From Leaders’ Desk on World Environment Day
"On World Environment Day, Randstad India reflects on the theme 'Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.' as both a call to action and a mirror for how businesses must operate today. Sustainability is not a peripheral commitment. From green workplace practices to employee-led environmental awareness drives, we are actively embedding responsible thinking across our operations. Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to 5 SDGs, including gender equality, climate action, decent work, and reduced inequalities. Randstad is also committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, with the goal of reaching a NetZero footprint by 2050.”
Mr. Viswanath PS
MD & CEO, Randstad India
"Sustainability is rapidly becoming a defining factor in industrial and logistics real estate. As occupiers seek greater operational efficiency and investors increasingly favour future-ready assets, green-certified developments are emerging as the new benchmark for the sector. Beyond reducing environmental impact, features such as energy-efficient design, renewable energy integration, water conservation, and circular resource management are delivering long-term business value and resilience. At Welspun One, we are committed to developing IGBC-certified logistics and industrial parks that align growth with sustainability. This World Environment Day, we believe meaningful environmental progress will require stronger collaboration between businesses, governments, and communities to create resilient ecosystems and advance a more sustainable future.”
Mr. Neeraj Balani
Chief Customer Officer, Welspun One
“On World Environment Day, businesses must recognise that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a long-term commitment that should be embedded into everyday operations as well as community impact. At Deltin, we have integrated environment-conscious practices across our operations, with a strong focus on responsible growth and sustainable hospitality. Beyond our business operations, through our community-led initiatives, we continue to drive collective responsibility and meaningful social impact across multiple areas in the locations we operate. We believe real and lasting impact can only be created when businesses, communities, and institutions come together with a shared vision of building a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Mr. Manoj Jain
Chief Operating Officer, Delta Corp Limited
“At Nat Habit, sustainability has always been deeply connected to how we build our products and processes. This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.’ strongly reflects the growing shift towards more conscious consumer choices. Over the last year, through our continuous efforts, we replaced over 35 tonnes of plastic packaging with recyclable paper alternatives, while nearly 72% of our PET packaging now uses recycled PET material. We believe sustainability cannot remain a surface-level conversation. Businesses, institutions, communities, and consumers must collectively adopt more responsible practices across production, packaging, and everyday consumption to create a healthier and more sustainable future.” — Swagatika Das, CEO & Co-founder, Nat Habit."
Ms. Swagatika Das
CEO, Co-founder, Nat Habit
“At Embassy Group, we believe meaningful climate action begins with small, everyday choices. Inspired by the World Environment Day 2026 theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.’, we foster sustainable practices across our workplaces and communities through EMBerald, our volunteer-led sustainability team. Initiatives such as ‘1 Bay 1 Bin’, waste segregation, and reducing single-use materials encourage mindful consumption and responsible waste management. Beyond our campuses, through the EcoGram initiative with TAICT, we have recycled over 1,500 MT of dry waste till date, demonstrating how collective action and strong partnerships can create lasting environmental impact.”
Ms. Shaina Ganapathy
CEO, Co-Head of Community Outreach Initiatives, Embassy Group
“Climate actions must evolve from intent of an integrated and measurable impact. This year’s UN World Environment Day theme 'Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.' reaffirms a foundational truth: ecological restoration and community resilience are not just parallel pursuits they are actually one. At Privi Speciality Chemicals Ltd., our sustainability philosophy is rooted in creating enduring environmental value through water stewardship. From reviving lakes in Kusgaon, Jite, Kiye and Sunebhau villages to strengthening rural water security through wells, storage infrastructure and pipeline connectivity, we are investing in the long-term water resilience of vulnerable regions and communities. Lasting progress demands deeper convergence between industry, policymakers and communities to protect natural resources and honour our shared commitment to India's climate and development future.”
