SDGs still remain relevant for accelerating focussed sustainability actions by Indian businesses

The discussion paper articulates a call to action for Indian businesses to act on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the post COVID19 world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only proved to be disruptive, but has also brought to fore the shortcomings of the world in managing crises of such scale and magnitude. While the nature and extent of the all-round impacts of the COVID-19 crisis are yet to be seen, for businesses, a paradigm shift in thoughts and actions will be of paramount importance and key to ensuring business continuity and long-term sustainability. Today, more than every, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hold greater significance and relevance to enhance and accelerate business action on sustainability to ensure a secure and sustainable future for all.

The discussion paper titled 'SDGs still remain relevant for accelerating focussed sustainability actions by Indian businesses' articulates a Call-to-Action for Indian businesses to act on SDGs, particularly in the post-COVID-19 world. By means of its six key messages it illustrates and demonstrates the need and the ways to apply SDG lens to business strategy and actions in order to design focused sustainability actions; and the results that businesses can achieve by internalising the SDGs.

Through its ongoing partnership with the National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, TERI aims to augment and accelerate business action on SDGs in India. By adopting a two-pronged approach it is looking at developing: (1) Industry sector-specific SDG roadmaps basis the National Indicator Framework (NIF), developed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to enable deeper business action on SDGs in India; and (2) Mechanisms to consolidate and report business actions on SDGs in India, leveraging the existing mandatory reporting frameworks and mechanisms in order to mainstream SDG reporting by Indian businesses.

We look forward to receiving your suggestions/comments on the Discussion Paper. The comments may be sent to pooja.kumar@teri.res.in or to businesscouncil@teri.res.in.