ESG Consulting Services

The ESG reporting landscape for Indian companies has evolved significantly with both global frameworks and India-specific requirements now relevant. For listed companies, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) in a phased manner, replacing the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR). The BRSR framework is now mandatory for the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization and covers essential ESG disclosures aligned with global standards while addressing India-specific priorities. Beyond regulatory requirements, several global frameworks are widely adopted by Indian companies seeking international recognition for their sustainability practices. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards remain the most commonly used comprehensive framework in India, providing detailed disclosure requirements across environmental, social, and governance topics with sector-specific guidance. The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards are gaining traction for their focus on financially material ESG issues specific to each industry, making them particularly relevant for companies with international investors. For climate-specific disclosures, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework is increasingly important, especially for carbon-intensive sectors and companies with global operations or investors. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) provides structured reporting for environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, water, and forests. Companies in specific sectors may also consider frameworks like the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) framework, which connects sustainability information with financial reporting. We help clients navigate this complex landscape by conducting a framework applicability assessment based on your industry, size, stakeholder expectations, and strategic objectives, often recommending a pragmatic approach that leverages elements from multiple frameworks rather than rigidly adhering to a single standard.

Measuring the business impact of ESG initiatives requires a multi-dimensional approach that captures both tangible financial returns and less quantifiable strategic benefits. We establish comprehensive measurement frameworks that link ESG activities to business outcomes across several categories. For direct financial impact, we track resource efficiency savings (energy, water, materials), waste management cost reductions, insurance premium changes related to risk mitigation, and changes in financing costs associated with sustainability-linked loans or green bonds. Operational metrics include productivity improvements, supplier reliability enhancements, innovation rates for sustainable products, and process optimization outcomes. We measure market performance through customer acquisition and retention rates for sustainability-marketed products, price premiums commanded by sustainable offerings, and market share changes in environmentally or socially conscious segments. Employee dimensions include recruitment cost savings, retention rates, engagement scores, and productivity indicators correlated with ESG initiatives. Risk management benefits are assessed through reduced incident rates, regulatory compliance costs, and avoided penalties or remediation expenses. For longer-term value, we track reputation and brand metrics including media sentiment analysis, sustainability ratings improvements, and stakeholder perception studies. Our measurement approach establishes clear baselines before implementation, identifies appropriate control groups where possible, isolates ESG impacts from other variables, and sets realistic timeframes for different types of returns. We emphasize integrating ESG metrics with existing business KPIs rather than creating parallel measurement systems, ensuring sustainability performance becomes part of core business evaluation. This comprehensive approach provides a realistic view of both immediate returns and strategic value creation from your ESG investments.

Avoiding greenwashing requires a fundamental commitment to authenticity and substantiation in all sustainability claims. We help organizations build credibility through several key practices. First, we establish a strong foundation of materiality—focusing sustainability efforts and communications on issues that are genuinely significant to your business and stakeholders rather than peripheral topics that may seem more marketable. We implement robust data verification systems to ensure all sustainability claims are backed by accurate, reliable metrics with clear methodologies and appropriate context. For environmental claims, we conduct scientifically sound environmental impact assessments and utilize recognized methodologies for calculations like carbon footprinting or life cycle assessments. We promote transparency about both achievements and challenges, acknowledging areas still being addressed rather than presenting an unrealistic perfect picture. Claims language is carefully reviewed to ensure precision and avoid vague, misleading terms like "eco-friendly" without specific substantiation. We help integrate sustainability deeply into business strategy and operations rather than treating it as a surface-level marketing initiative. Communication reviews ensure appropriate balance between promoting genuine achievements and maintaining accuracy about their scope and impact. When using sustainability certifications or labels, we ensure full compliance with their requirements and transparent communication about what they do (and don't) cover. Our approach emphasizes building internal consensus around authentic sustainability positioning, helping organizations resist pressure to exaggerate claims for short-term marketing advantages. By establishing these practices, organizations can confidently communicate their sustainability journey while maintaining stakeholder trust and avoiding regulatory or reputational risks associated with greenwashing.

ESG consulting creates significant value for SMEs through practical approaches tailored to their unique context and resource constraints. For supply chain positioning, many SMEs are suppliers to larger companies that increasingly require ESG performance data and minimum standards from their vendors. Our consulting helps SMEs meet these requirements efficiently, protecting existing business relationships and accessing new supply chain opportunities that prioritize sustainable suppliers. Resource efficiency initiatives yield proportionally higher impact for SMEs, with energy, water, and material optimization often delivering 15-30% cost savings with modest investments. We help identify high-return efficiency opportunities and navigate available subsidies or incentives. For market differentiation, SMEs can leverage sustainability credentials to stand out in competitive markets where they can't compete on scale alone. We develop authentic sustainability narratives and credible certifications that resonate with environmentally and socially conscious customers. Access to finance is enhanced as more lenders offer preferential rates for sustainable businesses, while grant programs and government initiatives increasingly support sustainable SMEs. Our consulting helps navigate these opportunities and prepare required documentation. Employee engagement benefits are often particularly significant for SMEs, as purpose-driven organizations typically see higher retention and productivity. We create meaningful engagement programs that build connection without requiring extensive resources. Resilience planning helps SMEs prepare for climate impacts, regulatory changes, and market shifts that could otherwise threaten business continuity. Our approach for SMEs emphasizes practical, right-sized solutions rather than complex corporate systems—focusing on material issues with tangible benefits, developing streamlined documentation, leveraging technology for efficient data collection, and implementing staged approaches that align with available resources while delivering immediate value.