Mr. Mahesh Babani
Chairman and Managing Director, Privi Specialty Chemicals Limited
“The future of innovation will not be defined solely by what products can do, but by the impact they leave behind. Consumers today are making more conscious choices, looking beyond efficacy to understand how products are made, where ingredients come from and the values a brand upholds. This shift is reshaping the beauty and skincare industry, placing greater responsibility on businesses to innovate with purpose. At Fixderma, we believe true progress lies in creating science-backed skincare solutions that are effective, responsible and mindful of the world around us. Sustainability is no longer a separate conversation, it is becoming an integral part of how brands build trust, drive innovation and create long-term value. As we look ahead, the brands that will lead are those that recognise that caring for people and caring for the planet must go hand in hand.”
Ms. Shaily Mehrotra
CEO and Co-Founder, Fixderma Pvt.Ltd
“At Blue Dart, sustainability is becoming an important part of how we build and strengthen our logistics network for the future. This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.’, is a reminder that long-term growth must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. We remain focused on improving operational efficiency, encouraging responsible business practices, and advancing resource-conscious logistics operations across the value chain. Going forward, stronger collaboration between businesses, governments, institutions, and communities will be essential to drive climate action, support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and build a more sustainable future for the next generation.”
Mr. Nitin Varkey
Chief of Staff, Blue Dart
"At IDEMIA Secure Transactions, sustainability is embedded in the way we innovate. From eco-conscious payment cards and greener connectivity solutions to energy-efficient Hardware Security Modules, we continuously strive to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering secure digital experiences. Our commitment extends beyond technology. Through the IDEMIA India Foundation, we transformed 3.8 acres of industrial wasteland in Noida into a thriving biodiversity park with 15,000 trees across more than 70 species. Across our products and community initiatives, we are guided by a simple principle: creating lasting value while ensuring we leave the world better than we found it."
Ms. Manisha Dubey
Head of IDEMIA India Foundation
"The future of economic growth, technological progress, and environmental sustainability are becoming deeply interconnected as industries continue to evolve through AI, digital infrastructure, and large-scale innovation. As World Environment Day 2026 draws attention to the importance of building a more sustainable future, resilient systems, thoughtful resource utilization, and long-term sustainability will continue to play an important role in shaping future-ready enterprises and economies. Creating progress that remains sustainable over time will require organizations to balance innovation with responsibility and contribute toward more resilient ecosystems for generations ahead."
Mr. Amit Bajoria
Chief Financial Officer, Virtusa Corporation
"World Environment Day is a reminder that the choices we make today will shape the world future generations inherit. Increasingly, students are seeking learning experiences that go beyond academics to include sustainability, global citizenship, and real-world impact. In New Zealand, these values are deeply influenced by the indigenous Māori principle of kaitiakitanga or guardianship of the environment and responsibility towards future generations. This perspective is naturally reflected in our education approach, where sustainability, innovation and community wellbeing are embedded into the learning experience. It’s also reflected more broadly in New Zealand’s commitment to sustainability across environmental protection, conservation, and economic and social development."
Ms. Jugnu Roy
Director of Engagement – East Asia & India, Education New Zealand
"As we observe World Environment Day and this year's theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,’ we are reminded that nature offers the most effective solutions to many of our environmental challenges. At Girnar Foundation, our commitment to UN SDG 13 drives initiatives such as Sow to Grow and textile recycling drives that encourage responsible consumption and climate action at the grassroots level. Building a sustainable future requires collective effort. Governments, businesses, institutions, and communities must work together to embed environmental responsibility into everyday decisions. Through collaboration and conscious action, we can create a healthier, more resilient planet for future generations."
Ms. Pihu Jain
Head, Girnar Foundation
"At VAHDAM India, nature has always been both our source and our responsibility. Climate Label Certified and Plastic Neutral since 2020, we measure our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, reduce our carbon footprint, offset what remains through verified climate investments, and have recovered 149,000+ kg of plastic. As a Certified B Corporation since 2023, we are committed to a 30% emissions intensity reduction by 2030. Through TEACH ME®️, we allocate a minimum of 1% of our revenue towards the digital education of our farmers' children — because true sustainability extends beyond the environment to the people within it."
