Industry and Academia Come Together to Inspire Action, Innovation, and Responsibility
NEW DELHI (India CSR): As the world unites once again to mark World Environment Day 2025, a powerful wave of commitment is rising across India’s corporate boardrooms, engineering labs, academic campuses, and manufacturing floors. This year’s theme—centered around restoring ecosystems, eliminating plastic pollution, and fostering sustainable practices—has sparked bold declarations, deeply personal reflections, and action-oriented strategies from leaders who are shaping the future of business and society.
From climate-resilient agriculture to recycled PET innovation, and from satellite-powered pollution tracking to hands-on student-led green initiatives, India’s changemakers are walking the talk. On this occasion, industry veterans, academic leaders, sustainability officers, and innovation pioneers have come forward to share their insights, values, and unwavering belief in the power of purposeful action.
This article brings together their voices—unfiltered and unchanged—as a testament to collective resolve and the shared responsibility to protect the planet we call home.
PMI: Project Management as a Path to Environmental Excellence
Quote from Amit Goyal, Managing Director for South Asia at PMI:
“Project management plays a crucial role in championing sustainability by embedding resource efficiency and waste reduction into every stage of execution. On this World Environment Day, we recognize the power of project leaders in shaping eco-conscious strategies that drive lasting impact. Lean methodologies help streamline processes, minimizing excess and ensuring materials serve a meaningful purpose. Sustainable procurement prioritizes responsible sourcing, reinforcing resilient and ethical supply chains. Smarter energy use reduces environmental strain while enhancing operational effectiveness.
At PMI, we recognize the importance of structured approaches to sustainability, and we have committed to strengthening our project management methodologies to embed these principles further. Sustainability is no longer an isolated initiative—it is a business imperative, woven into the way we plan, execute, and deliver results. As industries evolve, we are committed to balancing innovation with responsibility, leading the shift toward a more sustainable future for businesses, communities, and the planet.”
Diligent India: Community-Driven Sustainability in Action
Quote from Srinivas Chamarthy, Senior Vice President Engineering, Site Lead and Country Head, Diligent India:
“World Environment Day acts as a reminder that protecting the planet is a shared responsibility, giving both individuals and institutions the opportunity to be agents of change. That said, at the heart of everything we do at Diligent India is our commitment towards supporting environmental sustainability and contributing to community welfare.
We believe in encouraging our employees to support the local communities and take small steps towards preserving the environment. Recently, as part of Global Day of Service, we initiated a lake restoration project at Iblur Lake in Bellandur, Bengaluru. Over 180 employees came together to help restore the lake by installing floating gardens – an ecological intervention designed to de-silt the waterbody, improve water quality, and revive biodiversity.
Building on this momentum, and in line with World Environment Day, we are also engaging employees through an awareness session focused on the importance of waste segregation and sustainable practices. As part of this, we’re hosting a hands-on workshop on making planters from discarded plastic bottles—promoting recycling and reusing everyday materials. Through these ongoing efforts, we aim to foster a culture of responsible citizenship and environmental stewardship within our organization.”
Somaiya Vidyavihar University: Instilling Green Values in Students
Quote from Dr Urmi Thakkar, Dean, Students Welfare, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai:
“Sustainability isn’t something that is taught in isolation. It’s something that students should live, experience, and internalise every day.
The goal isn’t to chase perfection, but to cultivate a mindset, one where nothing is treated as single-use, and sustainability becomes second nature. If we expect our youth to lead the future, we must first empower them to respect the planet they’re inheriting, with tools, experiences, and values rooted in real-world responsibility.
From zero-waste campuses and rainwater harvesting to composting systems, solar-powered mobility, and student-led innovations and many more, we ensure that sustainability is not a theory, but a practice.”
L&T Finance: A Call to Action on Plastic Pollution
Quote from Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer, L&T Finance Ltd.:
“As sustainability leaders, we carry the responsibility to move beyond awareness to urgent action against many sustainability topics/aspects, including plastic pollution. The use of single-use plastic has resulted in an environmental crisis that is now impacting human health, biodiversity, and the overall well-being of our planet. From clogging waterways and choking marine life to microplastics entering our food chain, the impact is far-reaching and deeply concerning.
