Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) convened a diverse assembly of leaders, experts, and policy advocates for its 11th Annual India &  Sustainability Standards Summit 2024. The Summit was held from 13 to 15 November 2024 at India Habitat Centre, covering a diverse range of topics and thematic areas in over 25 sessions.

Every year, the India & Sustainability Standards Summit brings together eminent speakers, various corporate partners, and 1,500+ participants, including industry practitioners, private sector actors, renowned academicians and researchers from distinguished institutions, policymakers, civil society representatives, youth champions, and other diverse stakeholders to discuss sustainable practices in various industries and sectors.

The event’s inaugural plenary session, titled ‘Sustainability 2.0: Leveraging Opportunities, Balancing Trade-offs and Navigating Pitfalls,’ tackled pressing global challenges such as climate finance, just transition strategies, challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and responsible business practices. This year’s conference theme captured the growing need to balance economic imperatives with environmental and social considerations.

The inaugural plenary featured insights from distinguished dignitaries including Ambassador Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan; Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India; Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Secretary, Government of India and Senior Adviser, CRB; Lara Wolters, Member of the European Union (Rapporteur of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive); Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa India; and Farhad Vania, Portfolio Management Advisor to the Country Director, GIZ India and Board Member, CRB.

Key insights from eminent speakers at India & Sustainability Standards Summit 2024 

• Ambassador Herve Delphin emphasized the collaboration between India and the European Union, pointing out joint efforts in sustainable urbanization through initiatives like the circular economy and waste management. Delphin also pointed to India’s early involvement in significant initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance, where India has been a foundational partner alongside Europe. He emphasized India’s potential to emerge as a global leader in sustainability.
• Shombi Sharp highlighted the pressing global challenges in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that with 83% of the targets lagging, the world stands at a critical juncture. Despite this, Sharp pointed to India’s unique potential to drive the SDGs globally, emphasizing its growing role in forming coalitions for developmental cooperation. Sharp noted the numerous initiatives in India, such as CSR and sustainability reporting, that underscore the significant role of businesses in advancing these goals.
• Bhaskar Chatterjee emphasized India’s strong leadership, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a pivotal role at the G20 summit, uniting global leaders to address sustainability and showcase effective leadership.
• Lara Wolters highlighted the importance of fostering partnerships and collaborations in due diligence to identify, prevent, and mitigate risks to human rights and the environment, rather than merely ensuring product compliance.
• Amitabh Kant emphasized the need for businesses to pursue growth that is both responsible and inclusive. Highlighting the importance of showcasing success stories, he urged a redefinition of sustainability in the business context, calling for a fresh perspective on what it truly means for companies to operate sustainably.
• Rijit Sengupta, CEO, CRB, stated, “We need to find ways to translate global commitments into impactful actions through local interventions to drive change.”

The first day’s discussions at the India & Sustainability Standards Summit 2024 emphasized the urgency of adopting sustainable financial practices and strategies to empower individuals and institutions toward a sustainable future. Conversations highlighted the impact of climate change on women farmers, MSMEs, and marginalized communities, and how regulatory compliance challenges affect small and medium entrepreneurs. Key insights from some of the eminent speakers were:

Other key speakers at the India & Sustainability Standards Summit included:

• Sashidhar Vempala, Chief Sustainability Officer at Hindustan Unilever Ltd
• Aloka Majumdar, Global Head of Philanthropy & Sustainability Head at HSBC India
• Franck Viault, Minister Counsellor for the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan
• Karin Kreider, Executive Director of ISEAL Alliance
• Allan Jorgensen, Head of the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct
• Arun Maira, Former Planning CommissionMember, Government of India
• Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General of FISME
• Ajay Vir Jakhar, Chairperson of Bharat Krishak Samaj
• Sanyukta Samaddar, Principal Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh
• Neelam Chhiber, Founder & Director of Industree Crafts
• Richard Howitt, Former Member of the European Parliament
• Sonia Prashar, Secretary General, Federation of European Business in India
• Payal Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Manish Ranjan, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Uma Reddy, Senior Vice President at FKCCI
• Sudhanwa Kopardekar, Director at MCCI&A

About Centre for Responsible Business: The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) was established in 2011 as a think-tank to promote and facilitate the uptake of sustainable business practices across various industry sectors in India, through policy & action research and multi-stakeholder networks.