use, and increased recycling.
The biggest realization and influencing factor is that consumers are demanding more sustainable products, which in turn is influencing corporate strategies. Sustainability-linked disclosures and the adoption of ESG frameworks is allowing investors to identify businesses committed to long-term sustainability. Brands that align with these expectations are not only gaining consumer trust but are also attracting green investments.
Sustainability trends clearly demonstrate a critical shift toward an integrated approach that combines technological innovation, regulatory enforcement, and collaborative effort across industries. Stakeholders are collectively addressing long-standing environmental challenges through circular economies, emissions transparency, and equitable frameworks.
While challenges remain, particularly the biggest ones being in achieving consistency across global frameworks, the progress made by manufacturing organizations and their supply chains signifies a promising trajectory
One trend that has become clear is the increase and expansion of mandatory disclosure requirements imposed by multiple jurisdictions around the globe. These requirements have been broken out into different types, each of which have unique consequences for companies in terms of their obligations and impact on operations and communications with stakeholders.
While progress on sustainability reporting frameworks and standards continues, it is important to avoid fragmented regulatory requirements and create support among jurisdictions all around the world for harmonized disclosures that are comparable, decision-useful and cost effective. Regulators would need to follow the principle of “equivalence” that has historically been applied to financial reporting and permit companies outside their own jurisdictions to use globally recognized standards to meet corresponding jurisdictional requirements. This would bring down the overall compliance costs for companies.
Greenwashing continues to remain an important issue. Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice where companies or organizations present themselves as environmentally friendly or sustainable, even when their actions or products clearly do not align with such claims. Or they highlight areas where they are making progress which is significant yet miniscule while hiding those areas which they are unable to or unwilling to tackle.
Greenwashing also seems to occur because companies seek to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for sustainable products and services, often without making significant changes to their practices. It typically works by using misleading labels, vague claims, or advertising campaigns that highlight minor environmental efforts while obscuring more significant environmental harm. This tactic misleads consumers, erodes trust, and undermines genuine sustainability efforts by creating confusion and skepticism about what constitutes environmentally responsible behavior. This has also led to a rise of consumer activists who are now taking on larger establishments to expose their false claims.
Recent discussions on greenwashing in India have highlighted a troubling trend where companies are accused of making false environmental claims, often with the complicity of ESG firms that help obscure the reality of their practices. A shocking revelation came when Securities and Exchange Board of India raised concerns about misleading disclosures in the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting submitted by various companies.
SEBI pointed out that some firms are presenting an overly positive picture of their environmental impact, claiming no significant harm while facing legal actions for violations of environmental laws. This disconnect has led to calls for stricter regulatory oversight to ensure transparency in ESG reporting.
Moreover, one does get to hear that certain ESG advisory firms are allegedly assisting these companies in crafting narratives that mask their real environmental impacts, further complicating the issue. This situation underscores the critical need for genuine sustainability practices and accurate reporting in India’s evolving corporate landscape.
Greenwashing, one truly believes, is a double-edged sword. It is obviously driven more by governmental mandates than an ideal case of moral responsibility towards stakeholders and consumers. Yet, as the demand for planet friendly and healthy products rises, the chances are, so will greenwashing. But there is immense hope.
At the end of the day, one thing becomes clear in every aspect of life. While compliance and penalties always speed up the start process of any new initiative, the real gamechanger happens when compliance is replaced by commitment.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