If we do not act now, the damage could soon become irreversible. It is not just an environmental challenge, it is also a social, economic, and public health issue. While policy changes and innovations in sustainable packaging are critical, real change will begin with accountability, adaptability, and collective commitment.
‘The time to act is now’ Whether it’s through reducing plastic use, supporting circular economy models, or driving behavioural change, every step counts. The future demands leadership and decisive steps for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.
Acting now isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity.”
Pernod Ricard India: Transforming Agriculture Through Climate-Resilience
Quote from Gagandeep Sethi, Senior Vice President – Integrated Operations, Sustainability & Responsibility, Pernod Ricard India:
“At Pernod Ricard India, we recognize that climate change is no longer a distant concern, but a reality that demands urgent and collective action. Its impacts are already being felt across India’s agricultural systems, with farming communities bearing the brunt. Unseasonably cool summers, irregular rainfall, declining soil quality, and water scarcity are realties that farmers face year after year.
On World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to build climate-resilient agricultural systems that support and empower farming communities as they navigate these changes.At Pernod Ricard India (PRI) we adopt a bottom-up approach to collaborate with farming communities to design solutions that are inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable over time. This ensures that the strategies are responsive to local needs and designed for long-term success. We do this through multifaceted, impact-driven approach.
PRI’s programs focus on long-term transformation through regenerative agriculture. Our programs demonstrate the benefits of sustainable practices through eight Farmer Producer Organizations and Kisan Sansadhan Kendras, we work with more than 4,000 farmers across five states to promote sustainable practices. These practices have led to up to 20% higher crop yield; 22% reduction in input costs and improved soil health. By reducing dependency on chemical inputs and promoting agroforestry and diversified income sources, we are not only lowering our environmental impact but also building long-term resilience by creating alternative income streams and improving ecosystem health.
Water scarcity is one of the most visible and urgent consequences of climate change. Since 2019, PRI has built 2,355 groundwater recharge structures, creating a recharge potential of 4,484 million litres of groundwater — replenishing more than 2.6 times the groundwater used in our operations. These efforts significantly improve water security in agricultural regions, particularly in drought-prone areas, and help safeguard livelihoods from climate-related disruptions.
The future of agriculture will depend on how effectively we act today. At Pernod Ricard India, we will continue to co-create solutions that are inclusive, adaptive, and built to endure.”
WRMS Global: Community-Led Climate Adaptation
Quote from Dr. Ashish Agarwal, Co-Founder & CTO, WRMS Global:
“Winning the battle against plastic pollution is not just about eliminating waste—it’s about rebuilding the balance between people, planet, and progress. At WRMS, we see firsthand how plastic pollution exacerbates climate hazards, upends ecosystems, and jeopardizes exposure for the rural communities we are trying to protect. This World Environment Day, as India strengthens its commitment through the Aravalli Green Wall (AGW) initiative, it is a good time to remember that reclaiming our natural landscapes is imperative while also ending human-made pollutants to ensure we build true climate adaptation. Let’s plant trees, ban plastics, and build green corridors that serve as nature’s risk buffers. A sustainable future will take collective action—based on science, facilitated by communities, and oriented towards scaling, and innovation.”
Satyukt Analytics: Monitoring Pollution From Space
Quote from Dr. Yukti Gill, MD & Co-Founder, Satyukt Analytics:
“Plastic pollution is now in our soils, our waters, and food systems, posing unseen risks for human health and environmental sustainability. At Satyukt Analytics, we leverage satellite intelligence to monitor and manage our land and water resources, and we see the increasing footprint of plastic waste on different ecosystems. This World Environment Day, we must go beyond cleanup to prevention – to use data, innovation, and collective will to stop plastic pollution at its source. A cleaner planet starts with informed action.”
