Mindset shift needed to drive sustainable CSR, say speakers at The Hindu Sustainability Summit

A change in mindset is needed for corporate social responsibility (CSR) to create a meaningful impact, rather than merely meet compliance requirements, speakers said at a session at The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2026 in Chennai on Wednesday (September 23, 2026).

Addressing the session, titled Responsibility to Impact: Driving sustainable CSR through ESG, Data and Digital Innovation, Rohit Kumar Agrawala, Director (Finance), CPCL, said the environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework has become integral to the ecosystem driving industrial growth and is no longer merely a compliance requirement.

Critical resources cannot be ignored in business management and decision-making, said Mr. Agrawala, who sought to highlight how refinery operations can no longer be viewed in isolation, as the cost of production, competitiveness and CSR are interconnected.

Pointing out that sustainability targets in CPCL are more focused on implementation than intent, he said peer collaboration is also important to scale sustainable solutions and create changes in society.

“We need to move beyond incremental changes and shift from linear to exponential growth in our sustainability efforts,” Mr. Agrawala said and added that CSR metrics should focus not on money spent but on measurable outcomes and impact.

Speakers observed that CSR has evolved from merely counting beneficiaries to understanding their needs and measuring the impact of interventions, driven in part by regulatory requirements.

Geetha Ramamoorthi, founder and principal advisor, Herizon Advisory, said health and education account for a significant share of CSR interventions among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Other SDGs, including sustainable industries and communities, must be brought to the centre of CSR efforts, she said.

A green innovation fund should be created to help startups develop innovative solutions, while cross-skilling programmes can help micro, small and medium industries (MSMEs) build the capabilities needed for the green transition, said Ms. Ramamoorthi.

She also called for greater awareness of sustainability among the future workforce through the introduction of project-based learning in educational institutions. Creating a wider impact in society requires a shift in mindset along with sustained commitment and collective action, she said.

Noting that ESG data largely remains in the reporting phase, Akshay Kurian, head of consulting and supply chain sustainability at Treeni Sustainability Solutions, said it plays an important role in setting a baseline and tracking progress.

With many companies focusing on renewable energy and reducing emissions, Mr. Kurian said ESG data plays a crucial role in decision-making by helping organisations assess progress made and identify areas for improvement. For instance, tracking attrition levels provides insights into workforce trends.

Pointing out that the capability of MSMEs is faster than that of larger companies in addressing sustainability, he said a mindset shift is important to build their capacity for the green transition.

The session was moderated by Geetha Srimathi, senior reporter, The Hindu.