The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) successfully held the 11th edition of its annual international sustainability summit, India and Sustainability Standards 2024, from November 13 to 15 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The three-day event attracted over 1,200 participants, including more than 135 expert speakers across 26 sessions, supported by over 60 partner organizations.
The summit opened with four high-level plenary sessions on November 13, focusing on India’s rising leadership in the global sustainability arena. Topics covered included:
1. The importance of human resources, education, green entrepreneurship, accessibility, and planning in achieving a sustainable, developed India (Viksit Bharat).
2. The role of collaboration in tackling key challenges like biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, gender equity, and water security, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. The influence of large brands and corporations in driving sustainability, ensuring accountability, and bringing about lasting change in business practices.
The summit stressed the importance of a holistic, inclusive approach to global partnerships and local innovation for impactful action. Key sustainability issues discussed included decarbonization for SMEs, regenerative agriculture, circular economy practices, sustainable palm oil production, business and human rights, responsible sourcing, nature-based solutions, and youth empowerment in the North Eastern Region (NER).
Event Highlights:
1. Industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and NGOs explored how sustainability frameworks can be integrated into core business strategies, advocating for a shift from compliance to long-term commitment.
2. Panel discussions emphasized the vital role of public-private partnerships, private capital, and strategic collaborations in scaling sustainability initiatives.
3. The summit also focused on the need for inclusive policies, capacity-building programs, and the integration of local knowledge into regulatory frameworks to support MSMEs and grassroots communities.
3. Experts stressed the importance of changing mindsets across the value chain to ensure long-term transformation.
4. Policy discussions reflected ongoing efforts to balance regulatory measures, mandatory due diligence laws, and transparency in reporting.
Rijit Sengupta, CEO of CRB, said, “CRB’s annual sustainability summit continues to bring together a diverse range of organizations and individuals to ideate and create actionable agendas on sustainability issues. This year, we brought together policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, international organizations, SMEs, and community representatives to discuss India’s sustainability trajectory and explore ways to translate global commitments into impactful local actions.”
The ISS 2024 Summit concluded by emphasizing the need for actionable outcomes, collaboration, and innovative solutions to address sustainability challenges. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning global frameworks with local initiatives for scalable, impactful change.
For more information, please visit the summit website: www.sustainabilitystandards.in
About CRB
The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) is a leading think tank dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across sectors. Through research, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, CRB works towards building a more inclusive and sustainable future. Visit www.c4rb.org for more information.