revalyu Group: Turning Waste into Wealth
Quote from Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder – revalyu Group:
“Companies are increasingly recognising plastic as a valuable resource with immense untapped potential. India has emerged as a global leader, recycling over 95% of all PET bottles, driven by stringent EPR regulations and growing demand for sustainable materials. At the forefront is revalyu, pioneering a first-of-its-kind glycolysis-based chemical recycling technology that transforms post-consumer PET waste into high-quality rPET chips. Used across textiles, packaging, and bottling, this low-energy, low-water, zero-liquid-discharge process supports circular economy goals. It also helps industries significantly reduce their environmental impact while ensuring compliance and long-term sustainability. Such innovations are turning plastic waste from an environmental challenge into a valuable and scalable resource.”
Achilles Information: Greening the Supply Chain
Quote from Smitha Shetty, Regional Director, APAC – Achilles Information Limited:
“On World Environment Day, we are reminded that the responsibility to protect our planet rests with all of us. At Achilles, we believe in harnessing the collective power of industry, data, and responsible procurement to drive the transition toward clean energy and low-impact supply chains. By enabling businesses to work with verified, ethical, and environmentally aligned suppliers, we not only reduce risk but actively contribute to the global push for a just energy transition. A sustainable future is not a distant goal. It is a shared commitment that begins with everyday decisions.”
Axis Solutions Limited: Engineering a Cleaner Industrial Future
Quote from Dr. Bijal Sanghvi, Managing Director – Axis Solutions Limited:
“Sustainability is the foundation of Axis Solutions Limited’s engineering, manufacturing, and innovation processes. In every aspect of our business, we employ precision-led design, ethically sourced materials, and ecologically friendly manufacturing techniques. Our long-term objective is to reduce factory carbon emissions and eliminate environmentally harmful waste. We are dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic in our packaging, converting to recyclable materials, and promoting circular economy principles across our value chain. Axis is constantly striving for a more sustainable and clean industrial future where developing new technologies and protecting the environment go hand in hand.”
Salesforce India: Empowering Change Through Purpose-Driven Business
Quote from Sanket Atal, Managing Director – Operations & Technology, Salesforce India:
“At Salesforce, we believe that business is one of the greatest platforms for change. Our 1-1-1 model of corporate philanthropy, which dedicates 1% of our time, equity, and product to giving back, is a cornerstone of this belief. We are proud to work with the non-profits, education institutions, and community leaders across India, providing the support and resources needed to drive lasting impact. We are committed to continuing our efforts to address the most pressing challenges of our time. These grants exemplify how collaboration fuels real change and creates a more equitable and sustainable future.”
Roundglass Foundation: Building a Greener Punjab from the Ground Up
Quote from Vishal Chowla, Leader, Roundglass Foundation, a non-profit promoting environment and sustainability, youth development, and women empowerment
“At Roundglass Foundation, sustainability is not just a concept—it’s a lived reality rooted deeply in the communities we serve. By enabling sustainable practices at the grassroots, we are creating global models for social change that can be replicated to scale, anywhere in the world. In Punjab, where forest cover is critically low, we’ve planted over 3 million native trees in collaboration with village communities and are committed to taking this number to 1 billion by 2035. These trees are more than just green cover; they are living solutions to environmental challenges. They are giving us cleaner air to breathe, mitigating climate change by capturing atmospheric carbon, restoring local biodiversity, and replenishing groundwater for future generations.
Equally important is our work in rural waste management. We’ve built decentralized waste management systems in more than 300 villages, making them litter and plastic free, cleaned over 200 water bodies, and engaged with village communities to enable behaviour change at the household level. More than 57,000 rural households now segregate their waste at home. This has not only led to cleaner environments but also empowered village communities to take ownership of their health and surroundings.
Our regenerative agriculture program is another pillar of our sustainability mission. By promoting sustainable farming practices, we’re helping farmers revive soil health, reduce water usage, and secure their livelihoods—creating a model where both nature and people thrive.
This World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Punjab—grounded in local action and collective responsibility. Real change happens when communities come together, and we are proud to walk that path, hand-in-hand, with them.”
