At CSR Times, we believe every day is an opportunity to celebrate and protect our planet. World Environment Day is an opportunity for everyone to take a small step towards environmental protection at an individual ambit and a significant occasion for Corporates, NGOs, and corporate foundations to amplify their CSR initiatives towards environment conservation and raise awareness for the same. This year’s World Environment Day campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”
Let’s renew our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship on this special occasion. Together, let’s work towards a greener, cleaner future for future generations.
WHAT INDUSTRY LEADERS HAVE TO SAY THIS WORLD ENVIRONMENT’S DAY
Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India
“The recent heatwave in India is yet another reminder that we need to take care of nature. Within the automotive domain, the road to a sustainable future is undeniably electric, and at Volvo Car India, we are fully committed to this journey. Our vision encompasses not only the creation of safer cars with a sustainable footprint but also ensuring a safer planet for future generations. Our vision is to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and aim to become an all-electric company by 2030.”
Mr. Niranjan Banodkar, Group Chief Financial Officer & Head of Sustainable Finance, YES BANK
YES BANK’s ESG strategy aligns with UN Principles for Responsible Banking and targets net zero emissions by 2030. The Bank expanded its ISO 14001:2015 EMS to 1,086 facilities, reduced carbon emissions, supported renewable energy and electric vehicles, measured financed emissions, and maintained robust ESG governance to create long-term stakeholder value and enhance ESG integration.
Mr. Jagannath Sahoo, President and COO, SBI Foundation
“On this World Environment Day, we at SBI Foundation reaffirm our commitment to supporting environmental protection. Through the SBI Youth for India Fellowship and the CONSERW vertical, we are dedicated to protecting our planet by restoring soil, preventing desertification, managing waste and conserving wildlife. We work to drive positive impact in over 20+ states in India and to create a better future.”
Mr. Saarang Ganapathi, COO, Embassy Services Pvt. Ltd.
Desertification, driven by climate change, is a pressing issue. Our mission involves implementing sustainable landscaping across our properties, including soil conservation, Miyawaki forests, and butterfly parks, to improve water retention, enhance biodiversity, and boost climate resilience. To tackle drought, we focus on efficient water management, low-flow fixtures, and STP processes. This World Environment Day let’s commit to combating desertification and fostering a resilient, healthy environment.
Mr. Amit Bajoria, Chief Finance Officer, Virtusa 
“Desertification, driven by climate change, is a pressing issue. Our mission involves implementing sustainable landscaping across our properties, including soil conservation, Miyawaki forests, and butterfly parks, to improve water retention, enhance biodiversity, and boost climate resilience. To tackle drought, we focus on efficient water management, low-flow fixtures, and STP processes. This World Environment Day, let’s commit to combating desertification and fostering a resilient, healthy environment.”
Mr. George M George, Deputy MD, Muthoot Finance
“Environmental stewardship goes beyond symbolic gestures like tree-hugging; it involves a commitment to sustainable actions. The escalating environmental challenges are a stark reminder that a sustainable future requires collective action. Businesses, especially those with a large footprint, have a responsibility to integrate eco-conscious practices. Through Muthoot Finance’s CSR efforts, we aim to identify grassroots projects that promote sustainable environmental practices, for example, the initiative undertaken at the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, where we collaborated with the forest department to address issues like water scarcity despite forest protection measures.”
Mr. Sanjay Dutt, MD & CEO, TATA Realty & Infrastructure Ltd.
“Tata Realty & Infrastructure Limited recognizes the significance of World Environment Day and its role in promoting environmental conservation and land restoration. Through sustainable practices across the property lifecycle, from design to end-of-life, the industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint. The shift towards eco-efficiency initiatives, such as sustainable building materials and energy-efficient systems, demonstrates the commitment to preserving biodiversity. It is essential that as developers, we continue to innovate and collaborate, ensuring that our built environment not only supports but also enhances the natural world, for the benefit of future generations.”
Mr. K.T. Jithendran, MD & CEO Birla Estates
“Birla Estates prioritizes sustainable building practices in every aspect of our developments, year-round. We promote extensive implementation of eco-friendly building strategies, from a project’s inception to its completion. From double-glazed façades to efficient water management systems, we focus on incorporating native flora in landscape designs and integrating water-efficient irrigation techniques.”
Mr. Raju Kapoor, Director of Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India
“The world faces unprecedented climate changes and environmental distortions, making sustainability essential. At FMC, we are dedicated to positively impacting communities and businesses globally by achieving our sustainability goals. FMC aims to deliver products that help maintain a safe food supply with minimal planetary impact. We focus on smart farming techniques, responsible pesticide use, and good agricultural practices to enhance crop yield and support biodiversity. FMC has been taking responsible steps to address climate change and its impacts to ensure the long-term health of our planet and the vitality of our company and industry. Additionally, our innovative pipeline offers sustainable solutions, ensuring agroeconomic growth in India and increasing farmers’ productivity and prosperity.”
Mr. Rishi Pathania, Vice President, CSR UPL Ltd.
“To protect our land, prioritizing initiatives like mangrove plantation drives and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices is essential. Embracing water conservation technologies is also critical in halting desertification and building strong drought resilience in the long term. These combined efforts can ensure sustainable agriculture and a resilient environment for future generations.”
Ms. Saranya Pradhan, Head of sustainability and corporate communications, McCain Foods India
“On this World Environment Day, McCain Foods is proud to champion regenerative farming practices that aim to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon for a sustainable future. We’re implementing regenerative agriculture across 100% of our potato acres by 2030, investing in Farms of the Future to showcase regenerative agriculture practices by 2025, and advancing research partnerships for a sustainable future. We’ve achieved a 30% reduction in sodium in McCain branded appetizer products since 2018, and are committed to planet-friendly food production, with 91.7% of our packaging designed to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable.”
Mr. Harish Bharadwaj, Vice President, India Service Delivery Concentrix 
“Land degradation is not merely an environmental challenge; it is an existential threat to our livelihoods and the well-being of future generations. At Concentrix, we are cognizant of this fact and are working on Pan India campaigns for afforestation and waste management to reclaim land and preserve its vitality for the well-being of all life forms.”
Capt Ishver Dholakiya, MD & Founder- Goldi Solar
“In the face of escalating environmental challenges, the adoption of solar energy stands as a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. Solar power represents not just the ever-evolving technological innovation but symbolizes a global shift to clean & renewable energy. As an advocate of nation building, it is essential that we continue to emphasize the critical importance of solar energy on World Environment Day to combat climate change and achieve Bharat’s decarbonization goals. Our country is blessed with abundant sunshine, so it is only natural that we harness that resource which offers a clean & renewable substitute to fossil fuels. We should unite in our commitment to a greener, more prosperous India by harnessing the power of the sun.”
Mr. Piyush Somani, Chairman, CMD & CEO- ESDS Software Solutions Ltd.
“World Environment Day calls for industries to embrace sustainable development, with the technology sector leading the charge. At ESDS, we are committed to sustainability through a robust ESG framework and patented energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, our mission includes planting and nurturing over a billion trees, twelve years ago, we began transforming Ramshej from barren land into a flourishing paradise, now home to thousands of trees and diverse biodiversity.”
Mr. Rajesh Krishnan, CEO
United Way of Bengaluru
“It is crucial to recognize that conservation is not to ensure just a sustainable future —it’s imperative for our survival today. We must act now to ensure there is enough for everyone, both now and in the future. This can only happen when collectively the sectors come together and each of us acts responsibly. Conservation should be a vision shared by all. Every contribution in this direction should be viewed as a social investment, emphasizing its value beyond mere action or expenditure”
“It is crucial to recognize that conservation is not to ensure just a sustainable future —it’s imperative for our survival today. We must act now to ensure there is enough for everyone, both now and in the future. This can only happen when collectively the sectors come together and each of us acts responsibly. Conservation should be a vision shared by all. Every contribution in this direction should be viewed as a social investment, emphasizing its value beyond mere action or expenditure”
Ms. Yamini Jaipuria, Managing Trustee, Cosmo Foundation
“Today, the heatwave poses an existential threat across our country. Therefore, it is important to ensure we have ample green spaces for a greener future. At Cosmo Foundation we planted 1 Lakh + trees, ensured rainwater harvesting, and water conservation projects, to create a lasting impact for the world.”
Mr Jagdeep Hira, India Business Head, Pakka
“Every year, World Environment Day reminds us to recognize the collective efforts that are needed from us for a better tomorrow. It inspires us to take small, but important, steps towards a healthier environment. Although a lot of work is needed in all directions, land restoration, drought resilience, and combating desertification remain critical areas that require urgent attention. The larger initiatives such as these can benefit from participation from all of us. And yet, small changes in our daily lives, like choosing sustainable products, also contribute to a cleaner and healthier future for all.”
Mr. Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO, Moglix
“At Moglix, we believe that protecting our planet is not just a responsibility but also an opportunity to create a more sustainable future for all. Moglix’s focus on sustainable procurement, encouraging suppliers to conserve resources, and integrating ESG criteria into our processes endeavors to create a supply chain ecosystem that benefits both people and the planet.”
Mr. Prashant Parameswaran, MD and CEO, Tata Soulfull
“Tata Soulfull is dedicated to promoting the benefits of millet. We believe in the power of these remarkable grains to help drive sustainable change. Millets are not only nutritious but also exceptionally water-efficient. Compared to other staple grains like rice and wheat, which can require up to 4,000 litres of water per kilogram, millets thrive on as little as 300-500 litres. At Tata Soulfull, we are making a continuous effort to protect our water resources, enhance soil health, and promote biodiversity.”
Mr. Sameer Kanodia, MD and CEO, Lumina Datamatics
“On this World Environment Day, let’s recognize our responsibility towards our planet. As we experience extreme climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, it is evident that it is not just about creating awareness anymore; it’s about taking decisive actions. Many organizations, through their CSR activities, are making strides to tackle environmental issues. Yet each of us holds the power to effect change through our conscious, daily actions. Embracing renewable energy, reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting sustainable practices are essential steps. Simple choices, like using public transport, minimizing plastic use, and planting trees, can collectively lead to a significant impact. Through these individual contributions, we can build a more sustainable and resilient world. Committing to these actions can ensure a healthier, more resilient planet for us and future generations.”
Mr. Ferdin Sylvester, Director and Co-founder, OneEarth Foundation
“Restoring our lands is not just about planting trees, it’s about restoring our connection to nature and to each other. Real change doesn’t happen in isolation, and every root we nurture is a testament to the power of community, a symbol that together, we can make a real difference. We are not planting just trees; we are planting change.”
Mr. Nikunj Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy For Animals India
Producing 1 kg of vegetables uses only 322 litres of water, while 1 kg of milk needs 1000 litres, poultry 4000 litres, and beef 15,000 litres. Choosing a vegan diet is the most effective way to conserve water and protect the planet.”
Mr. Arjun Ranga, Managing Director, Cycle Pure Agarbathi
“I pray that every day is treated as World Environment Day. At Cycle, we are doing everything possible to commit to the well-being of all beings. All our products are carbon neutral, plastic neutral, and made with ethically sourced ingredients from sustainably managed forests. Our packaging is made from high-grade recyclable materials, and we also plant sacred trees in temples. Everyone who prays with Cycle products is helping to make our world a better place, for the benefit of future generations. One prayer at a time. Or two Cycle Agarbathies at a time.”