A well-executed sustainability programme can drive growth, create new markets and new business alternatives, and reduce costs and risks. That's why such a programme is essential for businesses and that's where our policies come in.
Environmental Policy, Corporate Responsibility and Green Economy; each policy is a tool developed by CESD to assist businesses in sticking to their preset sustainable goals.
CESD brings the industry's perspective to the table during the formation of environmental policy, creating a platform for reciprocal consultation and consensus building.
A key partner to the government, the Centre works closely with the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the Planning Commission, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), among other regulatory and decision-making bodies. It also facilitates policy development at the national and state levels.
With the Ministry of Environment and Forests, CESD works on international policy development for climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. On the domestic front, it works with the Ministry on hazardous waste management, e-waste, environmental clearances, clean technology and clean production, among other initiatives.
CESD’s involvement with the Government of India's Planning Commission includes its participation in the Low Carbon Expert Group and the twelfth Five Year Plan steering committee on environment & industry. It also helps companies assess the effect of emerging regulations on their business.
EnCASe - Environmental Compliance & Advisory Services
CESD plays a key role in advancing policy frameworks that influence sustainable and responsible practices of business. It does so by working closely with Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
CESD has been a part of development of National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business or NVGs, and later Business Responsibility Reporting framework. CESD was closely involved in shaping "CSR legislation" in the form of Section 135 of Companies Act 2013 and the corresponding CSR Rules 2014. Since then, it has continued to influence MCA by submitting inputs to formal committees such MCA's High-level Committee on CSR.
CESD has also worked with the Department of Public Sector Enterprises to create guidelines for the integration of sustainable development principles into corporate Memorandums of Understanding. It is both an architect of the guidelines and a key member of the taskforce for review of memorandums.
Most recently, CESD helped SEBI develop its voluntary requirement on integrated reporting applicable to top 500 companies listed on national stock exchanges, such as BSE and NSE.
CII Climate Change Council spearheads industry policy advocacy on climate change issues in India. The Council works as a bridge between government and industry on various climate change initiatives and policy issues.
The Council keeps abreast with national as well as global policies and action on climate change issues and directs relevant policy research critical for India’s low carbon pathway.
Four working groups constituting representatives from Indian industry, under the council, are working on the following thematic areas: