Events Details
2026
Training Session on TEEBAgriFood Framework, focused on Transforming Agri-Business through True Value Accounting, 20 January 2026, Online Workshop
UN Environment Programme and Centre for Responsible Business organised an online training on Transforming Agri-Business through True Value Accounting, held virtually on 20 January 2026. This session explored how large agri-businesses can move beyond traditional financial metrics to account for natural, social, human, and produced capital—strengthening ESG performance, supply-chain resilience, and future-ready decision-making.
Partners Training on the TEEBAgriFood Framework Application of Business Decision Making, 9 January 2026, New Delhi
On 9 January 2026, a Partners’ Training on the application of the TEEBAgriFood Framework for business decision-making was held at the UN House, New Delhi. The discussion brought together regional partners to deliberate on the further application of the TEEBAgriFood Framework.
2025
Siegwerk Supplier Engagement Program, 10-12 December 2025, Mumbai
CRB co-hosted a three-day workshop in partnership with SIEGWERK under the Siegwerk Supplier Engagement Program, held from 10–12 December in Mumbai. The workshop covered key topics for suppliers, including wages, living wages and overtime, grievance redressal mechanisms, and health, safety, and environment (HSE).
India and Sustainability Standards 2025, 12 - 14 November 2025, Bharat Mandapam New Delhi
India and Sustainability Standards Summit convened from November 12–14, 2025. This year’s Summit officially launched a powerful three-day agenda dedicated to the theme “Enhancing Competitiveness and Positive Impacts through Responsible Business.”
The event brought together diverse stakeholders, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the globe to share insights and build actionable collaborations. The Summit marked the beginning of meaningful partnerships emerging from this highly anticipated gathering.
UttaraKhand Training on the TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth & Sustainability in Agri-Business: Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future, 29 - 30 October 2025, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
UNEP and CRB jointly organised a two-day training workshop in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on the application of the TEEBAgriFood Framework for sustainable growth in agrifood businesses, in collaboration with PSI, the state-level partner for Uttarakhand.
The workshop featured a high-level panel discussion with public and private sector experts highlighting the relevance of the TEEBAgriFood framework in advancing food systems transformation in Uttarakhand. Participants—including FPOs, FPCs, and agri-entrepreneurs—were introduced to the framework and equipped with practical tools to integrate it into their business operations and develop sustainability-driven business cases. Encouragingly, many participants actively engaged with the Capitals assessment and began identifying priority areas to strengthen their operations.
Rijit Sengupta represented CRB at Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (IISF) 2025, 10-11 October 2025, Jakarta, Indonesia
At IISF 2025, Rijit Sengupta represented CRB at IISF 2025, The discussion highlighted strong opportunities for Indonesia and other emerging economies, supported by innovative financing, collective action, expanded development cooperation, and balanced policies to ensure accessible and affordable technologies for a just and inclusive transition.
ISS 2025 Curtain Raiser, October 10, 2025, Mumbai
Centre for Responsible Business, along with the Mahindra Group, hosted the second curtain raiser to the India and Sustainability Standards 2025 (ISS 2025) at Mahindra Towers, Mumbai to deliberate on this year’s theme — “Enhancing Competitiveness and Positive Impacts through Responsible Business.”
The discussions stressed upon the fundamentals on sustainability, collaboration and capacity building, supply chain integration, data transparency, and long-term value creation, among other key questions.
CRB participated in the WE WORK Sustainability Summit, 24th Sept 2025, Gurugram
Rijit Sengupta, CEO, CRB, was part of the panel discussion in the session titled “Beyond the Façade: Truth and Transparency in Sustainability.” The discussion revolved around key questions such as: What regulatory or policy interventions are most needed to effectively tackle greenwashing in India? How is consumer trust evolving as sustainability claims multiply in the market? And what role can independent audits and transparent disclosures play in rebuilding credibility? During the discussion, Rijit Sengupta presented the Legislate > Educate > Track > Act (L-E-T-A) approach as a structured pathway to achieving truth and transparency in sustainability.
ISS 2025 Curtain Raiser, 30 September 2025, Bangalore
On 30 September 2025, Centre for Responsible Business and The India Advantage Summit (TIA Summit) co-hosted the Bengaluru Curtain Raiser Dialogue for ISS2025 on the theme “Enhancing Competitiveness and Positive Impacts through Responsible Business.” The event was organised with support from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) and the India Netherlands Business Circle Bengaluru (INBCB). The dialogue underscored a critical inflection point in India’s development trajectory: competitiveness and sustainability cannot be pursued in isolation.
Nurturing Circular Economy in the Apparel and Textile Sector in Select Asian Economies, 24 September, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Centre for Responsible Business hosted an international event in partnership with the National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka, and with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The forum created a platform for dialogue on advancing circularity and sustainability in South Asia’s textile industry The discussion brought together influential voices and valuable insights from Rene Van Berkel, Randika Jayasinghe, Marta Pérez Cusó, Asif Ibrahim, Dr. Leonie Vaas 🇱🇰, and Roshan Peiris.
Unlocking New Technologies and Financing for a Circular and Sustainable Cluster in Ludhiana, 10 September 2025, Ludhiana
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), in partnership with the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), convened a high- level workshop. The workshop gathered industry leaders, technology innovators, financiers and policymakers to present a Roadmap for making Ludhiana’s textile cluster more circular, competitive and climate-resilient.
TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth & Sustainability in Agri-Business: Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future, 16 & 17 September 2025, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh
On 16 – 17 September 2025, UNEP and CRB jointly organised a two-day training workshop in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, on “TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth: Sustainability in AgriFood-Business – Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future.” The workshop was held in collaboration with Jagriti Enterprise Centre, the state-level partner for Uttar Pradesh.
The first day featured a high-level panel with experts from UNEP and ICAR-IIFSR Modipuram, highlighting the vital role of ecosystem services and the need to shift toward sustainable agriculture. The TEEBAgriFood Framework was presented as a holistic approach to assess food systems, considering benefits and trade-offs for people, nature, and communities, with ongoing initiatives in Purvanchal noted.
TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth & Sustainability in Agri-Business: Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future, 10 & 11 August, Guwahati, Assam
On 10 – 11 September, UNEP and CRB jointly organised a two-day training in Guwahati, Assam, in partnership with ICCo, on “TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth & Sustainability in Agri-Business: Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future,”.
The training workshop entailed a high level panel discussion, which featured experts from NABARD, Assam Agroforestry Development Board, IIFM, and McCormick Global Ingredients Ltd., emphasizing the framework’s role in advancing food systems transformation in Assam.
Day two of the training equipped participants with practical knowledge to develop business cases using the framework, with follow-up support and access to resource persons planned.
MSME Success Formula - Finance, Policy, and Energy Suppor : A BDSP Promotion Event for MSMEs, 29 August, Panipat
On August 29, 2025, Panipat, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) in partnership with MSME Clusters Foundation (FMC) and supported by HSBC, organised a workshop under the project “Demonstrating Decarbonisation Pathways through Pilot Projects in Textile SMEs.”
The workshop brought together subject matter experts from SIDBI, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and ICAI’s NIRC Panipat branch to provide targeted information for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Industry leaders and representatives attended the program, including Shri Bheem Singh Rana, Shri Veer Bhan Singla, Shri Bharat Banga, Shri Vinod Khandelwal, Shri S.K. Suman, Ms. Devyani Hari, Shri Rakesh Vig, and Shri M.B. Onam.
The workshop aimed to provide practical knowledge on financial assistance, energy efficiency schemes, and government policies to Panipat’s MSMEs.
Masterclass on Traceability Series: Palm Oil Traceability: Tools and Approaches Explained by Earthworm Foundation, 25 August 2025
Driving the shift towards sustainable palm oil: Advancing I-SPOC’s capacity-building initiative, the second session of the Masterclass on Traceability Series was held on 25 August 2025. This interactive webinar, “Palm Oil Traceability: Tools and Approaches Explained by Earthworm Foundation”, brought together 35+ stakeholders from across the palm oil value chain to deepen their understanding of practical traceability tools. The active participation of stakeholders reaffirmed the importance of such knowledge- sharing and capacity-building initiatives in driving sustainability across the palm oil sector.
I-SPOC at the IVPA Global Roundtable 4.0 2025, Delhi
The Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (I-SPOC) organised the Booth at the IVPA Global Roundtable 4.0, organised by the IVPA Indian Vegetable oil Producers Association.
Integrating Sustainability Principles in Oil Palm Production in Telangana, 17 July 2025
On 17 July, 2025, Centre for Responsible Business, in collaboration with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme), organised a “Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustainable Palm Oil in Hyderabad” at NI-MISME Campus, Telangana, Hyderabad.
The workshop brought together over 60 participants from government, agro-industry, civil society, farming communities and private business to explore how Telangana can lead India’s transition towards sustainable and responsible palm oil production.
The workshop served as a timely platform to explore how sustainability principles can be embedded early as India intensifies efforts to scale up domestic palm oil production.
EU-India Business Collaboration on Sustainable Development’ in Brussels, 20 June 2025
CRB, in partnership with amfori, hosted an expert roundtable on ‘EU-India Business Collaboration on Sustainable Development’ in Brussels on 20th June. The discussion brought together senior EU sustainability experts to explore opportunities for joint action on sustainability and SDGs. Despite global regulatory uncertainties, businesses on both sides were seen embracing sustainability as a value driver. Experts agreed the dialogue was timely and should continue.
Investing in Nature: Ensuring Sustainability through, 11 June 2025
CRB and NEWSforNature co-hosted an event titled “Investing in Nature: Ensuring Sustainability through Partnerships” on 11 June 2025, with the aim of building networks and partnerships to promote investment in nature.
