Sustainability is rapidly evolving from a mere regulatory compliance exercise into a fundamental driver of business growth and resilience, according to prominent industry leaders. Speaking at a session titled 'Sustainability as a Business Purpose' during the BT India's Most Sustainable Companies Summit and Awards, executives highlighted how environmental and social stewardship is being integrated into core business models, supply chains, and public policy.
Mahindra Group's Planet-Positive Vision
Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mahindra Group, detailed how the conglomerate has redefined its long-term vision around becoming a "planet positive" company. This multi-pronged strategy embeds sustainability into all business operations and future growth plans. Todi explained that this involves assessing environmental impact across energy, water, waste, and material consumption, while also integrating climate action into business strategy.
Mahindra's automotive division is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, its real estate arm is developing green buildings, and its hospitality business is investing in environmentally sustainable resorts. The group has also built a substantial renewable energy portfolio. Todi noted that the segment of their business focused on green products and clean services is experiencing significantly faster growth. Climate adaptation, particularly in the face of India's rising temperatures and water stress, is also a critical priority, leading to the incorporation of sustainable construction practices like recycled water usage and low-carbon materials.
PepsiCo India's Focus on Supply Chain Resilience
Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head for PepsiCo India and South Asia, underscored that for consumer goods companies, sustainability is intrinsically linked to supply chain resilience. Describing PepsiCo as an "agri company" due to its heavy reliance on agricultural raw materials such as potatoes, millets, and rice, Singh asserted that sustainability is more about competitiveness than compliance for the firm.
PepsiCo collaborates with approximately 36,000 farmers across India, providing seeds, technical support, and market access while promoting regenerative agricultural practices. These initiatives aim to mitigate climate-related risks by improving soil health, enhancing water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation, and adopting practices like mulching and composting. Singh highlighted that all farmers associated with the company in Gujarat and Maharashtra have adopted micro-irrigation systems, and PepsiCo has delivered regenerative agriculture across 16,000 acres, emphasizing the inseparable link between sustainability and long-term supply chain resilience.
Maharashtra Tourism's Community-Centric Approach
From a public sector viewpoint, Tanuja Pandey, Adviser for Maharashtra Tourism, argued that sustainability must transcend symbolic gestures like green branding. She stressed that it involves balancing economic gains with conservation, community well-being, and preservation. Maharashtra is developing sustainable tourism frameworks that prioritize local communities and environmental conservation, focusing on responsible tourism across its diverse natural and cultural assets.
The state is addressing challenges such as overcrowding and visitor management by promoting mindful tourism and encouraging development in smaller districts through homestays, eco-tourism, and agro-tourism initiatives. This approach creates economic opportunities for local communities while reducing pressure on established tourist destinations, positioning Maharashtra as a leader in sustainable and responsible tourism.
AI's Role in Sustainable Business Models
Neha Aggarwal Jain, a partner at Deloitte India, added that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to enhance predictability and sustainability by fostering greater ecosystem integration. She emphasized that the goal is to develop fundamental business models that are not only sustainable but also achieve cost optimization, ensure longevity, and bring more stakeholders together.
The overarching sentiment from the summit was clear: organizations increasingly view sustainability not merely as an environmental obligation but as a strategic pathway to long-term growth, resilience, and value creation in a rapidly changing global landscape.