Sustainability has shifted from a peripheral CSR activity to a core strategic concern for corporate boards. Driven by climate risks, regulatory pressures, investor expectations, and evolving consumer preferences, companies are increasingly integrating ESG considerations into governance, risk management, and long-term strategy. The article highlights that boards are now focusing on climate disclosures, supply chain resilience, sustainable finance, and accountability metrics, recognizing that environmental and social performance directly impact financial outcomes and brand value. It concludes that sustainability is no longer optional, it is a leadership and governance imperative essential for competitiveness, resilience, and stakeholder trust in a rapidly changing global economy.

Sustainability initiatives can only achieve large-scale impact if they are financially viable and commercially attractive. Naresh Tyagi of the Indian Chemical Council (ICCS) stresses that while environmental responsibility is critical, businesses will adopt green practices more widely when they align with profitability, cost efficiency, and long-term competitiveness. The article underscores the need for policy support, innovation, and industry collaboration to create market-driven sustainability solutions, particularly in energy transition, resource efficiency, and circular economy practices. It concludes that making sustainability economically practical is essential for accelerating India’s broader climate and industrial goals.

The rapid growth of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and questions whether its expansion is financially sustainable. While UPI has revolutionized digital payments with record transaction volumes and widespread adoption, much of its growth has been supported by government incentives and subsidies for banks and fintech players. The piece highlights concerns that zero merchant discount rates (MDR) and reliance on state-backed incentives may strain public finances and limit long-term viability. Industry experts argue that for UPI to remain sustainable, policymakers may need to rethink revenue models, cost-sharing mechanisms, and private sector participation, ensuring innovation and infrastructure growth without excessive fiscal dependence.

India must transform its public transport networks to meet growing urban demand while reducing environmental impact. It highlights the need to shift from fossil fuel–dependent systems to electric mobility, cleaner fuels, and integrated multimodal transport solutions. The article emphasises improving policy coordination, financing models, and infrastructure planning to ensure efficiency and accessibility. It also stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making, private sector participation, and behavioural change to encourage public transport use. Ultimately, it argues that sustainable public transport is key to reducing congestion, lowering emissions, and building resilient, future-ready cities in India.

South Asia’s path to sustainability depends on integrating environmental economics into policy and planning. Experts highlight that the region’s rapid growth, coupled with rising climate risks, demands a balance between economic development and ecological preservation. They stress the need to value natural resources, invest in green infrastructure, and adopt inclusive economic models that account for environmental costs. Collaboration between governments, academia, and industries is seen as vital for building resilience and achieving long-term sustainability. The article concludes that without factoring in environmental economics, South Asia risks undermining both its economic stability and ecological future.

A growing trend in India toward sustainable, upcycled, and zero-waste gifting, driven by eco-conscious consumers and small businesses. Startups and artisan groups are turning discarded materials—such as textile scraps, paper waste, plastics, and coconut shells—into creative gift items like décor, stationery, planters, and festive hampers. These alternatives reduce landfill waste, support local livelihoods, and offer personalized, environmentally friendly gift options. The piece emphasises that sustainable gifting is no longer niche but increasingly mainstream, blending creativity with climate responsibility.

Indonesia Energy and Aguila Energia plan to develop hybrid gas-solar pilot projects in Brazil to power data centers more sustainably. These projects aim to combine natural gas with solar energy to reduce carbon emissions and ensure stable electricity for Brazil’s growing data center industry. The initiative reflects a broader regional push toward low-carbon, energy-secure digital infrastructure, balancing renewable integration with reliability. If successful, the pilots could become a model for hybrid energy solutions powering data centers across Latin America and Southeast Asia.

India’s move toward a low-carbon economy requires massive workforce upskilling and reskilling. As the country expands renewable energy, electric mobility, and green infrastructure, millions of new jobs will emerge—especially in solar installation, EV manufacturing, sustainable construction, and waste management. However, many workers in traditional industries risk displacement. The article calls for targeted vocational training, industry partnerships, and policy alignment to ensure a just and inclusive transition. By investing in green skills education and modern training systems, India can turn its climate goals into a major opportunity for job creation and economic resilience.