The conclave bridged economic, social, and ecological gaps by bringing together corporate funders, chambers of commerce, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government departments. It facilitated collaborative initiatives focused on sustainable solutions and empowered CSOs with fundraising opportunities.
The initiative was designed to benefit communities—especially women and youth—by enhancing livelihood opportunities.
Mainstreaming Nature into Business Processes: Leveraging a Capitals Approach to Decision Making, 10 June 2025
A high-level Roundtable Discussion was co-organised by United Nations Environment Programme, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, IKEA Foundation, UNEP FI and Centre for Responsible Business on “Mainstreaming Nature into Business Processes: Leveraging a Capitals Approach to Decision Making”, held at We the Peoples Hall, UN House, New Delhi on 10 June 2025. The roundtable brought together key experts from the agri-food sector, financial institutions as well multilateral organisations and industry associations.
The roundtable marked a significant step in aligning business and finance with nature-positive outcomes.
Advancing Sustainability & Circularity in the Karur Textile Cluster, 6 June 2025
Co-organised by Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and Intellecap in collaboration with The Karur Textile Manufacturer Exporters’ Association (KTMEA), and supported by Karur Handloom Export Cloth Manufacturers Association and KARUR WEAVING & KNITTING FACTORY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION LIMITED with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the Industry Partner, the workshop brought together local manufacturers, exporters, industry associations, and government officials to discuss and commit to greener practices. the event brought together over 100 local manufacturers, exporters, and officials.
Key Highlights:
– Emphasised the importance of sustainable and circular practices for long-term industry viability
– Highlighted the critical role of SMEs and the need for access to green finance and technical support
– Stressed collaboration and data-driven approaches for large-scale impact
The workshop marked a key step in building local ownership and momentum for sustainability in the Karur textile cluster.
Devyani Hari Represents CRB at Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025, 2 - 3 June 2025
The forum brought together global thought leaders to address systemic challenges in global finance and explore actionable solutions. Key sessions such as “Sustainable Debt & Climate” and “Navigating Uncertainty” focused on aligning financial systems with the UN Agenda 2030, proposing reforms to build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable global economy. The conference also examined the transformative shifts needed to accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Priority themes included Resilient Food Systems, Green Energy & Net Zero, Responsible AI & Digitalization, Future Cities, and Empowering Societies—showcasing scalable solutions and key actors driving just and effective global transformation.
World Environment Day, Roundtable on “Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Plastic Recycling in India”, Centre For Responsible Business, 29 May 2025
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) organized a stakeholder dialogue on “Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Plastic Recycling in India” on May 29, 2025, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The event was held in alignment with the World Environment Day 2025 theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” and focused on the crucial role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in strengthening India’s plastic recycling ecosystem.
The consultation brought together a diverse set of stakeholders, including SME recyclers, industry leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, NGOs, and sustainability experts. It served as a platform to assess the current state of plastic recycling in India, with particular emphasis on the contributions, opportunities, and barriers faced by SMEs.
State-level stakeholder consultation in Lucknow - "Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri-Food Value Chain", 20 May 2025 & 21 May 2025
On May 20, 2025, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), the UN Environment Programme – The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), and the IKEA Foundation convened a state-level stakeholder consultation in Lucknow, focused on applying a Capitals Approach to transform the agri-food sector in Uttar Pradesh.
The consultation, supported by Jagriti Enterprise Centre – Purvanchal and ACCESS Development Services, brought together over 70 participants, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agri-businesses, Cluster-Based Business Organisations (CBBOs), NGOs, and policymakers. The session aimed to co-develop strategies to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems in the state, aligning environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
This multi-stakeholder dialogue marked a significant step toward integrating natural, social, and human capital into agri-food planning and policy in Uttar Pradesh.
I-SPOC Masterclass Series on Traceability, First Training on "prisma by RSPO" - 6, CRB and RSPO, 6 May 2025
As part of the I-SPOC Traceability Series, the first PRISMA Masterclass was successfully conducted on May 6, 2025. The session focused on PRISMA – the Palm Resource Information and Sustainability Management platform, an initiative by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The masterclass provided participants with a comprehensive overview of PRISMA’s core features and its role in advancing sustainability within the palm oil supply chain. Key highlights included:
– Improved supply chain efficiency
– Enhanced trade and compliance mechanisms
A unified platform for data and stakeholder collaboration
The session emphasized PRISMA’s function as a centralized tool to promote transparency, accountability, and cooperation among stakeholders. It also reinforced RSPO’s broader mission of supporting sustainable practices across the palm oil sector. The masterclass was well-attended by professionals from across the industry, reflecting a strong and growing interest in digital tools that support traceability and sustainability goals.
Prioritising Research for Sustainable Development: Building a Greener, Inclusive, and Resilient South Asia, 7 April 2025
She contributed to the panel discussion on “Empowering future low carbon and sustainable economies for South Asia”. This collaborative platform brought together regional partners to share key research findings, address science-policy gaps, and identify priority research areas to support climate resilience, inclusive growth, and sustainable development across South Asia.
CRB Participates at the 4th Annual Design for Freedom Summit 2025, New Canaan, United States, 27 March 2025
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) was pleased to be represented by Nandini Sharma and Neha Tomar at the 4th Annual Design for Freedom Summit 2025, held on 27th March in New Canaan, United States. The summit brought together over 50 global speakers to deliberate on concrete actions to end forced labour and child labour in building materials supply chains. The event featured impactful panel discussions, roundtables, announcements, and guided tours aimed at fostering ethical and sustainable practices in the built environment. CRB, in partnership with Design for Freedom by Grace Farms, continues to advance action-oriented projects focused on circularity, ethical decarbonisation, and social well-being within India’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
A Consultative Dialogue on Sustainable Business Collaboration: Fostering EU-India Partnerships in the Northeast Region, 20 March 2025
The recent consultative dialogue on Sustainable Business Collaboration: Fostering EU-India Partnerships in the North Eastern Region (NER), organized by the Centre for Responsible Business with support from the EU Delegation to India, brought together over 50 participants from across India and international organizations. Discussions focused on advancing sustainability in key sectors: responsible tourism, eco-friendly textiles and circular design, and integrating women empowerment and biodiversity in agri-value chains. Key topics included strengthening sustainability practices, overcoming sector challenges, leveraging certifications and policies, and fostering EU-India business partnerships for sustainable trade.
Assam Stakeholder Consultation and Public Private Dialogue - Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri-Food Value Chain, 18 - 19 March 2025
Discussions focused on building biodiversity-based value chains, enhancing infrastructure, promoting local entrepreneurship, and supporting smallholder farmers. Key priorities included enabling policies, industry partnerships, investment in technology, and promoting traditional systems like the ‘Bari’.
The consultation launched a two-year project in Assam (also in UP and Uttarakhand) to support agri-entrepreneurs in applying Capitals thinking for sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Uttarakhand Stakeholder Consultation and Public Private Dialogue - Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri-Food Value Chain, 11 - 12 March 2025
The consultation highlighted Uttarakhand’s potential to blend traditional agricultural practices with modern innovations for sustainable value chains. Key discussions focused on organic agriculture and agroforestry, emphasising crop diversification, low-cost productivity solutions, youth skill development, and market linkages.
The event marked the project’s launch in Uttarakhand and brought together public agencies, businesses, NGOs, and farmer groups. The initiative will support agri-entrepreneurs in applying Capitals thinking to drive sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems.
Launch Workshop for the project "Demonstrating Decarbonisation Pathways through Pilots in Textile SMEs, 8 March 2025
CRB, in partnership with FMC and supported by HSBC, successfully hosted the Launch Workshop for “Demonstrating Decarbonisation Pathways through Pilots in Textile SMEs” at Gymkhana Club, Panipat, on March 8. The event saw enthusiastic participation from the Panipat Textile Cluster and was graced by Shri Sanjeev Chawla, Additional Development Commissioner, MSME DFO, Karnal, as the Chief Guest. This initiative aims to decarbonize Panipat’s textile sector, enhancing sustainability, regulatory compliance, and global competitiveness. With industry collaboration, this model can be scaled across SME clusters for broader impact.
CRB Participates in NITI Aayog–UN Consultation on Private Sector's Role in Advancing SDGs, 20 February 2025
Recommendations from the consultation will inform India’s VNR report, which tracks national progress on the SDGs. The initiative also includes follow-up surveys and smaller convenings to gather broader insights. Highlighting the importance of private sector engagement, UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp noted, “The private sector is the engine of the economy and innovation—and key to SDG acceleration.”
I-SPOC Showcases Sustainable Palm Oil Initiatives at HPCI Mumbai 2025, 18 - 19 February 2025
At Jio World Centre, Mumbai, I-SPOC showcased its work at HPCI Mumbai 2025 through a dedicated booth focused on advancing sustainability in the palm oil sector. The booth served as a platform to share insights on sustainable palm oil and its derivatives, highlighting I-SPOC’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible consumption, production, and trade across India’s supply chain.
CRB Co-Hosts Sustainability Dialogue on "Global Sustainability Standards: Creating Standards, Not Barriers" at BharatTex 2025, 15 February 2025
The discussion focused on facilitating a multistakeholder dialogue to critically examine the successes and gaps in current sustainability standard systems in light of the global regulatory landscape. Participants also deliberated on collaborative approaches and support mechanisms needed to help the Indian A&T sector overcome challenges and remain competitive while aligning with international sustainability benchmarks.
CRB Co-Hosts Sustainability Dialogue on "Cluster Conversation: How India’s Textile Clusters are Leading the Sustainability Drive" at BharatTex 2025, 14th February 2025
The session focused on highlighting successful sustainability practices across textile clusters in India, identifying essential components for a unified framework to guide cluster-level sustainability roadmaps, and exploring mechanisms for ongoing information and knowledge sharing. The dialogue reinforced the importance of collective efforts and structured frameworks to drive long-term sustainability in the textile sector.
CRB Conducts Capacity-Building Sessions on Marketing and Branding for Badabon FPC in West Bengal, Kolkata, 7 February 2025
🔹The first session focused on Agricultural Marketing, providing farmers with insights on value addition and marketing strategies to enhance their agribusiness. More than 30 farmers attended, along with members of NEWSforNature (NEWS) gaining practical knowledge to improve their market reach and profitability.
🔹The second capacity-building session on Branding and Marketing was organized for Badabon FPC’s Board of Directors, addressing challenges, growth opportunities, and future strategies. Over 15 participants, including BOD members and NEWS staff, received expert guidance on branding, marketing, value addition, and business expansion.
The training sessions were conducted by Prof./ Dr. Ramesh Mittal, Senior Advisor at Centre for Responsible Business, with Chhanda De, Program Officer at Centre for Responsible Business.
#Agribusiness #agriproducts #branding #marketing #sustainablebusiness #CapacityBuilding #SustainableAgriculture
CRB Leads Sectoral Session on "Climate Investments – Smart Transitions: Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience", BGBS, 5 and 6 February 2025
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), in partnership with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the UK Government, and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), organised a dedicated sectoral session on sustainability at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025— the flagship event of the Government of West Bengal. Held on 6th February 2025 at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan in Kolkata, the session was titled “Climate Investments – Smart Transitions: Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience.” It brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for driving sustainable transitions and strengthening climate resilience in business and governance. The session aimed to foster dialogue and actionable insights on the role of climate investments in shaping a greener, more sustainable future.
CRB’s Presence at EU Visitors Programme 2025 Marked by Siya Chopra’s Participation, Brussels, January 2025
Siya Chopra, Assistant Director at Centre for Responsible Business, represented the organisation at the European Union Visitors Programme 2025, held in Brussels.
CRB Participated in Second Workshop on Food System Transformation through Public-Private Partnership, Ranchi, 23 January 2025
The workshop, the second in the ongoing series, focused on the vital role of collaboration between public, private, and civil society actors in advancing food system transformation.
Key learnings shared during the session included:
▪️ The recognition that business-as-usual approaches would not suffice—new strategies are essential for driving sustainable change.
▪️ The need to create a level playing field to enable balanced and inclusive dialogue.
▪️ The importance of ensuring a living income, which emerged as a critical element in discussions around livelihoods.
▪️ The necessity to harmonise existing standards while combining mandatory industry-level regulations with voluntary guidelines.
CRB Conducted Capacity Building Session at Bhoomi Ka Conference, Ranchi, 21 - 22 January 2025
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) was invited to lead a session, recognising its focus on sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chains. As part of its ongoing initiative on FPO-Industry Interface on SDGs, CRB conducted a capacity building session using the Framework for FPO-Industry Partnership on Sustainable Development Goals, jointly developed with the India Foundation for Humanistic Development (IFHD).
The session began with an overview of sustainability in agricultural value chains, followed by an introduction to a self-assessment tool designed to align FPO practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The session was well-received by a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, SMEs, eco-food entrepreneurs, subject experts, and consumers.
Devyani Hari Represented CRB at AEPC Round Table on EU ESG Compliances and India’s Export Strategy, 15 January 2025
During the discussion, Ms. Hari highlighted that sustainability must be viewed as an intrinsic responsibility, rather than merely a response to buyer demands. She stressed the urgency for businesses to address climate-induced risks and adopt transitions toward resource efficiency and clean energy.
CRB called for a clear roadmap in response to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which will impact over a hundred brands and their suppliers in India. The directive mandates environmental and human rights due diligence, with phased compliance based on company size.
Indian businesses must now evaluate supply chains, enhance skills, and green operations. CRB encouraged companies to vocalise support needs and spotlight existing sustainability efforts to lead in this transition.
Dialogue on Regenerative Veg Oil Supply Chain in the context of EU-India Partnership on Sustainable Development, Bhopal, 14 January 2025
The event provided a unique opportunity for demand-side stakeholders — those involved in sourcing, processing, and marketing vegetable oils — to gain insight into the practical applications and advantages of regenerative agriculture. By bringing together stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides, the event fostered collaboration and developed a shared understanding of how regenerative practices can be scaled up within supply chains. This is an important step towards creating more sustainable, transparent, and resilient vegetable oil sourcing practices.
2024
Unleashing Potential: Women in Workforce and Leadership Roles, Webinar, 10 December 2024
Business & Human Rights Network recently commemorated International Human Rights Day with an insightful web talk titled ‘Unleashing Potential: Women in Workforce and Leadership Roles.’ The event was organised in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Asia and Centre for Responsible Business.
The session featured valuable insights from industry leaders, emphasizing the need for organizational structures that actively support women in leadership roles and the importance of female role models across diverse sectors, including gig work. Discussions also shed light on persistent challenges, such as cultural norms, family responsibilities, and inadequate workplace support, underscoring the need for systemic change to empower women in the workforce.
Building Responsible & Ethical Partnerships in India's Global Supply Chains, Bangalore, 9–10 December 2024
The event aimed to unpack the building blocks of ethical and responsible partnerships within FMCG supply chains, share best practices, and identify opportunities for meaningful collaboration. Discussions also highlighted the pivotal role of Indian suppliers in shaping resilient and competitive global supply chains within the FMCG sector.
The conference featured panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions on key topics such as responsible sourcing, ethical recruitment practices, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility, Bengaluru, 5 December 2024
On 5 December 2025, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and the Delegation of the European Union to India, in partnership with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI), hosted a capacity-building workshop titled ‘Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility.’ The event was supported by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI), MSME Business Forum India, and the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bengaluru.
The workshop focused on the rapidly evolving EU regulatory framework, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). Key discussions explored the implications of these regulations for industries, the critical role of EU-India business collaborations, and practical strategies to enable SMEs/MSMEs to adapt and thrive in this changing landscape.
Human Rights in the Net Zero Transition for South Asia, IIML Noida, 3 December 2024
Distinguished speaker Bharat Wakhlu, Founder of The Wakhlu Advisory, delivered an insightful lecture, blending practical strategies and compelling storytelling. His address emphasized the vital role of bold leadership in championing human rights and sustainability, inspiring the next generation to build a just and inclusive global system.
This session marked a step forward in fostering meaningful dialogue for a sustainable and equitable future.
From a Global Roadmap to Local Action: Circular Textiles for Asia Pacific, Online, 26 November 2024
Devyani Hari, Senior Director at Centre for Responsible Business, shared her expertise at the Regional Webinar Series titled “From a Global Roadmap to Local Action: Circular Textiles for Asia Pacific” on 26 November 2024 . The webinar was co-hosted by the UN Environment Programme, GO4SDGs, the One Planet Network – 10 YFP, and the Asian Institute of Technology.
Enabling Positive Climate Action through Circular Economy: An Illustration through the Apparel Sector in Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 25–26 November 2024
This session was held as part of the Asia-Pacific Green Deal Business Roundtable, convened by United Nations ESCAP and ESBN. Stakeholders from the textile sector representing six countries in the Asia-Pacific region came together to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for advancing sustainable and circular textile practices.
The discussions emphasized the important role of circular economy approaches in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.
ISS Curtain Raiser - Driving Circular Economy and Sustainable Entrepreneurship through Industry Academia Collaboration, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 18 October 2024
This event served as the Uttar Pradesh Curtain Raiser Dialogue, a precursor to the India and Sustainability Standards (ISS) 2024 Summit.
Highlights included exploring Circular Economy models driving sustainable entrepreneurship, delving into the Social Circular Economy for inclusive and regenerative growth, and showcasing how Industry-Academia collaboration is shaping the future of sustainable business.
Indore Regional Stakeholder Roundtable, Indore, 7 October 2024
As part of World Cotton Day 2024, a Symposium on ‘Opportunities & Challenges in Promoting Regenerative Cotton Value Chain in India’ was held on October 7, 2024, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This session was organized by Solidaridad Asia, Centre for Responsible Business, and the Alliance of Cotton & Textile Stakeholders on Regenerative Agriculture.
Some of the important key takeaways are:
– Regenerative agriculture is crucial for addressing climate change, improving soil health, and enhancing the cotton value chain’s sustainability.
– Collaboration across the supply chain and capacity building for farmers are essential to mainstream cotton grown using regenerative practices.
– Empowering women in leadership roles within the cotton value chain is vital for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility, MCCIA PUNE, 27 September 2024
On 27 September 2024, CRB and MCCIA organised a successful workshop on “Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility”, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to India at MCCIA Trade Tower, Pune. This workshop was part of the EU-India Business Collaborative Initiative on Sustainable Development, Climate Action, and Inclusivity.
Key takeaways:
– EU-India Partnership: Aiming for sustainable growth through the Global Gateway and Trade and Technology Council.
– Sustainability in Business: Evolving regulations and consumer expectations make sustainability essential.
Collaboration & Adaptation: Government, commerce chambers, and think tanks are key allies, emphasizing progress and transparency.
– Consumer Influence: Rising demand for sustainable practices drives business transformation.
Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility, BCC&I Kolkata, 24 September 2024
Key takeaways:
– Bridging Awareness: The workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of sustainability and SDGs, fostering greater awareness in these critical areas.
– Localized Approaches: Tailored strategies, rather than a one-size-fits-all model, are crucial for effective supply chain sustainability.
– EU-India Synergy: A robust partnership on sustainability is evident through policy dialogues, trade agreements, and collaborative efforts.
