India’s ESG landscape has transformed since SEBI introduced BRSR in 2021. Five years on, the top-performing companies have moved far beyond compliance: they are using ESG as a strategic tool for investor relations, supply chain management, talent attraction, and market access.
The leaders share common characteristics: board-level ESG governance, integrated data systems, third-party assurance, proactive engagement with rating agencies, and clear links between sustainability targets and executive compensation. These are not just large-cap companies — several mid-cap firms have emerged as ESG leaders by treating sustainability as a competitive differentiator.
The laggards, by contrast, are still treating ESG as a compliance exercise: minimum disclosure, no assurance, and sustainability reports that read like marketing brochures. The gap is widening, and it is increasingly visible to investors, customers, and regulators.
RSustain India has worked with clients across this spectrum. Our approach is to meet companies where they are and build capability progressively: start with regulatory compliance, add voluntary disclosure frameworks, build toward assurance readiness, and eventually embed sustainability into business strategy.
India’s ESG journey is far from complete. BRSR Core assurance, CCTS compliance, CBAM readiness, and ISSB adoption all represent the next wave of challenges. Companies that have built strong foundations will navigate these transitions smoothly; those that haven’t will face a steep and expensive catch-up.