Impact Leaders Unite at Inaugural NAIL Meet 2025
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) recently hosted the inaugural National Association of Impact Leaders (NAIL) Meet 2025 in Goa, attracting over 100 participants from various sectors. This significant gathering brought together ESG professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss sustainability trends and the future of corporate responsibility. The event was guided by Shri Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, DG & CEO of IICA, who emphasized the importance of collective action in achieving corporate sustainability.
Opening Insights on ESG Leadership
The event kicked off with a Welcome-and-Context-Setting session led by Prof. Garima Dadhich, Associate Professor and Head of the School of Business Environment at IICA. She highlighted the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) leadership in promoting corporate sustainability. Prof. Dadhich stressed the necessity for organizations to align their strategies with evolving global sustainability frameworks. Her remarks set a thoughtful tone for the discussions that followed, emphasizing the critical role of ESG in shaping a responsible corporate landscape.
Following her introduction, Ms. Aruna C. Newton, Vice President at Infosys Limited, shared her insights on how strong governance frameworks can drive the adoption of green technologies. She argued that such frameworks are essential for fostering a culture of sustainability within corporations. This was complemented by a presentation from a Public Relations Associate at UNICEF, who examined the social aspects of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core, underscoring the need for ethical business practices that include diverse stakeholder perspectives.
Dynamic Discussions on Regulatory Changes
A panel discussion moderated by Prof. Garima Dadhich featured distinguished members of NAIL, including Mr. J P Dash, Mr. Ashok Sethi, Mr. Sridhar L, Ms. Shalini Verma, and Mr. Paritosh Chauhan. The panel engaged in a lively debate about the implications of recent regulatory changes, such as SEBI’s new norms and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). They explored the challenges and opportunities these changes present for the corporate sector, particularly in light of the dissolution of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
A senior official from SEBI’s Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities provided insights into the evolving landscape of ESG ratings, highlighting investor expectations and the strategic shifts companies must undertake to remain compliant. Additionally, a representative from SEBI’s corporate finance department outlined the industrial benchmarks established for BRSR Core, detailing their impact on businesses striving to improve their ESG compliance.
Technological Innovations and Future Directions
The event also featured a presentation by a Senior Expert from KPMG India, who discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence in ESG data analytics and reporting. This session transitioned into a discussion led by experts from WRI India and CEEW-CEF, who provided a thorough analysis of greenhouse gas accounting methodologies. They emphasized the importance of carbon markets in facilitating the transition to a net-zero future, highlighting the intersection of technology and sustainability.
As the event drew to a close, Prof. Garima Dadhich expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants for their contributions. The gathering concluded with a networking session, allowing attendees to engage in discussions about sustainable finance, ESG audits, decarbonization strategies, and the integration of business and biodiversity.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Conferences and Initiatives
During the event, IICA announced the upcoming 3rd edition of its flagship ESG annual conference, the National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC), scheduled for July 2-3, 2025. Registrations for this significant event will open in March 2025. The National Association of Impact Leaders (NAIL) aims to be a leading platform for IICA Certified ESG Professionals and Impact Leaders, fostering knowledge-sharing and impactful leadership in corporate sustainability.
For more information about NAIL and the IICA Certified ESG Professional Impact Leader Programme, interested individuals can visit the official IICA website at https://iica.nic.in/esgcsr/.
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