In India, with the 2070s net-zero goal coming closer every day, things have shifted.
By Gaurav Bhagat
With Earth Day around the corner, I can’t help but notice a shift taking place inside Indian boardrooms. Not long ago, sustainability was just another item on a company’s to-do list, done for regulations or for some nice lines in the annual report. Now it’s become the sharpest tool for winning customers, attracting great employees, and boosting company valuations. I’ve watched this change firsthand, and I’m convinced: sustainability isn’t just another cost. It’s starting to define who wins in Indian business.
The Rise of the Conscious Indian Consumer
Walk into a mall in any big city or look at what young influencers are posting online, and it’s clear that Indian shoppers care about more than price now. They care about values. Bain & Company’s 2024 survey says almost 80% of Indian consumers are deeply concerned about climate change and environmental sustainability. Even more impressive, 60% are willing to pay extra for eco-friendly products. PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey goes a step further: a big share of buyers doesn’t just talk about it; they actually spend up to 13% more for sustainable products.
It’s not a niche thing anymore. Ipsos’ most recent data show 92% of Indians worry about the environment. Parents buying for their kids, millennials picking out what to wear, companies deciding on corporate gifts, the question is always: Is this good for the planet?
From Box-Ticking to Real Advantage: The BRSR Effect
Regulations have sped things up. SEBI’s BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) mandate, which came into force for the top 1,000 listed companies last year, changed vague promises into real, measurable targets. Companies are now reporting Scope 3 emissions, which used to be optional. ICRA ESG Ratings found that over half of India’s top 100 listed companies have started disclosing these numbers.
Why is this important? Because investors are paying attention. Global funds move billions based on ESG scores. Hindustan Unilever tops the 2026 rankings, running on mostly renewable power. HCL Technologies, Grasim, Tata Motors, Dabur, these brands aren’t just making headlines; they’re setting a new bar for the market.
Renewable energy is another area where you see this momentum. India added over 16 GW of solar and wind just in the first half of 2025. Investment in renewables soared by 83% in 2024 to $16.5 billion. We’ve got 209 GW of non-fossil capacity, ranking us fourth in the world. The cost of green manufacturing is going down, and companies jumping in now are locking in cheaper energy and secure supply chains. Hesitate too long, and you’ll end up stuck with outdated tech and new penalties.
Green Leaders: Proof That It Pays Off
Look at the frontrunners and you see the pattern. ITC has been carbon-positive for over 20 years, water-positive for 23, and recycling-positive for 18. Mahindra rolled out India’s first internal carbon price ages ago, using it to guide every big spending decision. Tata Power’s rooftop solar efforts now reach across 90 cities.
It’s not just the big guys. Small and medium businesses that get certified for sustainability are becoming the top picks in global value chains. They secure exports, access green funding, and earn better margins. The best part? Sustainability is levelling the playing field. A small manufacturer in Coimbatore that switches to solar and eco-friendly packaging can now stand up to the multinationals.
Why Indian Businesses Need to Move Now
After 25+ years running businesses here, I’ve learned one lesson: markets always reward those who see changes coming and act quickly. Sustainability is that signal right now. Some companies stall, worried about costs or lack of demand, but I’ve seen others grab market share and win big.
The window’s open, but it’s closing fast. Net-zero by 2070 is India’s national goal, but businesses that chase it now will drive the next wave of growth. Those who wait will end up explaining to investors and customers why they missed out.
Green Desk India: Where We’re Putting Our Beliefs to Work
At Consortium Gifts, we started #GreenDeskIndia because, honestly, the corporate desk deserves more credit. It’s just a desk, right? Yet it’s where millions of Indians spend most of their workday, and it’s got so much untapped potential for real change. Look at all the stuff piled on your desk: pens, notepads, branded gifts. Every item tells a story. Maybe it wasted a ton of resources before landing in your hands, or maybe it didn’t. Some things head straight to a landfill after a few months, while others stick around, get reused, and spark a little appreciation. When you scale up those small choices across over 600 million people, you start to see how big the impact actually is.
Companies adopting sustainable gifting and linking it to their values don’t just look good; they do better. Employees stick around longer and get more involved. Gen Z cares, too; about one in three checks out a company’s environmental stance before saying yes to a job,says Deloitte’s numbers. When you make your desk greener, you’re not just ticking a sustainability box. You’re building a brand people want to join.
Conclusion: Sustainability is No Longer Optional, It’s the Ultimate Competitive Edge
In India, with the 2070s net-zero goal coming closer every day, things have shifted. People are spending differently, investors are chasing greener returns, the laws are only getting stiffer, and, honestly, dragging your feet is more expensive than taking action. Look around, the businesses that put sustainability at the centre aren’t just feeling good about themselves.
They’re winning bigger: better valuations, strong customer loyalty, a workforce that actually wants to be there, solid supply chains, and a ticket to global markets where “green” isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the price of entry. Anyone still counting sustainability as just a cost instead of a strategy is going to be left answering some hard questions, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, from shareholders, buyers, and young people looking for a reason to join. This is a thrilling moment for Indian companies.
We’re speeding into a future where growth and responsibility walk hand in hand. Businesses with the nerve to weave sustainability into their products, operations, culture, and even the gifts they hand outare going to set the pace. Safe to say, they’ll be the ones people talk about when they mention India’s global success stories in the next decade or two.
At Consortium Gifts, #GreenDeskIndia is how we’re getting in on this movement. It’s our way of saying real, lasting change doesn’t just start in boardrooms or because of some government memo. It starts right there at your desk, where everyday choices add up.
So, now’s the moment to ask yourself: What story is your company really telling the world with the choices you make? And what kind of legacy are you leaving for the ones who come after?
About the Author
Gaurav Bhagat, Founder and MD, Consortium Gifts.
(India CSR)
