🌍 Real ESG Brands: Where Purpose Becomes Practice

✨ Beyond the Buzzwords

In a world flooded with marketing claims of sustainability, some brands stand out as rare beacons: companies that aren’t just talking the talk, but walking the walk. These are the ones who turn promised values into concrete action — lowering emissions, improving working conditions, prioritizing transparency and governance.

A few brands didn’t just promise — they proved.
They made ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) not a checkbox, but a culture.
This is their story.

Let’s explore a few inspiring examples of brands / companies that seem to deliver — and what we can learn from them.

🏔️ 1. Patagonia — the Company that gave its Heart to the Earth

It started with a jacket.
Not a flashy one. Not limited edition.
Just a rugged, weathered jacket that had seen mountains, storms, and stories.

The kind of jacket you repair instead of replace.
The kind of jacket that lasts — because it was made by a brand that believes the planet shouldn’t pay for our fashion.

That brand was Patagonia.

And behind it stood a man who never wanted to be a businessman — Yvon Chouinard, a climber, surfer, and reluctant entrepreneur who built a billion-dollar empire almost by accident.
While others were chasing profits, he was chasing purpose.
He didn’t want to sell more. He wanted to sell better.

Patagonia’s ESG story began decades earlier:

• Pioneered the use of recycled polyester and organic cotton.
• Encouraged customers to repair, not replace through its Worn Wear program.
• Transparent about supply chains and labor conditions.

Then came the moment that redefined corporate history.

In 2022, Chouinard stunned the world by giving away his entire company — not to family, not to investors, but to the Earth itself. 🌎

“Instead of extracting value from nature and turning it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth.”
— Yvon Chouinard

He transferred ownership of Patagonia to two entities:

• Patagonia Purpose Trust — to protect the company’s mission and values.
• Holdfast Collective — a nonprofit that uses 100% of profits (roughly $100 million each year) to fight the climate crisis.

No IPO. No billionaire legacy. Just a company reborn as a planet protector.

“Earth is our only shareholder.” — Yvon Chouinard

Patagonia didn’t just redefine ESG; it humanized capitalism.

🧭 How Patagonia Built ESG Into Its DNA

Patagonia didn’t adopt ESG because it was trendy.
It practiced sustainability decades before it became a buzzword.

Here’s how it turned values into action 👇

1. 🌿 Environmental: Repair, Reuse, Regenerate

Patagonia’s environmental philosophy is simple: buy less, waste less, repair more.

• The “Worn Wear” program repairs over 100,000 items annually, encouraging customers to fix rather than replace.
• Their materials — from recycled polyester to organic cotton — are chosen to minimize environmental damage.
• They’ve donated 1% of sales since 1985 to environmental causes through the 1% for the Planet initiative.
• The company was an early adopter of carbon-neutral operations, investing heavily in renewable energy and sustainable logistics.

Patagonia didn’t just talk about saving the planet — it built its business model around it.

2. 👩‍🌾 Social: Fair Wages, Real Voices

Patagonia’s social impact extends beyond its products.
The company audits every layer of its supply chain — ensuring fair trade certification, safe working conditions, and living wages for factory workers.

It doesn’t hide imperfections.
If there’s an issue, they publish it, fix it, and learn from it.
That’s transparency in action, not PR.

They also empower local communities through environmental activism — supporting thousands of grassroots organizations globally.

3. 🧾 Governance: Earth as Shareholder

Patagonia’s most radical innovation isn’t its fabric — it’s its governance.
By giving away ownership to a trust and a nonprofit, Chouinard built a corporate structure where:

• No single person profits from excess.
• No investor pressures the company for unsustainable growth.
• Every decision must align with the mission: to save our home planet.

This structure is what ESG governance should look like — values embedded at the top, not tacked on at the end.

💬 The Patagonia Paradox: Growth by Saying “Don’t Buy This Jacket”

In 2011, Patagonia ran a bold ad on Black Friday that read:

“Don’t buy this jacket.”

The message? Consume consciously. Buy only what you need.

Ironically, sales soared — not because people ignored the message, but because they trusted it.
It was proof that authenticity builds brand equity faster than advertising ever could.

Patagonia didn’t lose customers by being honest.
It earned believers. 💚

✨ The Legacy: ESG as a Conscience, Not a Checklist

In a world overflowing with greenwashing — where brands print sustainability on labels but not in ledgers — Patagonia stands as a living contrast.

It proves that:

• ESG can be a business model, not a marketing plan.
• Purpose can fuel profit without guilt.
• Transparency can be stronger than advertising.

Yvon Chouinard’s act of giving away his company wasn’t a goodbye — it was a gift to the future.
He showed the world that true wealth is measured in impact, not income.

🌎 Final Thought: The Earth Is Watching

Patagonia isn’t just selling clothes — it’s selling consciousness.
It asks every company one question that echoes louder each year:

“What if business existed to serve life, not the other way around?”

Because one day, the glossy ESG reports will fade —
but the planet will remember who really showed up. 🌿

Patagonia website.

🌱 2. Ben & Jerry’s — The Ice Cream with a Conscience

While most food giants chase profit, Ben & Jerry’s churns something richer — purpose.
Their ESG principles are baked into every scoop:

• Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and climate action.
• Sourcing Fairtrade-certified ingredients.
• Setting internal carbon pricing to measure emissions impact.

In 2020, when other companies stayed silent on social justice, Ben & Jerry’s publicly called for ending white supremacy — showing S in ESG means standing up, not staying safe.

⚡ 3. Tesla — The Disruptor Driving Climate Innovation

Despite its controversies, Tesla undeniably transformed the E (Environmental) pillar of ESG.
It forced the auto industry to accelerate toward electrification:

• In 2021 alone, Tesla vehicles helped avoid over 8 million metric tons of CO₂.
• Its Gigafactories focus on renewable energy and battery recycling.
• Open-sourced EV patents to encourage global innovation.

Tesla proves that ESG impact can come from disruption, not perfection.

🌾 4. Unilever — The Corporate Giant Turning Green Inside Out

Under former CEO Paul Polman, Unilever became a benchmark for ESG governance.
It launched the Sustainable Living Plan — integrating purpose into every brand, not as CSR, but as business DNA.

• Dove’s Real Beauty campaign promoted body positivity.
• Lifebuoy’s hygiene programs reached 1 billion+ people globally.
• 100% of Unilever’s electricity now comes from renewable sources.

Even investors started rewarding integrity — proof that doing good can be good business.

🧃 5. Natura & Co — The Brazilian Beauty Pioneer

Parent company of The Body Shop, Aesop, and Avon, Natura is the first publicly traded B Corp in the world.

• Sources from Amazonian communities with fair wages and biodiversity protection.
• Carbon neutral across its operations since 2007.
• Empowers local women entrepreneurs in over 100 countries.

Natura’s mission blends social equity and environmental stewardship — showing ESG can scale without selling out.

🔍 6. Interface — Flooring That Heals the Planet

You wouldn’t expect a carpet manufacturer to lead in sustainability — but Interface did.
Founder Ray Anderson had an epiphany in the 1990s after reading The Ecology of Commerce.

Since then, Interface has:

• Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 96%.
• Achieved carbon-negative flooring products.
• Inspired an entire industry to rethink manufacturing.

They call their mission “Climate Take Back” — to restore, not just sustain.

💡 The Pattern: ESG Isn’t a PR Campaign — It’s a Promise

These brands share three common traits:

1. Transparency — They show impact, not ads.
2. Accountability — They align profits with purpose.
3. Consistency — They sustain their ESG actions even when the spotlight fades.

True ESG isn’t about appearing “green.”
It’s about being grounded — in ethics, empathy, and evidence.

💬 Final Thought: From Labels to Legacy

Consumers today have power — the power to reward truth and punish pretense.
When you choose a brand, you choose the kind of future you want to fund.

So next time you shop, don’t just ask:

“Is it sustainable?”
Ask:
“Can I trust them?”

Because trust is the rarest — and most valuable — ESG currency of all. 🌎

Call to Action

The world doesn’t need perfect companies —
it needs honest ones.
Be the leader, the investor, the consumer who demands more than promises.
Because every choice we make — what we buy, where we work, what we fund —
shapes the planet we leave behind. 🌍

👉 It’s time to move from greenwashing to genuine change.
Choose authenticity. Choose accountability. Choose impact.

Read more blogs on sustainability here.

🛍️ The Story Begins at the Store

It’s a bright Saturday morning.
Riya walks into a mall, reusable tote in hand — proud of her small steps toward sustainable living.