Mr. Bala Sarda
CEO/Founder, VAHDAM® India
“Climate action is most meaningful when it strengthens both environmental sustainability and livelihood security. At HDFC Bank Parivartan, we have seen how community-led interventions in water conservation, afforestation, soil health improvement, climate-resilient agriculture, and renewable energy adoption can help build long-term resilience. Our initiatives have impacted over 10.56 crore lives across 28 States and Union Territories, including the creation and restoration of 16,091 water structures and the installation of over 80,000 solar lights. These experiences have made us believe that with the right knowledge, resources, and local ownership, communities become active participants in protecting and restoring natural ecosystems. As we observe World Environment Day 2026, HDFC Bank Parivartan is supporting sustainable, locally relevant solutions that strengthen both ecological resilience and socio-economic well-being.”
Ms. Nusrat Pathan
Head - CSR, HDFC Bank
“This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.’, is a reminder that sustainability must be embedded into the way we innovate, manufacture, and consume. As industries evolve, there is a growing responsibility to adopt cleaner technologies, improve resource efficiency, and promote circular economy practices. At Indo National Limited, we are committed to advancing sustainability through initiatives such as responsible battery recycling, renewable energy adoption, sustainable packaging, and energy-efficient products. However, meaningful progress requires collective action. Governments, businesses, institutions, and communities must work together to strengthen environmental awareness, build sustainable ecosystems, and accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, creating a healthier and more resilient future for generations to come.”
Mr. Pavan Kumar BVS
CEO, Indo National Limited
“This year's World Environment Day theme, 'Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.', is a timely reminder that sustainability must be integrated into every aspect of how we live and do business. At 750AD Healthcare, we believe that environmental responsibility goes hand in hand with building healthier communities. Through our focus on responsible manufacturing, conscious resource utilisation, and long-term sustainability initiatives, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. Achieving meaningful climate action requires collective effort from governments, businesses, institutions, and communities alike. By working together towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we can create a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for generations to come."
Mr. Mithun Majumdar
CEO, 750AD Healthcare Pvt Ltd
“Climate action is shaped not only by global commitments but by everyday choices from what consumers buy to how waste is managed. Brands play a key role in making sustainable choices easier through circular packaging and stronger recycling systems. At UFlex, we are advancing this shift by processing nearly 586 million post-consumer PET bottles and over 10,237 metric tonnes of multi-layer plastic waste in FY26, while expanding our recycling capacity to nearly 115,000 tonnes annually. Building a sustainable future requires businesses, policymakers, and consumers to make sustainability a part of everyday decisions."
Mr. Anantshree Chaturvedi
Vice Chairman and CEO, Flex Films International
“Building climate resilience requires long-term collaboration and solutions that are rooted in local realities. Through Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we are working with communities and partners across water stewardship, responsible waste management, and climate-smart agriculture to help strengthen resource security and community resilience. From supporting water conservation through Project Jaldhara, to advancing responsible waste recovery under #MaidaanSaaf and enabling climate-resilient farming practices through Project Unnati, our focus remains on creating practical, community-led solutions that can drive meaningful and lasting impact.”
Ms. Saloni Goel
Senior Director ESG Value Creation and Commercialization, Coca-Cola India
“Building a sustainable and climate-resilient future requires collective action and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. At HDB Financial Services, sustainability is reflected in our community initiatives that focus on ecological restoration and long-term environmental impact. Through lake restoration projects across multiple cities, we are helping rejuvenate water bodies, enhance biodiversity, and improve community well-being. We believe meaningful progress is achieved when institutions, communities, and citizens work together to promote environmental awareness, responsible resource management, and the preservation of natural ecosystems for future generations.”
Ms. Krupa Tanna
Lead- CSR, HDB Financial Services
“This year's World Environment Day theme, Climate Action, is a reminder that climate change and sustainability remain important risk vectors that can impact economic stability, business resilience, and long-term growth. In India, the increasing frequency of heatwaves, floods, and other extreme weather events is underscoring the need for organizations to strengthen their understanding of climate-related risks and opportunities. As economies accelerate their transition toward a more sustainable future, building climate risk expertise across industries will be critical to protecting businesses, communities, and livelihoods. The organizations that invest in these capabilities today will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty, strengthen resilience, and drive sustainable growth tomorrow.”