Embassy Group: Waste-to-Impact Transformation Through EcoGram
Quote from Shaina Ganapathy, Head – Community Outreach Initiatives, Embassy Group
Over the past years, plastic has integrated itself into every inch of modern life. Its convenience and versatility and easy to use feature has revolutionized industries, healthcare, and daily living. Yet, this very ubiquity has come at a dangerous cost. Each year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems, while microplastics accumulate in soil through sewage, landfills, and the use of plastics in agricultural products.
At Embassy Group, we believe that mobilising true change, whether in tackling plastic waste or restoring ecosystems—requires collective action. Since 2016, in partnership with The Anonymous Indian Charitable Trust (TAICT), we’ve worked to address environmental degradation in Bettahalasuru Panchayat, North Bengaluru, transforming waste management and local engagement.
Initially, the Panchayat faced serious challenges: 53 tonnes of unmanaged waste were generated monthly, leading to pollution and low awareness about sustainable living. Through EcoGram, a replicable, end-to-end waste management model, we introduced systematic collection, segregation, and processing of waste, resulting in the recycling of over 1,100 tonnes of dry waste, saving thousands of trees and significant landfill space. Today, Tarahunise village and seven others under EcoGram witness 96% segregation at source and a cleaner environment.
However, ecosystem restoration extends beyond waste management and involves empowering communities to take ownership of their environment. Our initiatives, like the EcoGram Shakthi program and educational tools such as Trashonomics, have fostered local leadership and awareness. In 2022, we built the EcoHub, which is an integrated solid waste management centre that benefits over 4,000 households.
At Embassy, we are committed to giving back to society while fostering a culture of corporate sustainability and ensuring the preservation of our environmental ecosystem through our services and offerings, towards realizing our dream of “Living in Harmony with Nature.”
Avaada Group: Turning Environmental Challenges into ‘Mission Possible’
Quote from Vineet Mittal, Chairman of Avaada Group.
“When hope is paired with purpose, it becomes possibility. This campaign isn’t just about awareness—it’ is about awakening. If we face the consequences together, we must also create solutions together. ‘Mission Possible with Avaada’ is not just a campaign; it is a mindset. When each of us acts—step by step, action by action—‘Impossible’ transforms into ‘I’m Possible’.”
Grundfos: Enabling Sustainable Industry Through Smarter Solutions
Quote from Shankar Rajaram, Area Sales Director – Industry, INDO Region, Grundfos
“As industries evolve, sustainability must lead the way. At Grundfos, we believe that the future of manufacturing is defined not just by efficiency but by responsibility—reducing resource consumption, minimising emissions, and preserving the planet for generations to come.
Water and energy are the lifeblood of industry, yet their overuse puts immense strain on our environment. It is time for a shift—from consumption to conservation, from waste to reuse, and from outdated methods to innovative, sustainable solutions.
Our intelligent solutions help industries optimise energy and water use, ensuring that every drop and every watt counts. By integrating smarter technologies, we empower businesses to achieve their production goals while reducing their environmental footprint. The path to sustainability is not just a choice—it is imperative.
On this World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to driving change, enabling industries to make sustainability not just an ambition but a measurable reality. Together, we can build a future where progress and environmental stewardship are in harmony.”
AmpereHour Energy: Powering the Renewable Future with Energy Storage Innovation
Quote from Ayush Misra, CEO & Co-Founder, AmpereHour Energy
“This Environment Day, we reflect on the urgent need to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s a present-day reality. At AmpereHour Energy, we believe scalable, reliable energy storage is essential to a future powered entirely by renewables.
Future electrical demand from Electric Vehicles, AI Data Centres cannot be powered through a 20th century power grid paradigm. Sophisticated control systems coupled with new age electrochemistry based Energy storage buffers to store and smoothen intermittent renewable energy is key to maintaining grid stability in the future.
Our recently commissioned BESS plant at BRPL’s 33 kV Distribution substation provides a glimpse of what the future entails. Systems like these provide flexibility and resilience that the renewable energy heavy grid of the future will need. We’re proud to be shaping a cleaner, greener grid and remain committed to innovation that protects both people and the planet.”