– Practical Tools: Certifications like IGCC’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Manager support Indian stakeholders in aligning with European markets.
– Harmony: Growing alignment between Indian and EU sustainability policies creates opportunities for businesses in innovation and global market access.
Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility , BCC&I Kolkata , 24 September 2024
On 24 September 2024, CRB and BCC&I organised a successful workshop on “Empowering Businesses: A Workshop on Sustainability Collaboration and Shared Responsibility”, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to India in Kolkata This workshop was part of the EU-India Business Collaborative Initiative on Sustainable Development, Climate Action, and Inclusivity.
Key takeaways:
1. Bridging Expectations: The workshop successfully addressed the gr
owing expectation and understanding of sustainability and SDGs among participants, enhancing awareness and knowledge in this crucial area.
2. Localised Strategies: Recognising that one-size-fits-all approaches do not work in supply chain sustainability, the workshop emphasised the importance of tailoring strategies to regional norms and practices.
3. CSDDD as an Enabler: This legislation aims to reinforce existing good practices in businesses, both upstream and downstream, rather than introducing entirely new concepts.
4. Holistic Approach to Sustainability: EU Green policies encourage companies to focus on environmental responsibility alongside social justice issues, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human rights and labor rights.
5. EU-India Partnership: The strong EU-India partnership on sustainability is evident through various policy dialogues, trade agreements, and collaborative initiatives.
6. Regulatory Alignment: The increasing alignment between Indian and European sustainability regulations offers businesses opportunities for enhanced sustainability practices, global market access, risk mitigation, and innovation-driven growth.
7. Practical Support: Initiatives like the Supply Chain Due Diligence Manager Certification, introduced by IGCC, provide practical support for Indian stakeholders engaging with European markets.
8. EU’s Commitment: The EU has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Indian industry in its sustainability journey through various initiatives and legislations like CSDDD, CBAM, EUDR, ESPR, and WSR.
World Food India 2024: Sustainable Agriculture for Livelihoods Promotion in the North Eastern Region of India (NER), New Delhi, 21 September 2024
Some key takeaways from the Panel Discussion featuring Commodore Rajiv Ashok, Rijit Sengupta, Shri Anshuman Dey, IFS Mr. Alay Barah, Ms. Dipanwita Chakraborty
– Important to lay emphasis on the opportunities of the North Eastern Region and create a forward looking agenda and approach its execution in collaborative manner
– Challenges faced by the agricultural value chain such as access to capital could potentially be addressed by increasing CSR funding to the region
– The implementation of a climate-resilient approach in the region is encouraged
– There is the imperative for identification and application of Appropriate technology, in sync with the needs on the grounds and local realities.
ISS24 Regional Curtain Raisers, PHDCC & CRB, PHDCC Jaipur, Rajasthan, 20 September 2024
The panel discussion fostered a productive conversation that covered several key topics, including:
• The evolving policy landscape for sustainable business globally and in India
• Opportunities for Rajasthan to capitalize on emerging market trends and expectations around sustainable business practices
• Strategies to prevent and mitigate existing and potential risks in key sectors
• Supporting factors to help balance industry competitiveness with measurable benefits for people and nature
The event was supported by CUTS International, SKIT Jaipur, Plastic Manufacturers Association Rajasthan, Jaipuria Institute of Management, INA SOLAR, Polywood Flooring, Federation of Mining Associations of Rajasthan, Bhagwati Plastic and Pipe Industries, RSA | Rajasthan Solar Association, Royal Desert Safaris Pvt. Ltd., DDPharma, and the Association of Garment Exporters Sitapura.
Advancing Sustainability through EU-India Business Stakeholder Collaboration Delegation of the European Union to India, Indian Danish Chamber of Commerce (IDCC), the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture, Pune, and NürnbergMesse India Pvt. Ltd., Pune, 2 July 2024
The event united a diverse group of stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts toward sustainability. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our speakers, partners, and participants for their contributions to the success of this event.
This discussion was organized in partnership with the Indian Danish Chamber of Commerce (IDCC), the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture, Pune, and NürnbergMesse India Pvt. Ltd.
Advancing Sustainability through EU-India Business Stakeholder Collaboration Delegation of the European Union to India, Consulate General of Denmark in Bangalore, FKCCI - Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and NürnbergMesse India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, 27 June 2024
This discussion was organized in partnership with the Consulate General of Denmark in Bangalore, the FKCCI – Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and NürnbergMesse India Pvt. Ltd.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from EU and Indian businesses, EU member state consulates, bilateral organizations, Indian chambers of commerce, partners, and other experts. The aim was to explore and enhance collaborative efforts for sustainable development. The discussions were insightful, highlighting the critical role of EU-India collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. Participants shared best practices and identified actionable steps to foster innovation.
Exploring EUDR: Building Awareness, Webinar, 30 April 2024
The ‘Exploring EUDR: Building Awareness’ event, hosted by The Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (I-SPOC), gathered a dynamic crowd of over 100 participants eager to delve into the world of sustainability on April 30, 2024. From insightful presentations to engaging panel discussions, During the workshop the discussion delved into the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation EUDR and its significant role in driving the EU’s climate-neutral goals while safeguarding vital commodities, gaining insights into implementation and implications.
Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Amongst Indian Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) ( Responsible Business Workshop for Pharmaceutical SMEs ), Hyderabad, 25 & 26 April 2024
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) in collaboration with Atal Incubation Centre, ALEAP WE-Hub, and supported by UNDP in India hosted a workshop “Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Among Indian Small & Medium Enterprises – Responsible Business Workshop for Pharmaceutical SMEs,” Experts shared invaluable insights and strategies for sustainable growth in the Pharma sector. The workshop took place on 25 & 26 April 2024 in Hyderabad.
Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Amongst Indian Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) (Responsible Business Workshop for Agri SMEs ), Hyderabad, 24 April 2024
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) in collaboration with Atal Incubation Centre, ALEAP WE-Hub, and supported by UNDP in India hosted a workshop ‘Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Among Indian Small & Medium Enterprises – Responsible Business Workshop for Agri SMEs’, in Hyderabad on April 24, 2024. This workshop was part of our ongoing collaboration with UNDP in India, aimed to support SMEs in their sustainability journey.
Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Amongst the Indian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 20 March 2024
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) collaborated with the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and hosted dynamic workshop titled “Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Among Indian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)” on 20 March in New Delhi. This collaborative effort aimed to ignite meaningful conversations and devise actionable strategies for enhancing sustainability within SMEs. The workshop gathered industry experts, thought leaders, and enthusiastic changemakers who delved into innovative approaches, shared best practices, and tackled pressing challenges confronting SMEs on their sustainability journey.
Agriculture and Food Operational Guidelines for Business in India, 27 February 2024
The Centre for Responsible Business, Capitals Coalition, and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) organized a Training Workshop on Operational Guidelines for the Agri-food Sector in India. The workshop took place on February 27, 2024. During the workshop, participants acquired a foundational understanding of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for Agriculture and Food Operational Guidelines for Business, comprehended mechanisms to implement sustainable practices to meet market demands, grasped ways to navigate the operational challenges faced by businesses in the agricultural value chain, and explored practical strategies for integrating sustainability into business operations.
Shifting Gears: Advancing Sustainability Amongst Indian Businesses, 12 February 2024
The Online work took place on February 12, 2024, in collaboration with UNDP in India, Centre for Responsible Business, Business & Human Rights Network, Delegation of the European Union to India, and UNDP B+HR, delving into the core of sustainability and business ethics through the lens of Business & Human Rights. The workshop focused on understanding sustainability trends and expectations from investors, businesses, and regulatory authorities, deep diving into Business & Human Rights concepts and tools, and deliberating challenges and discovering solutions to enhance sustainability and competitiveness.
Orientation Workshop for FPOs Localising SDGs into Agricultural Value Chains in the North Eastern Region, 9 February 2024
NERAMAC Ltd, Centre for Responsible Business, and MMGLD hosted a capacity-building workshop on February 9, 2024, in Guwahati, Assam, bringing together 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and 6 Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs). The rationale behind holding this workshop was to inculcate a foundational understanding and appreciation of the SDGs using an approach that encouraged self-assessment. The workshop highlighted the importance of placing SDGs at the core of agricultural value chains in the North Eastern region, paving the way for a potential Win-Win for FPOs and market actors alike.
Opportunities and Challenges for Transitioning Towards Sustainable Palm Oil for the Home and Personal Care Industry, 19 January 2024
As part of the event, I-SPOC organized its 10th Members Meeting on the 19th of January 2024. The meeting was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Opportunities and Challenges for Transitioning towards sustainable palm oil for the Home and Personal Care Industry’. At the end of the session, I-SPOC launched a briefing paper on Aligning Sustainability Principles into Oil Palm Production Policy in India. The primary purpose and target of the briefing paper is to provide a set of recommendations to the central and state government for aligning sustainability principles into the ongoing national palm oil production initiative.
Fostering Future-Ready Workplaces: Charting the Course for Sustainable Organisational Growth and Innovation, Gurugram, 18 January 2024
Key Takeaways from the Workshop:
- Embracing Family-Friendly Policies, Social Inclusion, & Sustainability: Experts shared how inclusive and sustainable practices, along with family-friendly policies, benefit both ethics and business.
- Growth & Development: Strategies discussed aligned organisational growth with social sustainability, creating a win-win scenario.
- Future-Ready Approaches: Participants learned how to adopt family-friendly policies and practices to build adaptable and resilient workplaces.
- Practical Insights: Real-world examples highlighted the impactful outcomes of socially responsible policies.