She heads to a counter labeled “Natural. Safe. Conscious.”
The bottles gleam in soft green, stamped with words like eco-friendly, non-toxic, earth-safe.
The brand ambassador smiles from the poster — a familiar influencer she trusts.

Riya feels good — not just about buying skincare, but about doing the right thing for the planet.

Weeks later, as she scrolls social media, her heart sinks.
Headlines flash:

“Popular ‘natural’ brands accused of greenwashing — misleading eco claims.”

The same products she bought to help the Earth might have been just another marketing act.

Her purchase, once a symbol of conscience, suddenly feels like complicity.

🌿 The Mirage of Green

This is not Riya’s story alone. It’s ours — the story of millions who want to make ethical choices, only to discover that the green glow was an illusion.

Welcome to the world of greenwashing — where corporations talk green but act grey.

💧 What Is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when companies deceptively market themselves as sustainable — using eco-language, green packaging, and selective facts to appear ethical.

It’s like putting a recycled sticker on a toxic product.
Or planting one tree to hide a forest of emissions.

The harm isn’t just environmental — it’s moral. It erodes trust in every brand that’s truly trying to do good.

And it’s at the heart of today’s ESG implementation crisis.

🧴 Case 1: Mamaearth — When “Natural” Meets Marketing

India’s beloved personal care brand, Mamaearth, built its empire on the promise of “toxin-free, natural, and sustainable” products.
Its message resonated with young parents and conscious millennials.

But in 2023 and 2024, the brand faced waves of consumer backlash and expert criticism.
Investigations by content creators and consumer rights forums revealed that:

• Some products contained chemicals not fully disclosed on labels.
• The term “natural” had no consistent regulatory definition, creating space for ambiguity.
• Their green packaging and tree-planting campaigns were seen by some as marketing-driven rather than measurable ESG efforts.

To be clear — Mamaearth hasn’t been found guilty of legal wrongdoing. But the trust question lingered.
Was the “clean beauty” movement being used as a shield for aggressive marketing?

Lesson: In ESG, perception without proof is a time bomb. Consumers now demand evidence, not adjectives.

🧵 Case 2: H&M — The “Conscious” Illusion

When H&M launched its “Conscious Collection,” it promised fashion that cared.
The fabrics looked soft, the messaging felt sincere — recycled polyester, organic cotton, made for a better planet.

Then came 2023.
A lawsuit alleged greenwashing — that H&M exaggerated sustainability claims.
Investigators found that some garments marked as “eco-friendly” had higher environmental impact than regular items.

The result? H&M’s sustainability story unraveled.

Lesson: You can’t stitch trust with recycled slogans.
Sustainability isn’t a collection; it’s a culture.

👕 Case 3: Shein — The Price of Speed

Shein became the global poster child for ultra-fast fashion — cheap, trendy, and addictive.
But behind the viral videos were disturbing realities.

In 2024, Shein disclosed two child labour cases in supplier factories.
Reports described 18-hour shifts, unsafe working conditions, and severe underpayment.

The company’s ESG claims about “ethical sourcing” couldn’t survive the exposure.

Lesson: No supply chain built on exploitation can ever be sustainable.
The “S” in ESG — Social — is the soul of the movement.

🚗 Case 4: Toyota — When Governance Slipped

Toyota, revered for quality and ethics, faced its own ESG reckoning in 2024.
Japanese regulators discovered testing irregularities and flawed certification data in certain models.

The issue wasn’t about cars — it was about integrity.
Investor confidence fell. The chairman faced reduced shareholder support.
Governance, the very pillar of ESG, had cracked.

Lesson: The “G” in ESG is not about structure — it’s about spirit.

⚖️ Anatomy of an ESG Implementation Crisis

🔍 The Forensic Angle — Unmasking Greenwashing

Today’s auditors and ESG analysts are the new detectives.
They compare what companies say with what they do — line by line, claim by claim.

Early red flags include:

• Mismatch between sustainability reports and third-party certifications.
• Inflated claims like “100% natural” or “fully eco-friendly” with no data trail.
• Recycled PR templates reused across brands with identical slogans.

Just as forensic accounting caught financial frauds like Wirecard and IL&FS, forensic ESG can catch greenwashing before it becomes a global embarrassment.

