INSIGHTFUL PANEL DISCUSSION

ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) : Delivering a Brighter Future

The Moderator of this in si gh tf ul P an el Discussion was Industry Stalwart cum Veteran Mr . Sh an ta nu Bh ad ka mk ar , Managing Director –ATC Global Logistics Pvt.Ltd.

In his opening remark to set the tone of the discussion he spelled out histhoughtonthethemeofESGverybriefly

He commented: If one is not too sensitive about ESG, which may or may not be a new fad, it may cause a reputational risk. In fact, we all Indians have the tradition of charity for long period of time Equally, we all like to behave well and good because it makes us feel good. One doesn't need to have laws for Governance on it. In fact, Sustainability and frugality havebeenapartoflifeinIndiasinceyore.

Ms. Bhairavi Jani, Executive Director –SCAGroup:Inmyopinion,ESGisnotaboutsatisfaction orfeelinggood.Itisallaboutsolutions Sowehavetostart thinking about solutions. And while thinking about solutions, we initially need to change the way we think. Howmuchcanweeachonecontributetokeepourplanet safe is in our hands for own sustainability. In fact, whatever I am wearing is today is all sustainable fashion – meaning having zero carbon foot print. Doyouallknowwhatareyourcarbonfootprints?

So the first thing is change the way we think and this new thinking should be incorporated in o ur d ai ly l iv es

The reason being, we are fast approaching the 1.5DegreeCelsiusby2027 which is only 4 years from now. The Risks are ma ny b ey on d th at The Infrastructure will start crumbling with very extreme climate events forcing a complete breakdown of society. Therefore ESGistheonlysolutionforthecontinuityofourwayof life as human society going forward and the business whichservesthesesocieties.

Now most important part in this is played by the Leadership. If the Leadership of businesses are not committed to it, we will not make any progress. We won't be able to re-engineer our processes. Lastandnottheleast,alotofpeoplethinkthatESGwill enhance the cost structure but it actually will not. Infactifyoustartre-engineeringtheprocessandifyou start bringing in the measurement of carbon footprint and the measurement of sustainability footprint in yourbusiness–youwillrealisethatitactuallysavesyou a lot more money And in times to come there will a taxes and financial incentive for becoming sustainable organisation or ESG Complaint. So it is better to start early than being on tail end