Programme Content
Post the Paris Agreement 2015 and COVID-19 thereafter, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has emerged as a linchpin in the global business narrative, reflecting a paradigm shift toward sustainable and responsible business practices. ESG is no longer viewed as a mere reporting requirement and has evolved into a strategic imperative for global and domestic organizations. Organizations that embrace ESG practices will not only mitigate climate risks but also position themselves as drivers of positive change which is no longer a choice but a strategic necessity.
The impact of this paradigm shift is visible in both financial and non-financial sectors. In the financial arena, ESG considerations are reshaping investment strategies and risk assessments. According to Bloomberg, Global ESG assets are on track to exceed $53 trillion by 2025, representing more than a third of the $140.5 trillion in projected total assets under management. This signifies a notable transformation in the landscape of asset and wealth management (AWM). Additionally, stakeholder activism and disclosure regulation are gaining momentum, compelling companies to respond to societal expectations and align their strategies with ESG principles.
In India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated the top 1,000 listed companies from 2023-24 to disclose Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core disclosures, which involves key ESG performance indicators. The recent regulation Framework for assurance and ESG disclosures for value chain by SEBI reinforced BRSR regulation. It means, both for the financial and non-financial sectors, ESG is becoming an integral part of evaluating a companys sustainability performance, driving sustainability strategy and corporate behavior.