Mr. Michael Sell
Senior Vice President, Global Association of Risk Professionals
“World Environment Day is a reminder that building a greener future requires both cleaner technologies and smarter energy infrastructure. At Battery Smart, we are enabling this transition by making electric mobility more accessible, affordable, and inclusive through innovative battery solutions. As EV adoption continues to accelerate across India, the role of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Our network has powered more than 3.6 billion emission-free kilometres and helped avoid over 260,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions till date, demonstrating the impact that sustainable innovation can create at scale. Every electric kilometre travelled brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Mr. Pulkit Khurana
Co-founder & CEO, Battery Smart
“World Environment Day reminds us that the path to a more sustainable future in aviation is complex and requires sustained effort over time. For Finnair, reducing emissions is at the core of our environmental work, with a clear focus on improving carbon efficiency and supporting the industry’s transition away from fossil fuels. Progress requires a broad set of actions, from using sustainable aviation fuel and improving operational efficiency to reducing waste and applying circular economy principles across our operations. At the same time, we recognise that many of the solutions needed for deeper change, such as new technologies and fuels, are still developing, which makes collaboration across the industry essential. As we continue connecting people and cultures around the world, we are committed to doing so responsibly, taking practical steps today while contributing to the longer-term transformation of aviation.”
Mr. Anupam Vig
General Manager – India, Finnair
“As India witnesses record power demand amid rising temperatures & rapid urbanisation, sustainability is becoming increasingly action-oriented. The focus is no longer just on generating cleaner energy, but also on helping consumers use energy more efficiently. With over 5 crore smart meters installed nationwide, India is building a more connected energy ecosystem. The opportunity lies in turning data into action. Through AI-powered energy intelligence, utilities can help households reduce wastage and optimise consumption. Globally, Bidgely’s solutions have enabled nearly 150 crore units of energy savings, equivalent to offsetting over 10 lakh metric tons of CO₂ emissions, demonstrating sustainability outcomes at scale.”
Mr. Gautam Aggarwal
Global Chief Revenue Officer, Bidgely
“Environmental challenges today span waste management, agriculture, clean technology and livelihoods, creating opportunities to generate economic value alongside environmental impact. India’s vast agricultural residue, biomass and waste streams hold significant potential for circular economy solutions, from sustainable materials and fuels to recycling and resource recovery technologies. However, scaling these innovations requires stronger market access, industry partnerships and implementation support. As India advances towards a projected $2 trillion circular economy and 10 million jobs by 2050, greater collaboration between innovators, industry and institutions will be essential to translate innovation into measurable outcomes and long-term impact.”
Mr. Suranjana Ghosh
Head of Marico Innovation Foundation
“World Environment Day reminds us that sustainability is not a choice but a shared responsibility. At EBG Group, we believe economic growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. Through EBG Foundation’s ‘Sambhav Hai’ initiative, we are working to build climate-conscious and carbon-neutral villages through afforestation, water conservation, waste management, and regenerative agriculture. Beginning with 50 villages and a ₹30 crore commitment in Phase 1, our goal is to create a scalable model that demonstrates how climate action, community development, and economic progress can coexist and deliver measurable impact on the ground.”
Dr. Irfan Khan
Founder, EBG Foundation
“Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges today. The world generates over 400 million tonnes annually, according to UNEP, while India contributes more than 3.5 million tonnes each year, as per the CPCB. These figures underline the urgent need for industries to rethink packaging and shift toward sustainable, recyclable alternatives. At AGI Greenpac, we believe material choice is central to building a sustainable packaging ecosystem. Glass, which is 100% recyclable without quality loss, has long been core to our business. As we expand into aluminium cans, another infinitely recyclable format, we reinforce our commitment to responsible, future-ready packaging aligned with India’s circular economy goals.”