Fostering Future-Ready Workplaces: Charting the Course for Sustainable Organisational Growth and Innovation, Gurugram, 18 January 2024
On 18 January 2024, at Gurugram, CRB in partnership with UNICEF India and FISME hosted a workshop ‘Fostering Future-Ready Workplaces: Charting the Course for Sustainable Organisational Growth and Innovation’.
Key Takeaways from the workshop: -Embracing Family-Friendly Policies, Social Inclusion, & Sustainability: Our experts shared how inclusive and sustainable practices with family-friendly policies are not just good ethics but also good for business!
- Growth & Development: We delved into strategies that align organisational growth with social sustainability – a true win-win!
- Future-Ready Approaches: Participants learned about family-friendly policies and practices to make -workplaces adaptable and resilient in the face of future challenges.
- Practical Insights: Real-world examples demonstrated the powerful impact of socially responsible policies.
2023
Navigating The Textile Sector’s Certification Landscape for Global Competitiveness, December 6, 2023
On December 6, 2023, the Centre for Responsible Business, in collaboration with German Cooperation Deutsche Zusammenarbeit, GIZ, and develoPPP, hosted a thought-provoking discussion on ‘Navigating The Textile Sector’s Certification Landscape for Global Competitiveness.’ The event also featured two ‘Fireside Chats’ that explored the pivotal role of certifications in promoting sustainability and enhancing export competitiveness within the Indian Agriculture and Textile (A&T) Sector.
India and Sustainabitity Standards, India and Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 6 - 8 November, 2023
Centre for Responsible Business ‘s annual conference India and Sustainability Standards successfully concluded on 8th November.
The event was attended by 1200+ delegates, 50+ partners, and 150+ speakers. Started in 2013, India and Sustainability Standards is a collaborative event, where diverse stakeholders converge to dialogue and develop roadmaps across key sustainability issues and industry sectors for building the momentum towards Sustainability. This year’s conference theme was ‘Solutions for Sustainability & Inclusivity: Policy, Innovation & Collaboration’.
Reckitt workshop, Reckitt & CRB & Earthworm Foundation, Delhi, 26th October, 2023
Reckitt, CRB, and the Earthworm Foundation hosted a closed workshop on 26 October 2023, focusing on sustainable palm oil production.
Driving Positive Impacts in the Apparel and Textile Sector through Transparency and Net Zero, 17th October, 2023
Solidaridad, regenagri, CITI (The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry) & Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) hosted the Business Roundtable on ‘Driving Positive Impacts in the Apparel and Textile Sector through Transparency and Net Zero’ on October 17, 2023, in Bengaluru. Stakeholders present at the Roundtable were informed by the Alliance of Cotton and textile Stakeholders on Regenerative Agriculture (ACRE). Emphasis was laid on the opportunity to engage with ACRE via multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Building Capacity to Transition to Net-Zero, ALEAP & CRB, Webinar, 9th October 2023
On 9th October a series of conversations took place with MSMEs in India as they geared up for reducing their emissions’ footprint. This webinar was organised by Centre for Responsible Business and the SME Climate Hub.
MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero, SME Climate Hub & Women On Wings & CRB, Webinar, 29 September 2023
ISS Curtain Raiser - Solutions for Sustainability and Inclusivity: Policy, Innovation and Collaboration, Centre For Responsible Business, Bangalore, Karnataka, 15 September 2023
Stakeholder Dialogue on Digitisation for Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals in Karnataka, EU Delegation to India $ Indian Institute of Management Bangalore &CRB, Bangalore, Karnataka, 14 September 2023
On 14 September 2023, the Centre for Responsible Business and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to India and globalgateway, hosted a “Stakeholder Dialogue on Digitalisation for Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals in Karnataka.” The event was a success, bringing together stakeholders from academia, industry, and entrepreneurs to discuss the role of digitalisation in achieving the SDGs in Karnataka.
To read the Stakeholder Dialogue on Digitalisation for Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals in Karnataka report click here.
The Role of Technology in the Circular Economy: Can innovative solutions help us overcome the challenges? International council for Circular Economy, Virtual, 8 September 2023
Devyani Hari was invited to the webinar discussion titled “The Role of Technology in Circular Economy: Can Innovative Solutions Help Us Overcome the Challenges?” on September 8, 2023. The key highlights of the discussion were on how innovation and the acceptance of novel solutions can help us overcome the challenges faced during the transition.
MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero, SME Climate Hub & IamSME of India & CRB, Faridabad, Delhi NCR, 31 August 2023
For the event shown above please use this content: The Centre for Responsible Business, SME Climate Hub, and IamSMEofIndia co-hosted an event titled “MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero” in Faridabad, India, on August 31, 2023. The workshop on MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero aimed to provide a platform for MSMEs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in transitioning towards low-carbon business models. Additionally, the workshop explored various capacity-building approaches, including training and education, financial incentives, and policy support.
MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero, SME Climate Hub &The Insititute of Indian Foundrymen Belgaum Foundation Cluster & CRB, Belgaum, Karnataka, 25 August 2023
The Centre for Responsible Business and SME Climate Hub co-hosted an event at the Convention Hall, Belgaum Foundry Cluster, Belgaum, Karnataka, India on Friday, August 25th, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and followed by another session from 7:30 pm. The event was titled “MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero”. The workshop aimed to provide a platform for MSMEs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share experiences, best practices, and challenges encountered during the transition toward low-carbon business models. It explored various approaches to capacity building, encompassing training, education, financial incentives, and policy support. The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) Belgaum Chapter provided industry association support for this event.
ISS Curtain Raiser - Solutions for Sustainability and Inclusivity: Policy, Innovation and Collaboration, Pune, Maharasthra, 24 August 2023
The Centre for Responsible Business is excited to announce its first #IndiaandSustainabilityStandards Curtain Raiser event, co-hosted by Mahindra Lifespaces, titled ‘Solutions for Sustainability and Inclusivity: Policy, Innovation, and Collaboration.’ This event will take place in Mumbai on August 24th, running from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM IST. To read the ISS Curtain Raiser report click here
16th Edition of Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Environment and Energy Conclave, New Delhi, 23 August 2023
CRB moderated a session on “Sustainable Approaches and Circular Economy” at the 16th Edition of Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Environment and Energy Conclave. The panel consisted of a diverse array of participants including businesses, technical and subject matter experts, representatives from academia, and international organizations.
Multi-stakeholder Dialogue for Collaborative Actions on Sustainable Production and Consumption in Maharashtra, Pune, Maharasthra, 22 August 2023
On 22 August 2023, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Responsible Business co-hosted a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG 12) in Pune, Maharashtra. The event was organised with the support of the EU Delegation to India and was attended by over 50 participants from different industry sectors and academia. The event discussed the challenges and opportunities for promoting sustainable consumption and production in Maharashtra. The participants shared their experiences and insights on how to reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable future.
To read the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG 12) report click here.
Towards Effective Implementation of Mission LiFE: from Consumer Duties to Consumer Rights, New Delhi, 10th Aug 2023
The Delegation of the European Union to India & Centre for Responsible Business hosted an event ‘Towards Effective Implementation of Mission LiFE: From Consumer Duties to Consumer Rights’. The event was held in New Delhi (Hybrid) on 10th August 2023. This event aimed to bring together a distinguished gathering of experts including Dr. Michael Bucki, Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Dr. Manish Pande, Urmi Goswami, Madhuri Nanda, Ph.D., Vimlendu Jha, Yugal Kishore Joshi, Neha Tomar, to reflect upon successful EU and Indian examples of how eco-labels and other market and policy instruments could contribute to the Mission LiFE initiative principles and priorities. The event fostered collaborative action planning, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to develop sustainable strategies that advanced the cause of responsible consumption. The idea of LiFE Mission is an amalgamation of action of individuals, private sector along with enabling policy environment.
MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero, Hyderabad, 4th Aug 2023
Centre for Responsible Business and SME Climate Hub Hosted an event at Nimsme in Hyderabad on August 4th on “MSMEs Capacity Building on Race to Net-Zero”
Purpose Beyond Profit: Reimagining Global Value Chains for Inclusive Green Growth , July 6, 2023, at Marriott Shillong, Meghalaya
Centre for Responsible Business recently curated a session titled “Purpose Beyond Profit: Reimagining Global Value Chains for Inclusive Green Growth” during the recent T20 India Side event – Nature Solves: A New Framework for Our Sustainable Future, on July 6, 2023, at Marriott Shillong, Meghalaya.
The event brought together esteemed senior practitioners and professionals: R P Gurung, Sukanya Narain, Sabyasachi Dutta, Neha Kumar, Tim Bosch , Devyani Hari, Nicolas J.A. Buchoud, the forum aimed at identifying pathways and establishing new self-sustaining networks for further collaborative actions, ensuring nature-positive economic development for the North-eastern region of India and beyond.
G20, T20 , ORF , MEGHALAYA BASIN MANAGEMENT AGENCY MBMA ,Centre for Responsible Business, Government of Meghalaya
Watch the full session here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FeaHT34ZE0&list=PLlB_u_C13lPsmxJtyzmSuZQIx1UmZBbwA&index=5
Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on sustainability and SDGs in the North Eastern Region, 31st May 2023
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and the Media Management Group for Literacy and Development (MMGLD) successfully hosted the “Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on sustainability and SDGs in the North Eastern Region” on May 31, 2023, in Guwahati, Assam. This event marked the second gathering in a series of roundtables organized by CRB with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to India.
The event brought together senior practitioners from the government, businesses, CSOs, and entrepreneurs, who gathered to identify potential ideas for collaborative actions on specific SDGs, with a particular emphasis on women entrepreneurship, youth, and empowerment.
The primary objective of these roundtables was to explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration between CSOs, businesses, the government, and other key stakeholders on Sustainability and SDGs.