🌏 The Way Forward — From Pledges to Proof

If ESG is to mean something, not just sound good, companies must:

1. Verify every sustainability claim through independent audits.
2. Define “natural” and “sustainable” with measurable standards.
3. Disclose fully — including negative metrics and improvement areas.
4. Integrate ESG at the board level, not just the marketing desk.
5. Be transparent with consumers — honesty now earns more loyalty than perfection.

💔 Epilogue — Riya’s Second Purchase

Months later, Riya shops again — this time not for words, but for truth.
She flips the label, checks the brand’s sourcing policy, and searches for real audits instead of glossy campaigns.
Her purchase costs more, but her conscience costs nothing.

Because sustainability isn’t about looking green —
it’s about being honest when no one’s watching.

Let’s demand less eco-language and more ethical action.
Because when ESG fails, it’s not just business that suffers — it’s the planet that pays. 🌿

Read more blogs on sustainability here.

🔗 Reference links

• H&M greenwashing class action: Reuters article on sustainable claim guidance after lawsuit dismissal Reuters
• H&M lawsuit & exposé: Forbes article on how greenwashing breaks brand promise Forbes
• Mamaearth ad violations and regulatory flags: Livemint article on ad violations of parent company mint
• Mamaearth criticism on “natural / toxin free” claims: Ecoideaz analysis on greenwashing in India ecoideaz.com
• Shein child labour cases: Reuters article about supplier audits & admission of child labour Reuters
• Toyota certification irregularities: Reuters article about inspection of Toyota HQ over certification irregularities Reuters

💫 The Story Behind the Shift

A few years ago, in a small town outside Pune, a textile factory faced protests from villagers. The river flowing past their plant — once clear and full of fish — had turned black. For the company, it was just “industrial runoff.” For the locals, it was their drinking water, their crops, their life.

When the media picked up the story, investors pulled out, regulators stepped in, and within months, the factory that once boasted record profits was forced to shut down.

Ironically, the company had spotless financial statements — but zero social accountability.

That moment marked a turning point not just for one firm, but for an entire generation of businesses learning a hard truth:

“Profit without purpose can collapse faster than you think.”

Across industries, a silent transformation began. Companies started asking — How do we grow without harming? How do we profit without polluting?

This evolution gave rise to the modern corporate compass: ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance.

Today, ESG isn’t about ticking boxes or writing reports. It’s about earning trust, safeguarding the planet, and ensuring your business deserves to exist in tomorrow’s world.

In today’s business world, success isn’t just about balance sheets — it’s about balance.
Balance between profit and purpose, growth and responsibility, ambition and accountability. That’s where ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — steps in as the new corporate compass.

1️⃣ ESG Strategy: The Foundation of Responsible Growth

A well-structured ESG strategy ensures that sustainability is embedded in a company’s core business model — not treated as a side campaign.

🏢 Example 1: Infosys (India)

Infosys has a clear ESG roadmap called “ESG Vision 2030.”

• Environmental: The company became carbon neutral in 2020, years ahead of schedule.
• Social: They’ve invested heavily in digital skilling of over 2 million people through the Infosys Springboard program.
• Governance: ESG goals are directly linked to leadership performance indicators.

This alignment has earned Infosys top scores in global ESG ratings, making it a preferred choice for institutional investors.

🌱 Example 2: Unilever (Global)

Unilever’s “Sustainable Living Plan” integrates sustainability into brand strategy — proving that responsible business can also be profitable.

• 75% of its growth comes from sustainable brands like Dove and Lifebuoy.
• Focus on waste reduction, gender balance, and ethical sourcing across its global value chain.

Takeaway: An ESG strategy is not a marketing exercise — it’s a blueprint for long-term resilience and relevance.

2️⃣ ESG Governance: The Backbone of Accountability

Governance determines how ESG goals translate into real actions. It’s about who owns ESG inside the company — from the boardroom to the shop floor.

🧩 Example 3: Tata Group (India)

Tata Group companies (like Tata Steel, Tata Motors, TCS) have formalized ESG oversight through board-level committees.

• Tata Steel was among the first in India to release a Climate Policy aligned with TCFD.
• Tata Power committed to carbon neutrality by 2045 and publishes a transparent ESG dashboard.
• Their boards include independent directors focused on sustainability and ethics, ensuring accountability at the top.

