OPINIONS

In an age when environmental consciousness defines every action, the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) is a leading light for industry-led environmental stewardship. The global body, launched in 1999 by ten leading cement companies, has significantly moved the cement industry practices and performance to a higher level of sustainability. The last decade has seen a...

Creating an effective learning environment is essential for fostering meaningful engagement and nurturing creativity among learners. In a child’s life, three primary influences act as teachers: the first being the parents or family, the second being the classroom facilitator, and the third being the environment itself, which plays a crucial role in igniting learning. A...

India stands at the cusp of a transformative era, driven by its young workforce, with a median age significantly lower than many other countries. This burgeoning workforce is poised to contribute towards unprecedented future economic growth. As the world's most populous country, India's working-age population is set to grow until 2049, presenting both an...

In an era where environmental sustainability is paramount, the management of biodegradable waste presents a critical challenge. The conventional approach of landfilling not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also fails to harness the potential energy contained within organic waste. It is estimated that, globally, 30-70 million tonnes of methane is emitted from...

India faces significant challenges due to climate change in various sectors from agriculture to water resources & urban planning.Climate changes pose significant challenges for India, a country marked by its vast geographical diversity. India is experiencing rising temperature, erratic monsoon patterns, and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, Droughts, & Cyclones. These...

CSR is no longer a buzzword. The corporate world has been committed to social responsibility for decades, especially after being statutorily mandated to ‘give back to the society’ with the introduction of Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013. Companies and large business conglomerates have willingly come up with CSR initiatives, charitable efforts, and...

According to the World Bank, Sustainable Finance is the process of taking due account of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) of a company while making investment decisions in the financial sector, leading to increased longer-term investments into sustainable economic activities and projects.  While the core concept of ESG investing has existed for centuries, the recent...

For years, conventional agriculture has been practised throughout the country, where it aims to bring in profit from a particular patch of land, heavily relying on chemical fertilisers, weedicides, and pesticides. In conventional agriculture, there is a notable emphasis on maximizing profits akin to an industrial production system. Unfortunately, this often comes at the...

Imagine a breathtaking beach brimming with life, its turquoise seas gleaming in the sun. Visualize the same view turned into a wasteland of plastic bags, soda cans, and abandoned fishing nets. Unfortunately, this dismal transition is more than just a coastal tragedy. This is the reality 400 kilometres above us, where thousands of defunct...

A timeline of sustainability reporting: from voluntary to mandatory It’s interesting to look at the evolution of sustainability reporting. What started decades ago as voluntary reporting by a select few corporates in service industry who had ADR/GDRs, has now evolved to mandatory reporting for listed companies and customer related pressure for reporting in case of...

Over the past few decades, India has seen a remarkable improvement in its trade and infrastructure and is now poised to become the third-largest economy soon. However, Healthcare, a key driving force for this growth, still faces a significant challenge with uneven distribution of services and resources across India. The healthcare landscape in India is...

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved into a potent force for businesses to invest in and nurture a sustainable ecosystem that empowers future leaders in India. While the Government's efforts are commendable, a collaborative approach is essential for ensuring global competitiveness, especially in the education sector. According to the NITI Ayog annual report, about...