To read the Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on sustainability and SDGs in the North Eastern Region report click here.
Stakeholder Conclave on Sustainable Palm Oil, 24th May 2023 -
The Centre for Responsible Business successfully concluded the event ‘Stakeholder Conclave on Sustainable Palm Oil’ hosted by The Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (I-SPOC), which took place on May 24, 2023, in New Delhi.
The event aimed to deliberate and gather inputs from relevant stakeholders, including government, businesses, and policymakers, on the integration of sustainability into the domestic production of palm oil in India, with a specific focus on the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). In addition, The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, businesses, and policymakers to discuss the integration of sustainability practices in India’s domestic palm oil production.
Multi-stakeholder Dialogue for Collaborative Actions on Sustainability and SDGs, 8th May 2023
Centre for Responsible Business and The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an event titled “Multi-stakeholder Dialogue for Collaborative Actions on Sustainability and SDGs” on May 8, 2023, in Kolkata, India. This event was part of a series of roundtables organized by CRB across four cities in India, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to India.
The main objective of the dialogue was to foster deeper collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), businesses, government bodies, and other stakeholders in order to expedite the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event in Kolkata gathered distinguished speakers and senior-level practitioners from the state government to explore potential ideas for collaborative actions targeting specific SDGs.
To read the Multi-stakeholder Dialogue for Collaborative Actions on Sustainability and SDGs report click here.
9th Members Meeting, 12th April 2023
I-SPOC conducted its 9th Members Meeting on 12th April 2023 in Mumbai.More than 20 organisations attended the meeting.Other than giving an overview of the activities of I-SPOC and collecting insights from members and observers regarding achievements, issues, challenges and support needed, there was a launch of two knowledge products namely; Policy Input Note on Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation – Production of Sustainable Palm Oil in India and Practitioner & Guide on Mitigating Risks in Financial Agro Commodities at the meeting.
India and Fashion Forum, February 28 - 01 March, 2023
At India Fashion Forum 2023, the Centre for Responsible Business co-hosted a session titled “BRANDS WITH PURPOSE: TIME TO WALK THE TALK” on 1 March 2023 at Conrad Bengaluru. The session focused on discussing the power and urgency of sustainable fashion initiatives that create real and lasting value in Indian markets. During the session, the speakers highlighted the fashion industry sustainability landscape and launched the INDIA BUSINESS OF FASHION REPORT 2023 (IBFF), the first study on 100 Global Green Initiatives in Fashion.
Decoding Sustainability: Integrating Sustainability into Everyday Life, 27 January 2023
2022
India Food Forum 2022, 9th and 8 th December 2022
WWF-India and CRB represented I-SPOC at the India Food Forum 2022 which was held on 7-8 December 2022 at the Westin Mumbai, Powai Lake. I-SPOC booth (A01) was installed at the exhibition area. In the event Rijit Sengupta from CRB and Sanjana Das with Rittika Barua from WWF-India represented I-SPOC at the India Food Forum 2022. Senior officials from DBL, Aishwari Agro Foods, Plant Based Industry Association amongst others visited the I-SPOC booth during the event.
Reclaim to Regenerate: Towards Regenerative Cotton Sector in India, 29th November 2022
CRB had entered into a partnership with Solidaridad to promote regenerative agricultural practices starting with the cotton sector in india. Solidaridad Asia , Centre for responsible business and Regenagri launched the first regenerative cotton alliance in India – alliance of cotton & textile stakeholders on regenerative agriculture (acre) in Nagpur.
The objectives of the events were to:
● To discuss the broader dimensions of Regenerative Cotton in India.
● To convene key stakeholders and deliberate and identify roles of different stakeholders to
promote regenerative cotton in India
● To discuss the potential roadmap for Regenerative Cotton in India and announce the
Declaration for the cotton program in Nagpur
IVPA-CRB-RSPO event, 18th - 19th November 2022
The event was organized in association with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) which focused on bringing together edible oil experts, researchers, technologists and industry players having major stake in Vegetable Oils and Oilseeds. The program included specific lectures, roundtable and panel discussions related to Market dynamics, Supply & Demand, Self Sufficiency in Veg Oil, Oil Palm and Sustainability issues, among others. The meeting also hosted an exhibition space, in parallel.
2nd November - 4th November 2022 - India and Sustainability Standards 2022
The theme of this year’s event was “Prioritising Nature and People in Business to Create Measurable Impacts”. The conference convened international and Indian businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss, deliberate and develop roadmaps across key sustainability issues and industry sectors – in supporting the momentum towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
13th October 2022 - Shaping sustainability systems to achieve sustainability goals online workshop
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), ISEAL and VSS Collaboration India hosted the workshop. During this workshop, inputs were shared to help shape the Code and the future performance of sustainability systems to support the needs of companies, from multinationals to small producers. The aim of the workshop was to understand the fundamentals of credible sustainability systems, how they could help companies achieve sustainability goals, and how they should be responding to developments in the sustainability landscape.
Progress Closing Event, 20 Sept 2022
| Event Name | Partner | Location | Event Date |
| PROGRESS Closing Event | Aston & IDRC | Delhi | 20-Sep-22 |
Emerging Trends in Sustainability, Responsibility & Due Diligence – Unlocking Potential for Businesses in South Asia, 15 sept 2022
The purpose of this panel discussion was to deliberate on the emerging global trends and
expectations and assess the preparedness of South Asian businesses. The Panel elaborated on the global shift and focus on human rights and environment impacts in business operations and reflected on ways businesses can enhance competitiveness with respect to ESG indicators and thereby amplify market access and investments. Read the full discussion here
Collectively Building Sustainable and Resilient Global Value Chains, 7 sept 2022
The Centre for Responsible Business and CSR-Europe organized a panel discussion entitled “Collectively Building Sustainable and Resilient Global Value Chains”, with the aim of initiating a dialogue on how should countries that are part of global value chains collaborate to achieve common goals on sustainability and resilience? What has been the experiences in such collaboration, and what are key lessons for the future? This dialogue was part of a project being undertaken by CRB in partnership with the Aston Business School, UK and with support from IDRC, Canada.
The objectives of the seminar were to:
- Reflect on recent key developments shaping Sustainable Global Value Chains
- Discuss the role of different actors in Global Value Chains
- Examine how have Global Value Chain Actors Collaborated and what are some lessons learned
- Discuss and design specific Call to Action to promote Collaboration on Sustainable and Resilient Global Value Chains
Inspire and Mobilise Action to Reduce Food Losses in Retail Supply Chains, 6 sept 2022
| Event Name | Partner | Location | Event Date | Objective of the Event |
| Inspire and Mobilise Action to Reduce Food Losses in Retail Supply Chains | WRI | New Delhi | 6-Sep-22 | WRI India, CRB and FOLU India Coalition are organizing this consultation to focus on understanding scope, challenges, and opportunities for reducing food loss in the context of the retail value chain in India. |
Dialogue on Advancing Sustainability and Responsible Business in the North Eastern region 9th July 2022
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB – www.c4rb.org) and Media Management Group
for Literacy & Development (MMGLD – www.mmgld.in) are keen to facilitate dialogue and
actions on Sustainability and Responsible Business in the North Eastern region of India, to
meet the interest of the local people, economy and the environment. Read the full discussion here
Mapping and Conceptualising of EU CSR and Sustainability Action Platform in India Report release on 29th June 2022
CRBand the delegation of the European Union to India released the report, “Mapping and Conceptualising of EU CSR and Sustainability Action Platform in India.”
Awareness and Capacity Building on Sustainable Electronics on 27th June, 2022
Awareness session was organized for employees of BHEL electronics division as part of world environment month.
Consultation with Ahmedabad RMG Suppliers 15 June 2022
A consultation with RMG suppliers in Ahmedabad cluster. The discussion revolved around the challenges faced by suppliers, social sustainability, it’s risk to the business and possible solutions.
A regional consultation to 'explore feasibility of a value chain alliance for bamboo in the northeast' with WRI India 8 June 2022
Discussion with Tiruppur RMG Exporters 8 June 2022
A productive discussion with Tiruppur rmg exporters on the existing compliance system, self-Assessment, challenges the local industry faces, environment and social sustainability and co-creation of industry-led initiatives.
International resource panel (irp) the 10 yfp forum 2022 31st May, 2022
Rijit Sengupta, CEO- CRB, spoke at a session hosted during the one planet network – 10yfp forum. The session focused on the role consumer information can play in enabling the required transformations towards scp, highlighting current challenges, and discussing key solutions to increase the effectiveness of consumer information and how to upscale the best available tools to drive more substantial changes.
Retailers leadership summit on 28th April 2022
CRB supported WWF ndia at retailers leadership summit on 28th April 2022. An insightful panel discussion was held on incorporating responsible sourcing in retail supply chains
Quarterly Partners Meeting FOLU India CREST 26 April 2022
After the official launch of the CREST initiative at the India Sustainability Standards conference held in 2021, a quarterly Partners’ Meeting under FOLU India CREST program was organised on 26 April, 2022. The lead up to the partners meeting entailed the holding of Stakeholderconsultations. During this time, Centre for Responsible Business was identified as the Co- ordinating Unit for FOLU CREST. An agenda of the meeting was shared with all partners prior to the meeting. Read the full discussion here
Meeting with Owners of Apparel Export Factories in Jaipur Apparel & Textile Cluster 23 April 2022
CRB and UNICEFIndia with support from AGES Jaipur gathered to discuss making the Jaipur rmg industry a family-friendly and sustainable model cluster.
