An action-first ESG model: the secrets to building a leading global economy

Key learnings from my conversation with Sudha Singh

During my latest session in our Insight Connect series, I had the pleasure of sitting down with senior ESG expert and founder of The Purpose Room, Sudha Singh. Together we ran through the current state of ESG in corporate India and the opportunities that lay ahead for this rapidly growing economy. 

India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy and overtake Germany by 2028–2030. Interestingly though, the nation is not just growing, it is redefining what it means to be a sustainable superpower.

While Western organisations often approach ESG through boardroom governance and strict disclosure frameworks, India’s approach is fundamentally different. It is practical and grounded in on-the-ground impact. 

Therefore, when international organisations are looking to plan and implement their global ESG ambitions in the Indian market, they must adapt. A new mindset is required altogether. As Sudha noted, the greatest barrier to global sustainability is rarely a lack of capital, but rather a lack of cultural intelligence and “local translation”.

Social investment as economic strategy

In India, corporate social responsibility is not a passing trend; it has been legally mandated for over a decade (2014). However, its scale and ambition have evolved. Leading companies now recognise that social investment is a core business strategy. 

With some of the most educated but underemployed young people in the world, Indian corporations are investing heavily in practical skill-building and employability to prepare their workforce for future-facing jobs.

When it comes to gender equity, the focus has shifted from policy targets on paper to real, physical participation: ensuring women can get to work safely, build their skills, and thrive long-term.

The MSME backbone: partnership over governance

How does a fast-growing economy decarbonise when 99% of its businesses are MSMEs operating on razor-thin margins? 

This is a real consideration when larger businesses are looking to comply with ambitious Scope 3 emission targets. Top-down compliance auditing often isn’t the answer to this. Indian conglomerates like Tata and Mahindra are demonstrating that progress requires commercial pragmatism, supplier hand-holding, and financial safety nets. Combined with phased disclosure timelines implemented by regulators like SEBI, this allows smaller businesses to adapt at their own pace, without going under.

Addressing the ultimate blind spot

In India, the informal economy remains the ultimate blind spot for corporate ESG. And with that in mind, true sustainability cannot coexist with strong corporate policies that rely on cheap, unprotected labour further down the supply chain. The real test of social ESG is whether the most vulnerable people in the ecosystem (those in sourcing, waste, or agricultural work) experience dignity, protection, and opportunity.

Delivery over language

Ultimately, the future of ESG and economic growth in India is being shaped by "delivery over language". Its climate goals and push for self-reliance, such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, are tightly woven into its national growth strategy. By linking decarbonisation with domestic manufacturing and energy security, India is showing that a green transition can actively fuel a $6 trillion economy.

For senior leaders globally, the takeaway is clear: the future of ESG is not about the sophistication of our reporting, but the tangibility of our delivery.

To watch the full interview, click here.