On May 30th, I had the privilege of speaking at the National Symposium on Net Zero held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, organised by the NORMI Research Foundation. It was not only a platform to share ideas but also a much-needed gathering of minds committed to India’s climate leadership. I am deeply grateful to the organisers—Dr Bhavesh and Dr Gurdeep Singh of NORMI—for the invitation and hospitality.
It was a true honour to share the stage with respected figures such as Mr Anil Jauhri, former CEO of NABCB (now Chair of Carbon Registry India), and Mr Amit Anand, Chief Executive Officer, Carbon Check. Their insights underscored the urgency and complexity of our decarbonisation journey, and I was proud to contribute to the conversation.
A Shift in Thinking: From Silos to Systems
My central argument was simple: integration is no longer optional. We are entering an era where decarbonisation is not just about doing good—it’s about survival, relevance, and risk management.
Industries across sectors are facing escalating climate risks—both physical and transitional. At the same time, regulatory pressures are increasing, carbon markets are evolving, and stakeholder expectations are becoming more sophisticated. ESG-linked capital has surged beyond $30 trillion globally, and investors are increasingly assessing companies not just on climate commitments but on the credibility, verification, and alignment of those commitments.
However, most industrial sustainability efforts today are fragmented. Certifications, ESG disclosures, carbon credits, and SDG goals are pursued in parallel—often by different departments with different mandates. This disconnect erodes impact, inflates costs, and most importantly, undermines stakeholder trust.
Why Integration Is the Game-Changer
I built the presentation around a fundamental insight: when sustainability components are integrated, they become exponentially more valuable.
Instead of working in isolation, imagine a system where:
- Those reports are aligned with SDG indicators.
- Certified emissions reductions (validated through credible third parties) feed directly into ESG reports.
- And verified reductions are monetised through carbon markets.
This integration doesn’t just streamline reporting—it creates a strategic ecosystem. It improves data integrity, builds institutional trust, reduces duplication, and opens up new financing pathways like ESG-linked loans, sustainability bonds, and voluntary carbon trading.
The Four Pillars: A Blueprint for Action
To offer a practical framework, I proposed four key pillars of sustainable impact:
- SDG Alignment – The Global North Star
The Sustainable Development Goals offer a universally understood framework to align corporate climate action with broader societal value. - Certification – The Trust Layer
Without third-party verification, ESG claims risk being dismissed. Certifications like ISO, PEFC®, and FSC® lend credibility and traceability to action. - ESG Frameworks – The Governance Engine
ESG is no longer a reporting exercise; it’s how risk is managed and strategy is shaped. Frameworks like GRI, TCFD, and BRSR provide structure to align disclosures with investor and regulatory expectations. - Carbon Credits – The Monetization Tool
Carbon markets, both voluntary and compliance-based, offer a way to translate verified emissions reductions into financial value—while incentivising deeper action.
When integrated, these four elements enable a company to not only reduce emissions but also embed sustainability into its core business model, attract capital, and future-proof its operations.
Case in Point: ITC’s Responsible Forestry
To demonstrate what this looks like in practice, I presented the case of ITC Limited’s forestry programme—a stellar example of integration in action. Through FSC certification, alignment with SDGs (13, 15, 8), carbon sequestration projects, and transparent ESG disclosures, ITC has:
- Planted over 100 million saplings
- Sequestered more than 30 million tonnes of CO₂
- Improved livelihoods for over 100,000 rural families
- And monetized verified carbon sinks in global voluntary markets
This is not just sustainability—it’s strategic transformation. And it’s entirely replicable if we move from fragmented actions to integrated systems.
Our Role at Carbon Registry India
At Carbon Registry India, we are uniquely positioned to help industries navigate this journey. Our end-to-end support covers:
- Capacity building – To demystify ESG, carbon markets, and SDG mapping
- ESG advisory & disclosures – From framework selection to data strategy
- Emissions baselining & mitigation planning – Scope 1, 2, and 3 assessments
- Certification support – Navigating ISO, PEFC®, TOF and others
- Carbon project development – Nature-based, industrial, and energy-sector projects
- Marketplace access & trading – Enabling monetization of verified reductions
Whether you’re an early mover or just starting, our goal is to make sustainability credible, scalable, and financially viable.
A Call to Industry Leaders
As I shared in the closing segment of my presentation, this is our decade of delivery. Fragmented efforts won’t get us to net zero. Integration will.
Let’s reframe how we think about sustainability—from siloed reports and compliance-driven checklists to interconnected strategies that deliver impact, trust, and growth.
To all those who attended the symposium: thank you for your engagement, your questions, and your dedication. And to those yet to begin this journey—now is the time. The tools, the capital, and the frameworks are ready. Let’s build the roadmap—together.