💼 Example 4: Microsoft (Global)

Microsoft’s governance model ties executive pay to sustainability performance — including carbon reduction and diversity targets.

• ESG is discussed in quarterly board meetings.
• The company achieved 100% renewable energy for data centers and operations by 2025 goal commitment.

Takeaway: Governance transforms ESG from aspiration to action — and ensures leadership accountability for sustainable outcomes.

3️⃣ ESG Compliance: Navigating Regulations with Integrity

As global and Indian regulators tighten ESG norms, transparent reporting and compliance have become business essentials.

⚖️ Example 5: HDFC Bank (India)

HDFC Bank is fully aligned with SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) mandate.

• Their ESG report discloses energy use, emissions, and employee diversity.
• It uses GRI and SASB standards for global comparability.
• Regular third-party assurance enhances data credibility for investors.

🌐 Example 6: Tesla (Global)

Tesla publishes an annual Impact Report aligned with IFRS S2 and TCFD frameworks, detailing emissions avoided through EV adoption and renewable integration.

• It also discloses ethical supply chain practices — including cobalt sourcing audits.
• This transparency reinforces investor trust and regulatory compliance.

Takeaway: ESG compliance builds credibility and investor confidence. Inconsistent or “greenwashed” data can damage reputation faster than any financial misstep.

🌱 The Way Forward

Companies that lead with ESG don’t just protect their reputation — they future-proof their business.

As Dr. Raghuram Rajan once said,

“Sustainability isn’t a constraint on growth; it’s the path to resilient growth.”

💡 Quick Snapshot: ESG Leadership Examples

💬 Final Thought

If your ESG strategy still feels like a compliance burden, it’s time to rethink it.
The most successful companies — from Tata to Tesla — are those that treat ESG as a strategic advantage, not a reporting requirement.

In the future, investors won’t ask if your company has an ESG plan.
They’ll ask if your company is built on one.

Read more blogs on Sustainability here. External references link.

🌍 Two Investors, One Choice — Profits or Principles?

While my earlier blog covered red flags in financial statements, the post explains how to spot ESG red flags before making any investment decision.

Ravi vs Meera – 2 Investors – 2 Stories

Ravi sat in front of his laptop, eyes gleaming at the financial dashboard.
The company he tracked had just reported record profits. Margins were soaring, debt was low, and every market analyst had stamped it a “Buy.”
He smiled — “Numbers never lie.”

Across the same café, Meera sipped her coffee and opened the company’s ESG disclosure report.
Her brow tightened. Green promises filled the first few pages, but deeper inside she found troubling details — carbon emissions rising, no climate risk policy, and governance lapses hidden in fine print.
Her quiet thought echoed louder — “Numbers don’t show everything.”

A few months later, the news broke:
“Factory fined for pollution, shares tumble 60%.”

Ravi’s portfolio went red overnight.
Meera’s didn’t — she had chosen differently.

That’s when investors began to realize:

The real measure of value is not just profit — it’s purpose, protection, and preparedness.

🧩 The New Financial Reality — Beyond Profit & Loss

For decades, IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) helped investors make decisions based purely on financial health — revenue, profit, and balance sheets.
But as the climate, social, and governance crises grew, those numbers became only half the story.

Now, with IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, the world has entered a new era of sustainability-linked financial reporting — where ESG risks are no longer “optional” footnotes but material to enterprise value.

📘 What Are IFRS, IFRS S1 & IFRS S2?

IFRS — The Financial Foundation

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) set global rules for preparing transparent, comparable financial statements. They ensure investors can trust the financial health of a company across borders.

But while IFRS shows the past and present, it didn’t reveal the future risks — like climate disasters, social backlash, or governance scandals.

That’s where the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) stepped in — under the IFRS Foundation — to create two new sustainability standards:

🌱 IFRS S1 — The Sustainability Disclosure Framework

IFRS S1 focuses on all sustainability-related financial disclosures.
It requires companies to explain how sustainability risks and opportunities affect enterprise value — not just in vague terms, but in measurable, auditable data.

Key Pillars of IFRS S1:

1. Governance: Who oversees sustainability and risk decisions at the top?
2. Strategy: How do sustainability factors shape the company’s business model and goals?
3. Risk Management: How are ESG and climate risks identified, assessed, and managed?
4. Metrics & Targets: What KPIs, goals, and progress data are disclosed — and are they consistent with financial results?