SBL Energy: Making Explosives Safer and Greener
Quote from Shubham Choudhari, Chief Technology Officer, SBL Energy Ltd.
“Sustainability is fast becoming the foundation of industrial decision-making, and the explosives sector is no exception. Traditionally associated with environmental disruption, the industry is now evolving with a clear focus on reducing its ecological impact through innovation and responsibility. Electronic detonators, designed for precision blasting, are reducing over-break, ground vibration, and dust generation, making operations safer and more environmentally conscious. Nitrate-free explosives, such as hydrogen peroxide emulsion formulations, are emerging as viable alternatives that help cut carbon emissions and eliminate nitrate contamination. At SBL Energy, we believe this is the direction the industry must move in. By investing in sustainable explosive technologies, cleaner manufacturing, and responsible supply chains, we are committed to enabling growth that respects both productivity and the planet.”
BLS International: Purpose-Driven Tourism for a Greener Tomorrow
Quote from Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International
“World Environment Day on June 5 is a global call to action—urging us all to embrace sustainable choices in every part of life, including travel. Sustainability is no longer an afterthought in tourism; it’s becoming the core. Today’s travellers—especially millennials and Gen Z—are driven by purpose. They seek destinations untouched by industrialization, where nature and culture thrive in harmony.
Countries like Spain and Slovakia are leading by example, promoting responsible tourism through eco-certified stays, green trails, and low-impact travel initiatives that protect their stunning natural heritage. This shift is reshaping tourism into a powerful catalyst for environmental care, delivering meaningful experiences while preserving the planet. From reducing paper use to cutting carbon emissions, the travel industry is embracing its role in building a greener future.”Allcargo Group: Leading India’s Green Logistics Transition
Quote from Suresh Kumar R., Managing Director, Allcargo Terminals Limited and ESG Head – Allcargo Group
”World Environment Day serves as one more reminder of the interdependence between humankind and the environment. While raising awareness and offering a platform for collaboration to address environmental concerns, it also reiterates the importance of making conscious choices while keeping environmental sustainability at the core.
At Allcargo Group, we remain committed to our mission to chart sustainable pathways and our vision to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2040. As a part of that goal, we are working on multiple fronts across the Group – adoption of renewable energy and alternative fuels and greener logistics practices. For instance, Allcargo Terminals’ (ATL) Chennai facility already runs on 70% renewable energy through solar rooftops and open access. Five of our seven ATL sites are solar energy-equipped, with capacity expansion under way. ATL has increased its fleet of electric forklifts from 10% to 25%, and ASCPL (Allcargo Supply Chain Private Limited) has transitioned to 100% electric material handling equipment across all warehouse facilities. Additionally, ASCPL has deployed sensor-based genset IoT systems to track and improve fuel efficiency.
As a part of our community upliftment and environmental stewardship initiative, we recently completed a rainwater harvesting, storage and ground water recharge project at Sawangi Tehsil in Nagpur to address the issue of water scarcity in that area, revitalise agricultural activities and rural economy. The project has positively impacted the livelihood of over four thousand people. This initiative is the latest in a series of long-term community development programs we are committed to.
This year’s theme ‘Putting an End to Plastic Pollution’ resonates with us as we are working towards reducing environmental impact by adopting sustainable alternatives. In June 2023, we declared our Mumbai headquarter Allcargo House completely plastic free. Single-use plastic items are now barred at Allcargo House and reusable cloth bags are made available on premises. We also undertake beach clean-up drives as part of our efforts to raise awareness on the adverse impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.
__Our efforts extend globally as well. The Allcargo Group’s global subsidiary ECU Worldwide has introduced Greenwayz, a sustainable shipping solution powered by biofuel in the Nordic region. We have plans to expand this initiative in a phased manner across key trade lanes. The ECU Worldwide office in Antwerp has been regularly participating in the Annual Port Clean-Up to remove plastics, discarded fishing nets and other debris that could endanger the marine environment.