Mr. Rajesh Khosla
CEO, AGI Greenpac
“As AI continues to transform industries, its true potential lies in enabling smarter, more sustainable decisions. From optimizing resource utilization and reducing operational waste to enhancing transparency and accountability, AI can be a powerful catalyst for achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. However, innovation must be guided by responsibility. The future belongs to organizations that leverage AI ethically, transparently, and with a long-term commitment to sustainable growth.”
Mr. Anuj Khurana
Co-founder and CEO, Anaptyss
“Climate action can’t be confined to policy discussions and boardrooms; it is time to translate it into measurable change at the grassroots level. With ‘Sambhav Hai’, EBG Foundation is creating a practical and scalable rural sustainability model that empowers communities to become active participants in India’s environmental future. Our focus is to reduce carbon footprints, strengthen water security, improve waste management practices, encourage regenerative agriculture, and build long-term environmental resilience in villages. We aim to create a replicable framework for climate-conscious and carbon-neutral rural ecosystems under our ‘Minus One Village’ model. As we expand towards our larger vision of reaching hundreds of villages across India, our objective is to demonstrate that sustainability becomes far more impactful when communities themselves lead the transformation. Real environmental progress will come from collective local action supported by long-term commitment.”
Mr. Suresh Goyal
Director, EBG Foundation
"At Krisala, sustainability is a foundational principle guiding our developments, not an afterthought. This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.’ aligns with our commitment to creating future-ready communities where citizens and nature thrive together. Through initiatives such as planting 1,000 trees in sixty seconds on World Environment Day and implementing measurable sustainability frameworks, we ensure tangible environmental impact. We believe achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals requires collaboration across developers, citizens, policymakers, and communities to transform collective intent into scalable climate action."
Mr. Aakash Agarwal
Managing Director, Krisala Developers
"At Ceratec Group, this year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future’ deeply resonates with our philosophy of building with responsibility. Across our residential and commercial developments, we focus on green building, zero waste, rainwater harvesting, solar integration, and biodiversity conservation. We believe the UN Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved through collaboration among governments, businesses, institutions, and communities. Together, we can transform individual efforts into scalable climate action and build resilient, environmentally responsible spaces for future generations."
Mr. Anand Agarwal
Managing Director, Ceratec Group
"This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future’, is a reminder that sustainability must be built into every decision that shapes our future. At NLB Services, we are leveraging technology, data, and AI-driven innovation while advancing responsible business practices that support environmental stewardship and long-term ESG goals. Meaningful climate action requires collaboration across governments, businesses, institutions, and communities. By combining innovation with accountability, we can accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and create a more resilient, sustainable planet for future generations."
Mr. Sachin Alug
CEO, NLB Services
"India is witnessing a structural climate shift that is reshaping cities, energy demand & everyday life. The recent surge in peak power demand, crossing 270 GW during the summer, is an early signal of what lies ahead, especially when household air-conditioner penetration in India is still relatively low.The priority is no longer just responding to heatwaves, floods or resource stress, but anticipating & adapting to them. At IAIRO, we see climate resilience is as much a data & deployment challenge as a technology one. India needs efficient, locally deployable AI systems that support heat-risk mapping, disaster preparedness and real-time decision-making at scale"
Prof. Dev Niyogi
key advisor & founding member, IAIRO, William Stamps Farish Chair Professor and UNESCO Chair at the University of Texas at Austin, Indian AI Research Organisation
"On World Environment Day, I believe sustainability must move beyond compliance and become a core business responsibility. In my experience, environmental solutions work best when they also make operational and economic sense. At Vihaan Clean & Green Tech, we focus on converting waste into value through wastewater recycling, biogas generation and resource recovery. Every unit of energy recovered and every litre of water reused reduces environmental impact while improving efficiency. The technologies exist today. What we need is greater commitment from industry, institutions, and communities to implement them at scale.'"
Mr. Amit Badlani
Managing Director, Vihaan Clean & Green Tech Pvt. Ltd, and Go Green Mechanisms Pvt. Ltd