☁️ IFRS S2 — The Climate Disclosure Framework

IFRS S2 focuses specifically on climate-related risks and opportunities, aligning closely with the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) structure.

It demands companies reveal:

• Exposure to physical risks (like floods, heatwaves).
• Exposure to transition risks (like carbon taxes, green regulation).
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) with year-on-year comparison.
• Scenario analysis — how would your business perform in a 1.5°C vs 4°C world?
• Targets and progress tracking toward net-zero or climate commitments.

How Investors Should Evaluate ESG Scores Using IFRS S1 & S2

Here’s a practical investor checklist, aligned with these standards:

A. Governance & Oversight (IFRS S1 Core Area 1)

• ✅ Does the board oversee sustainability and climate issues formally (committee, reports)?
• 🚩 Red flag: “CSR cell” without board involvement or independent oversight.
• 💡 Invest in: Firms where sustainability metrics affect executive KPIs and remuneration.

B. Strategy Alignment (IFRS S1 Core Area 2)

• ✅ Are sustainability and climate issues part of long-term strategic planning?
• ✅ Are capital allocation decisions reflecting these priorities (e.g., low-carbon transition, water stewardship)?
• 🚩 Avoid: Companies with glossy ESG reports but no CapEx evidence or KPIs linked to ESG strategy.

C. Risk Management (IFRS S1 Core Area 3 & IFRS S2 Link)

• ✅ Does the company integrate climate & ESG risks in enterprise risk management (ERM)?
• ✅ Are climate scenarios (e.g., +1.5°C vs +4°C) analysed with financial implications disclosed?
• 🚩 Avoid: Companies declaring “net zero by 2050” but providing no risk mapping or transition plan.

D. Metrics & Targets (IFRS S1 & S2 Core Area 4)

• ✅ Check Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions, intensity trends, and science-based targets.
• ✅ Verify data assurance (is it externally audited or only self-declared?).
• ✅ Look for IFRS S2-aligned metrics — GHG intensity, climate scenario outcomes, transition finance, adaptation CapEx.
• 🚩 Avoid: Inconsistent data or metrics that skip Scope 3; this suggests weak supply-chain transparency.

E. Connectivity with Financials

• ✅ Under IFRS S1, companies must show how sustainability factors affect enterprise value — this bridges ESG with financial statements.
• ✅ Assess if sustainability data ties into management commentary, impairments, or cost forecasts.
• 🚩 Avoid: ESG scores that are narrative-heavy but detached from the financial model or audit trail.

F. Assurance & Credibility

• ✅ Prefer disclosures that mention third-party assurance or alignment with IFRS S1/S2 digital taxonomy (XBRL tagging).
• ✅ Check if ESG scores come from audited or verified data rather than voluntary self-assessment.
• 🚩 Avoid: “ESG ratings” with unclear data lineage or unverified self-claims.

Where to Invest

⚠️ Where Not to Invest

📊 Investor ESG Checklist — IFRS S1 & S2 Red Flag Guide

Here’s what every investor should check before buying a “green” stock or fund:

How to Practically Use ESG Scores

1. Check ESG scores from rating agencies (MSCI, Sustainalytics, Refinitiv) — but cross-verify with IFRS S1/S2 disclosures.
2. Read the company’s integrated report — IFRS S1/S2 data should be there (not just sustainability report).
3. Assess trend over time — are emissions decreasing, assurance increasing, targets tightening?
4. Look for IFRS S1/S2 “connectivity” — ESG risks linked to financial statements → best predictor of future resilience.
5. Compare peers — companies with S1/S2 compliance will likely outperform laggards once ESG disclosure becomes mandatory globally.

Investor Call-to-Action

The next decade will separate ethical profitability from unsustainable growth.
Regulators are watching. Consumers are choosing consciously.
And investors — like you — are the true force behind this transformation.

• 🟢 Reward transparency — invest in companies embracing IFRS S1/S2 early.
• 🔴 Exit greenwashers — if disclosures are vague, unaudited, or unlinked to finances, it’s a ticking bomb.
• ⚙️ Engage actively — ask your fund manager whether your portfolio companies align with IFRS S1/S2.
• 🌍 Think generationally — investing in sustainable firms isn’t charity; it’s risk management for your children’s economy.