Environment sustainability is a collective effort in which every supply chain stakeholder has a role to play. Going forward, we will sharpen our focus on integrating circular economy principles into our operations.”
Hitech Radiators: Embracing Circularity in Heavy Industry
Quote from Kartik Daftari, Managing Director and CEO, Hitech Radiators Pvt. Ltd.
“Sustainable manufacturing needs to go from being an ideal to a reality as climate change speeds up and industries are held to higher standards of environmental responsibility. At Hi-Tech Radiators Pvt. Ltd., we believe that sustainable production that satisfies global demand while respecting ecological limits is the way of the future for heavy industries. We reaffirm our commitment to minimizing our environmental impact through energy-efficient processes, galvanized products with longer life cycles, and adherence to the highest international quality and sustainability standards on this World Environment Day.
Our ethos is rooted in environmental safekeeping, and we encourage industry peers and local communities to work together to accelerate innovations in responsible sourcing, green manufacturing, and circular economy practices.”
AGI Glaspac: Prioritizing Public Health Through Safe Glass Packaging
Quote from Rajesh Khosla, CEO, AGI, Greenpac
The imperative to build a sustainable future is an immediate global necessity. The way we design, use, and manage packaging materials profoundly impacts our planet. Today, global material production, including plastic exceeding 430 million tonnes annually, presents significant waste challenges, with only a small fraction effectively recycled. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions and a global shift towards circularity.
As a leading glass packaging products company, we recognize our responsibility and also see an opportunity to drive meaningful change. Glass, with its inherent circularity and infinite recyclability, stands as a cornerstone of sustainable packaging. We are deeply committed to advancing sustainable packaging solutions by leveraging glass’s intrinsic advantages, strengthening circular economy systems, and improving waste management infrastructure. This means continuously innovating to enhance the efficiency and light weighting of our glass packaging, while championing its unparalleled recyclability and supporting the broader shift towards genuinely circular material choices.
The most significant transformation needed is in our collective mind-set, moving from convenience to conscious consumption and responsible material stewardship. On this World Environment Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the planet by driving measurable action across every aspect of the packaging value chain and promoting truly sustainable alternatives across every sector.
Rohit Bhagwat: Ending plastic pollution globally
Quote from Rohit Bhagwat, Office managing principal and global ESG working group member at ZS
“At ZS, we view sustainability as more than just a goal. It is integrated in how we operate, innovate, and lead by example. We have proactively eliminated single-use plastics from our India offices and are deeply committed to fostering sustainable practices across our teams and partners. Our efforts are grounded in the belief that meaningful progress stems from aligning business growth with responsible environmental commitment.
By optimizing our production and waste management processes to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency, we can support India’s growing momentum to adopt eco-friendly plastic alternatives. The government’s initiatives, such as the Plastics Innovation Hub and supportive policies encouraging circular economy models, are key drivers in this transition.
For ZS, our commitment extends beyond plastic reduction. We are proud that our net zero targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring our dedication to operate with integrity and climate accountability. As we focus on the theme of World Environment Day 2025 which is ‘Ending Plastic Pollution Globally’, we stand united with the global community, driving innovation, collaboration, and accountability to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”
You Learn: A Unified Vision for a Sustainable Tomorrow
The voices shared this World Environment Day 2025 echo a single, undeniable truth: sustainability is no longer a siloed effort or a distant ambition—it is a shared responsibility that demands urgent, inclusive, and scalable action. From empowering farmers and youth to revolutionizing industrial processes and supply chains, these leaders across sectors are not merely observing the day; they are shaping the future.
Their words remind us that climate resilience, circular economies, plastic elimination, and ecosystem restoration are not stand-alone goals—they are interconnected elements of a new way of living, building, and doing business. Whether through project leadership, employee engagement, educational reform, or cutting-edge innovation, their collective message is clear: the time to act is now.
As we reflect on these insights, let us carry forward the inspiration and urgency they bring. Because a cleaner, greener, and more just planet will not emerge from intention alone—but from consistent, courageous, and collaborative action.
(India CSR)