Circular apparel paper release on 19th April 2022
CRB released its paper on circular apparel in India on 19th April 2022 . CRB has developed this report to identify priority areas for circular economy interventions in the Indian textile and apparel value chain. It aims at delivering an aggregated understanding of the sector and stakeholder perspectives, as well as at informing policy on circular economy integration.
Disability inclusion in south asia : perspective for labour market (in collaboration with fnf) 24 March, 2022
8th meeting of voluntary sustainable standard collaboration india 9 February 2022
The 8th meeting of voluntary sustainable standard collaboration india was held on 9 february 2022 virtually. This meeting’s focus was on “vss and climate change in india”. It was attended by prominent leaders from different industries who are working on sustainability and issues related to climate and climate change in india. The steps taken by the indian government to address the issue such as highlighting a pathway to reduce the use of fossil fuels, lower carbon intensity, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 were also discussed. The role of the vss collaboration india in supporting the vss organisations to achieve india’s climate ambitions by 2070 was also highlighted. View the recording here.
2021
Accelerating and Reinforcing Transformative change for Societal Resilience, 27th - 29th Oct 2021
Circular Economy (CE) considerations (design out waste & pollution; keep materials and products in use, and regenerate natural systems) are emerging as a key factor in facilitating a resource efficient, resilient and equitable growth for countries involved in global supply chains. While the discourse on CE principles has primarily emanated from countries in the Global North, countries in the Global South, as major producer economies, have different incentives and needs when it comes to applying CE principles. There is need for awareness and capacity building, technology and business model innovation, more conducive policies and regulations and availability of requisite finance. CE principles also provide the opportunity to facilitate inclusive and equitable growth through creation of new employment opportunities, upskilling/reskilling and factoring in the requirements of just transition.
To ensure sustainability of operations keeping in mind the identity and values of SMEs, the webinar titled, “Unpacking Business and Human Rights for SMEs – The forefront to steer Responsible Business Conduct across industries”, co–organised by Centre for Responsible Business and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) South Asia, endeavours to address the topics of relevance, expectations and implications of Business and Human Rights for SMEs through a webinar series.
Rijit Sengupta, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), shared his views on Food Loss and Waste at the webinar on Fostering Friends of Champions 12.3 in India organised by WRI India. CRB has recently authored a Briefing Paper on Food Loss and Waste
His insights at the webinar include that businesses need to be engaged with the SDGs and calls for better capacity building on the business case of addressing Food Loss and Waste.
Furthermore, he shared that the principles of Circular Economy can be applied in the approach of addressing Food Loss and Waste and that there is a need for a dedicated policy at the national level.
With the goal of enabling change, helping businesses and governments to be more responsible and ethical by adapting sustainable practices, the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), and the Melton Foundation organized a panel discussion on the topic “Rethinking Sustainable Consumption and Production: Shifting Business and Consumption Patterns”.
This informative session included speakers from businesses, academia, research organizations working on sustainability and sustainable development. One Planet network – 10YFP and Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy – India were among the key panelists.
Catch the conversation here.
I-SPOC Open Day, 23rd June 2021
- Building a business case – how to develop a business case for sustainable palm oil,
- Marketing – communication and branding
- Research – availability and access to information on sustainable palm oil, awareness creation and capacity building and
- Sustainability initiatives – Relevant sustainability initiatives on Sustainable Palm Oil by various stakeholders
CRB, with support from The Refashion Hub and Water Management Forum (under Institute of Engineers India), is working on a campaign on increasing awareness among stakeholders about wastewater reuse, especially in the textile sector in India. CRB organized a multi-stakeholder workshop on various aspects of wastewater reuse and how it can be supported through policies and incentives. Catch the full conversation here.
Read more about the initiative here.
Inclusive Finance India Summit, 22nd April 2021
Devyani Hari represented CRB as a speaker for the Inclusive Finance India Summit session on Sustainable Finance, organised by ACCESS ASSIST. She shared her views on practicing Sustainable Finance & what it means for financial institutions.
TEEB-AgriFood for Business training program, offered by the Capitals Coalition in collaboration with the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), is an opportunity for businesses to learn and hone skills to measure and value their business’ impacts and dependencies on natural, social and human capital. Guiding them through each stage of the TEEBAgriFood Operational Guidelines a tool for businesses, this program aimed to arm businesses with the knowledge to identify the risks and opportunities associated with their business’ interaction with the capitals, and learn how to integrate and apply these considerations into their business decision making.
Consumer Assisto International Conference, 15th March 2021
On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, Rijit Sengupta represented CRB as a panelist at the Consumer Assisto International Conference, and shared his views on the present & future of consumerism & role of sustainable living.
Retailers Association of India’s Retail Leadership Summit 2021, 24th February 2021
CRB and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) were the silver partners for Retailers Association of India’s Retail Leadership Summit 2021. Rijit Sengupta, represented CRB as a panelist for the discussion on, ‘Leadership in Sustainable Sourcing – How to transition to certified Sustainable Palm Oil in India.’
The One Planet Network – 10YFP and the International Resource Panel (IRP) have released a new report on the Value Chain Approach to action on sustainable consumption and production SCP. The purpose is to identify key points of intervention within economic systems to reduce natural resource use and environmental impacts caused by production and consumption to define a common agenda for action. The report shares findings from its application to three critical sectors: food, construction and textiles. Read the report here and learn more about this action-oriented approach.
CRB & the Capitals Coalition co-hosted a virtual roundtable discussion to review and discuss the Agri-food Operational Guideline that has been developed by Capitals Coalition under the aegis of The Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity for Agriculture and Food (TEEB AgriFood). The guidelines were presented to a wide range of stakeholders, and participants were given the opportunity to learn, provide comments and input into the development process.
2020
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) together with Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) & Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) organized a webinar on “Responsible Business: Practitioners Guide to Business & Human Rights”, on 10th December 2020. Nandini Sharma represented CRB for the discussions & dialogue.
CRB organized a virtual workshop on ‘Delivering on SDGs: Aligning action by the Global North with Southern priorities’ on 10th December 2020 under the aegis of PROGRESS project. The session with two parallel sessions was focused on ‘decent work & gender equality in global value chains’ and ‘managing food loss & food waste – a multi-stakeholder approach’.
TX-PROGRESS-GLOW Korero-Roundtable discussion was organized by CRB under the aegis of the PROGRESS Project (c4rb.org/progress) in collaboration with Traidcraft Exchange & Project G.L.O.W. The discussion explored what resilient livelihood structures could look like in the context of a pandemic/post-pandemic world.
Bhavya Sharma represented CRB as the youth leader to collaborate & find collective climate solutions. The Youth for Sustainability (YfS) India Alliance brings together like-minded youth-oriented organisations focused on SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 – Climate Action on a common national platform in the form of an Alliance to help India achieve its targets under SDG 12 and 13 with the youth as the accelerator. CRB is actively working as the member of the alliance.
The three-day conference brought together over 200 speakers from across the world, over 60 partner organisations committed to the theme of the conference – as they dissected and discussed a number of critical sustainability issues across the 28 thematic and sectoral sessions. Four high-level plenary sessions brought the most experienced practitioners from government, industry, civil society and academia to discuss complex issues around – (i) designing an enabling ecosystem for business behaviour; (ii) role of businesses post COVID19 in creating sustainable and inclusive recovery; (iii) strengthening business disclosure and leadership and (iv) building a responsible forest economy.
Catch the conversation and discussion of CRB’s Annual Flagship India & Sustainability Standards Conference 2020 here.
Find the conference booklet here.
The webinar was organized by CRB together with RAI, RSPO & I-SPOC with the aim to explore the business case for sustainable procurement in food retail in India. The discussion addressed supply chain risks & transparency along with consumer trends.
Event on ‘Private Sector Contribution to the Decade of Action: Catalyzing Collaboration across the Global North & South’, 30th September 2020
CRB together with World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), co-hosted a parallel event at UNGA2020 titled, ‘Private Sector Contribution to the Decade of Action: Catalyzing Collaboration across the Global North & South’. The event explored how we can ensure closer alignment between the North & South to facilitate concerted and accelerated action on sustainability, how international businesses and their partners can expect to collaborate post COVID19 given changes to global value chains, what kinds of collaborative models/approaches have worked, and how future collaborations & stakeholder engagements are likely to develop.
CRB held a national-level workshop on how public policy can enable and accelerate circular economy transition in the apparel and textile industry in India, in partnership with Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) & Fashion For Good & supported by Laudes Foundation. Findings on cluster-level challenges to circularity, their solutions and relevant policy support were presented, followed by a panel discussion by representatives from the Government as well as industry experts. Need for R&D, industry benchmarking, shared responsibility and accounting for embedded natural resources emerged as some of the important themes.
CRB was the cooperating partner for the 8th World Sustainability Forum 2020. The themes for the year 2020 were:
- Food Security and Agriculture
- Mobility and Transport
CRB, along with CAIF and FFG, held this workshop to solicit inputs from stakeholders from the apparel and textile sector in Tamil Nadu, on priority issues and solutions required for a transition towards circular economy. Policy intervention ideas were also discussed, which could help a sector-wide transition in the state. The workshop was attended by manufacturers, innovators, brands, and government agencies from Tirupur, Coimbatore, Karur, etc.
Webinar on, ‘Circular Apparel & Textile – A Strategy for Better Preparedness’, 20th July 2020
The webinar was organized by Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore together with CRB & The Textile Association of India. The agenda of the webinar was to provide an overview of the apparel & textile sector & impact of COVID19. Various aspects of circularity in apparel & textile & promotion of sustainable development in the sector were discussed.