Because tomorrow’s wealth will belong to those who invest in accountability, not illusion.

💬 “Profit builds companies. Purpose builds legacies.”

Here’s a reference link that provides insights into ESG red flags for investors:

• “ESG Disclosures: The Red Flags Investors Look For” – This article discusses key indicators that investors should be aware of when evaluating a company’s ESG disclosures, such as excessive qualitative information without quantitative data and the presence of numerous case studies and pictures, which may signal a lack of substantive ESG practices. governance-intelligence.com

🌍 When Numbers Found a Conscience: The Story of ESG and IFRS

Once upon a time, the world of finance was ruled purely by numbers — profits, losses, and percentages dancing across balance sheets. Companies were measured by how much they earned, not how much they cared.

That’s when ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — entered the story.
It wasn’t just another corporate buzzword. It was a promise — to look beyond the balance sheet, to count the air we breathe, the hands that build our dreams, and the ethics that guide boardrooms.

Then came a quiet awakening. Forests were burning, oceans were choking, and workers were crying for dignity behind the glitter of corporate success. The world began asking a new kind of question — “What is the cost of growth if it leaves the planet poorer?”

But caring without clarity often breeds confusion. Everyone began talking about sustainability, yet no two reports spoke the same language. Investors were lost, comparing apples to oceans.

That’s when IFRS — International Financial Reporting Standards — stepped in through its new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
It offered a common voice, a global grammar for sustainability — ensuring that when a company in India or Italy speaks of climate risk or social impact, the world understands it in the same way.

Together, ESG and IFRS are rewriting the story of business — from one driven by quarterly profits to one measured by lasting purpose.

It’s not just about reporting anymore.
It’s about responsibility.
It’s about telling the truth — in numbers and in values.

🌱 What Exactly Is ESG?

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance — the three pillars that define how responsibly a company operates.

1. Environmental: How does a company impact the planet? (carbon emissions, waste, energy use, water conservation)
2. Social: How does it treat its people and community? (fair wages, gender equality, worker safety, customer privacy)
3. Governance: How ethically is it managed? (transparency, board diversity, anti-corruption, executive accountability)

ESG isn’t charity. It’s strategy.
Investors now look at ESG scores the way they once looked at profit margins — as a sign of resilience, integrity, and long-term value.

🌏 Why ESG Reporting Matters Now

Because the world has changed.
Consumers care about clean products. Investors care about ethical profits. And employees care about working for purpose-driven companies.

When a company reports transparently on its ESG impact, it’s not just filing paperwork — it’s earning trust.

Governments, too, are stepping up:

• India introduced BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report) for top-listed firms.
• Europe made ESG mandatory under CSRD and ESRS.
• UK, Australia, Japan, and others are aligning their systems with IFRS S1 and S2.

This global convergence means one thing: the age of voluntary sustainability reporting is ending.
The age of verified, standardized, and comparable ESG reporting has begun.

🌍 Understanding IFRS, ISSB, and the New Era of Sustainability Reporting (IFRS S1 & S2)

💡 What is IFRS?

IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards — a set of globally accepted accounting rules issued by the IFRS Foundation.
They ensure that a company’s financial statements are consistent, transparent, and comparable across countries.

Before IFRS, every nation had its own accounting rules, making it difficult for investors and regulators to compare companies globally. IFRS changed that — it created a common financial language for the world.

Now, the same global organization is doing the same thing for sustainability.

🌱 What is ISSB?

In 2021, the IFRS Foundation launched the ISSB — International Sustainability Standards Board.
Its mission: to develop a single, global baseline for sustainability reporting, similar to how IFRS unified financial reporting.

The ISSB consolidates earlier frameworks like:

• SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board)
• TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
• CDSB (Climate Disclosure Standards Board)
• IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council)

This means companies now have one structured, comparable way to report their ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) impacts.

📘 The Two Cornerstones: IFRS S1 & IFRS S2

In June 2023, the ISSB released its first two sustainability standards — IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 — marking a historic shift in how the world views corporate reporting.

1. IFRS S1 — General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information

• Sets the foundation for sustainability reporting.
• Requires companies to disclose all sustainability-related risks and opportunities that could affect their future financial performance.
• Covers governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics across environmental and social topics.
• Essentially: “Tell investors how sustainability issues could impact your bottom line.”

