Climate Change, Risk Management, and ESG: An Indian Perspective
Climate change; ESG; ESG disclosures; Risk management; Sustainability
Abstract Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations Organization remarked that the world is reaching the tipping point beyond which climate change may become irreversible. If this happens, we risk denying present and future genera-tions the right to a healthy and sustainable planet that the whole of humanity stands to lose (RBI, Reserve Bank of India Publication, 2022). Climate change has negatively impacted humanity. It has become a focal point of discussion amongst researchers, academicians, and policymakers alike. It has become imperative for companies to assess and mitigate climate risks as a part of the sustainability journey. Many investors and lenders are integrating ESG aspects, including climate risk, into their investment decision-making processes. The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) intro-duced Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), which is a comprehensive framework that seeks disclosures regarding the ESG performance of the companies (SEBI, 2021). However, one of the glaring issues is that most of the disclosures are voluntary in nature, and there are no penalties prescribed for non-disclosure by listed companies in India. In this chapter, we delve into risks posed by climate change on businesses and understand the significance of including the aspect of climate change in corporate planning and strategies. Another important aspect that has been discussed in the chapter is how ESG can be used to address the risks, issues, and challenges posed as a result of climate change. Further, a comparative approach has been adopted to understand the ESG policy framework in India and some prominent jurisdictions like the US, the UK, China, and Japan. We are of the view that framing policies related to mandatory ESG reporting for listed companies and compliance with ESG norms will be the deciding factor for the existence, future readiness, and sustainability of Indian businesses. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.
Approaches to Global Sustainability, Markets, and Governance;Volume;2025;pp.581-596
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-6366-8_29 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013195553?origin=resultslist
Jain S.A., School of Law, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India; Kurian N., School of Law, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India