CRB convened the fifth meeting of the VSS Collaboration India (a coalition of VSS organisations working in India) on July 2, 2020. The objective was to discuss and learn from the perspectives and experiences of the VSS organisations over the course of the pandemic and the lockdown. The discussions covered the following: Understanding the impacts of COVID19 on business continuity and sustainable business practices in India Discussions on COVID19’s impact on VSS organisations & mitigation measures – sharing of experiences Perspectives and suggestions from VSS organisations to ‘Build Back (Forward) Better’
CRB hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on ‘COVID19 & its Impact on Food Waste – a multi-stakeholder dialogue’ on 19th June 2020. The webinar discussed the impacts on the agricultural value chain – specifically the problem of food waste due to COVID19 and how policies, private sector initiatives & ground-level interventions can help find lasting solutions, especially in the context of SDG12 – Sustainable Consumption & Production.
CRB at the NIFT Webinar on ‘Significance on Information & Communication Technology in Integrating Sustainability during COVID19 Lockdown’, 29th May 2020
A workshop on ‘Significance on Information & Communication Technology in integrating Sustainability during COVID-19 lockdown’ on 29th May 2020, organised by NIFT Delhi, was moderated by Rijit Sengupta, CEO, CRB. The webinar saw eminent speakers who discussed how the ICT sector has incorporated sustainability in India; and emerging/new ways of promoting sustainability post COVID-19.
To mark the launch of TEEBAgriFood business implementation project by UNEP in India, a webinar was organised by CRB together with The Capitals Coalition on 29th April 2020.
The Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (I-SPOC) organised its third meeting of Members virtually on 24th April 2020, which was attended by the Members and Observers of the Coalition. Representatives from 20 organisations and businesses came together to discuss the government policy, supply chains and consumer behavior involved in the uptake of sustainable palm oil in India. The objective of this meeting was to formally introduce the members to their Working Group and their Group Chairs and finalize the Action Plan 2020-21.
The media can play a critical role in creating awareness and sensitizing businesses, consumers and other stakeholders on the concept of ‘businesses with purpose’. Understanding the importance of media engagement, a webinar was organised on the theme “Businesses with Purpose Future-Proofing Businesses in a Post COVID-19 World” by CRB, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and WWF-India on 16th April 2020. The webinar saw various actors from the field of businesses, media, think tanks and civil societies express their thoughts and opinions on media and businesses working together during and post the pandemic to push the sustainability agenda forward collectively. They also mentioned that efforts like creating awareness, helping consumers as well as businesses understand sustainability and sustainable growth can create demand for sustainable goods and intensify sustainable business practices.
The fourth meeting of the CRB initiative was held on 18th March 2020 at New Delhi. CRB started this initiative to enable better and closer cooperation among Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) organisations working in India on issues of common interest. VSS organisations participated in this meeting & shared their contributions towards SDGs in India. Sundar N Mishra from NITI Aayog also participated in the meeting.
CRB at the First South Asian Conference on Sustainability in Textile & Apparel Industry 2020, 3rd March 2020
Devyani Hari, Director Programmes, CRB, spoke on the opportunities in Circular Apparel, emergency trends, challenges and the way forward at the First South Asian Conference on Sustainability in Textile & Apparel Industry 2020 held on 3rd March 2020.
Enabling Child and Human Rights with SEED Organisations ECHO event, 2nd March 2020
Devyani Hari, Director Programmes, CRB spoke on Decent Work place standards in the Seed Supply chain and addressed responsible agri supply chains at the ECHO event.
CRB organized a half-day workshop on Circular Economy in Karnataka’s Textile and Apparel sector on 19 February 2020 in Bengaluru, in association with Intellecap and Fashion For Good. The workshop saw participation from spinning mills, brands, start-ups, apparel manufacturers and the state government. The participants brainstormed on challenges in the state’s textile ecosystem against a circular economy transition, and what policy interventions could enable such a transition. The workshop provided CRB with input from relevant stakeholders to identify and propose policy intervention ideas to the state government.
CRB and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) announced the Youth for Sustainability (YfS) fellowship in January 2020 to offer an opportunity to the youth (students and young professionals) to take charge by engaging and shaping the sustainability/SDG agenda based on their own ideas and actions. The fellowship seeks to engage youth specifically on SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption) and SDG 13 (climate action) linking it to the uptake of sustainable palm oil. An orientation meeting for the selected fellows was organized on 17th Feb 2020 at CRB’s office.
‘Financing Local Green Enterprises- Building A Stake of Micro Enterprises in India’s Transition to an Inclusive Green Economy' at the Green Economy Coalition's Global Annual Meeting, 6th February 2020
The Centre for Responsible Business & The Global Green Growth Institute facilitated a session on ‘Financing Local Green Enterprises – Building a Stake of Micro Enterprises in India’s Transition to an Inclusive Green Economy’ at the Green Economy Coalition’s Global Annual Meeting held in New Delhi. The session aimed to consolidate policy asks for ease of financing LGEs. The roundtable participants delved deeper into identified challenges, and explored the potential of new financing models, instruments, regulations and fiscal measures to support LGEs financing. The summary and key recommendations of the session will be shared with the Ministry of MSMEs and UN-PAGE India team will be incorporated in the national policy frameworks and the action plan of PAGE India, which has a special focus on scaling up MSMEs.
2019
Sankalp Global 2019, 27th November 2019, Mumbai
Devyani Hari was invited to speak in the panel discussion on ‘Closing the Gaps: An interactive session on Circular opportunities across the Textile & Apparel Value Chain’ at Sankalp Global Forum 2019 organised by Intellecap as a part of initiative on Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF).
Business and Human Rights Seminar, 25th November 2019, Pune, India
CRB in partnership with Friedrich Nauman Foundation and Indo-German Chambers of Commerce (IGCC) conducted a training workshop on Business and Human Rights in Pune on 25th November 2019. Rijit Sengupta represented CRB and together with Markus Loening, former Human Rights Commissioner of Germany interacted with a group of over 25 participants drawn from various German companies in this session. The discussion was an endeavour to raise awareness among businesses about the purpose and importance of the National Action Plan (NAP) on BHR for businesses. Integration of human rights at the national policy level and current thinking and intent within Government of India on this issue was also shared.
RSPO RT17 Global Conference 2019, 4 - 6th November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand
Rijit Sengupta participated as a speaker at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) RT17 global event held in Bangkok, Thailand from 04-06 November 2019. He highlighted the urgent need for moving towards deforestation free supply chain in India and collaborating with businesses, government agencies, standard organisations and others to drive forward sustainability in the palm oil sector.
Asian Youth for Sustainable Palm Oil Summit (AYSPO), 3rd November 2019, Bangkok, Thailand
Bhavya Sharma, Programme Officer, CRB represented the organisation in the Asian Youth for Sustainable Palm Oil Summit (AYSPO) on 03 November 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. The summit comprised 50 young people from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand who gathered to discuss methods on co-creating their commitments towards a shared responsibility for making sustainable palm oil the norm.
A stakeholder consultation was organised in IIM Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 22 October 2019 to gather input on circular apparel policy priorities among the Gujarat stakeholders – inviting participants from Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara clusters. The workshop saw participation from design institutes, brands, suppliers, innovators and state policy actors. The discussions were focused on the role of innovation, and integrating sustainability and circular economy practices in the way of doing business. A policy brief was prepared and submitted to the Commissioner of Industries and can be seen here.
An International Interface Meeting was held under the auspices of the PROGRESS Project & was organised on 9 October 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland, in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva. The aim was to engage with international actors/ organisations to highlight contributions through this GVC approach on SDGs, particularly in an emerging economy like India. The discussions highlighted that if we are to accelerate the action on sustainability, closer alignment between different interests is the first order of the day. Need for continuous dialogue between actors from the Global North and the Global South was emphasised. Read the brief report of the full discussion here.
The workshop held on 10 September 2019 at NID Ahmedabad, featured speakers from the government, academia (design, textiles, strategic business management), industry (brands, exporters) and entrepreneurs. The discussions emphasised on incorporating circular economy principles in production and consumption as it’s no longer a choice but is a must do for the survival of businesses in the long run. Another important aspect that emerged from the discussion was the need to educate consumers & increase awareness about circular & sustainable apparel. Read the brief report of the full discussion here.
Workshop on Future-Proofing Businesses through Sustainability, 4th September 2019, Birmingham
A workshop titled ‘Future-proofing businesses through sustainability’ was organised as a side event during the British Academy of Management Conference on September 4, 2019 in Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham. The workshop aimed to engage business school scholars and researchers to deliberate on the role of sustainability for safeguarding and strengthening businesses by addressing supply chain risks including those pertaining to working conditions, environmental degradation and transparency/ traceability.
International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union) and Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) in association with Okhla Garment and Textile Cluster (OGTC) co-organised a half day sensitization program and discussions on understanding and management of TB. Read the brief report here.
3rd Circular Economy Symposium of FICCI 2019, 17th - 18th June 2019, New Delhi
Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and Intellecap organised a session on ‘Circular Apparel Policy Innovation’ at this symposium. Rijit Sengupta, CEO represented CRB as a panelist in this session. There was consensus of the need for policy actions to promote circularity in the sector.
A workshop for stakeholders from the Gems & Jewellery sector was organised in Mumbai on May 28th, 2019 with the objective to engage and onboard key stakeholders from the Gems & Jewellery sector (brands, buyers, manufacturers, standards organisations, public agencies, etc.) and to further identify the key issues to promote responsible gems and jewellery supply/value chains. Read the brief report of the full discussion here.
An inception meeting was organised on 9th April, 2019 in New Delhi with key stakeholders from Apparel & Textiles, Agro-processing and Pharmaceutical sector with an objective to introduce the project to key stakeholders and to share the overview of the project across the sectors and receive inputs into the proposed research and practice level interventions. Read the brief report of the discussion here.