2. IFRS S2 — Climate-related Disclosures

• Focuses specifically on climate risks.
• Builds on the TCFD framework (governance, strategy, risk, metrics & targets).
• Requires disclosure of:
  • GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3)
  • Climate resilience analysis (scenario planning)
  • Transition plans for a low-carbon economy
  • Carbon offsets and targets

Together, IFRS S1 and S2 bring sustainability reporting to the same level of credibility and structure as financial reporting.

Steps to Implement IFRS S1 & S2 in Your Company

1. Scope Your Entities
   • Identify legal entities, subsidiaries, and operations in scope.
2. Conduct Materiality Assessment
   • Evaluate ESG risks and opportunities for financial materiality.
   • Focus on what affects investor decisions.
3. Map Current Disclosures
   • Compare current ESG, sustainability, or CSR reports to S1/S2 requirements.
4. Develop Metrics & Data Collection Systems
   • Set up reporting processes for GHG, water, waste, diversity, governance metrics.
5. Integrate Into Risk Management
   • Embed ESG and climate risk processes into overall enterprise risk management.
6. Set Targets & Scenario Analysis
   • Establish short-, medium-, and long-term sustainability goals.
   • Conduct scenario analysis for climate risks (S2).
7. Prepare Governance Documentation
   • Document board oversight, management responsibilities, and internal review processes.
8. Assurance & Audit Readiness
   • Ensure data integrity, traceability, and internal controls for third-party assurance.
9. Digital Reporting
   • Prepare for digital tagging/XBRL if required by local regulators or stock exchanges.

Benefits of Adopting IFRS S1 & S2

• Investor Confidence: Transparent, comparable, and decision-useful ESG information.
• Regulatory Alignment: Easier compliance with evolving national ESG rules (CSRD, BRSR, UK SRS).
• Risk Mitigation: Early identification of ESG and climate risks that affect business value.
• Long-term Value Creation: Aligns corporate strategy with sustainable growth and future-proofing.

Key Takeaways for Companies

• IFRS S1: Provides the general sustainability disclosure framework.
• IFRS S2: Provides climate-specific disclosure requirements.
• Materiality: Focus on financial impact for investors.
• Governance & Metrics: Strong oversight, clear metrics, measurable targets.
• Integration: Sustainability reporting should be part of risk management and strategic planning.

12-Month IFRS S1 & S2 Implementation Roadmap for Companies

Sample Metrics to Track (IFRS S1 & S2 Aligned)

Tips for Success

1. Cross-functional collaboration: Sustainability, Finance, Risk, IT, and Legal must work together.
2. Board engagement: Early involvement ensures credibility and accountability.
3. Centralized data system: Prevents inconsistencies and supports assurance.
4. Continuous review: IFRS S1 & S2 evolve; update reporting annually.

This roadmap allows companies to start small but plan strategically for full IFRS S1 & S2 alignment within 12 months.

🌎 Why It Matters

• Investors can now compare sustainability performance globally, like financial statements.
• Companies gain trust through transparent, data-backed ESG disclosures.
• Regulators can align local frameworks (like India’s BRSR, Europe’s CSRD) with a common international baseline.

In short:

IFRS built the language of finance.
ISSB is building the language of sustainability.

💚 A New Language of Trust

Imagine a future where every company’s ESG report is as reliable as its annual financial statement.
Where an investor doesn’t need to guess which company truly walks the talk on climate.
Where profits and purpose finally speak the same language.

That’s the vision behind IFRS-led ESG reporting — to give sustainability the credibility it deserves and make it an inseparable part of business success.

Because in the end, numbers mean little without conscience.
And conscience means little without clarity.

✨ A Call for Conscious Capitalism

The story of ESG and IFRS isn’t just about balance sheets and boardrooms — it’s about the kind of world we choose to build together.

Every number in a sustainability report represents something real: a child breathing cleaner air, a worker treated with dignity, a forest spared for another generation. 🌱

The IFRS S1 and S2 standards have given companies a new compass — one that points not just toward profit, but toward purpose with proof.
Now, it’s up to us — investors, consumers, and citizens — to follow that compass with courage.

💼 If You’re an Investor

Before the next stock pick or fund switch, look beyond earnings.
Ask: What kind of world is my money creating?
Check for companies aligned with IFRS S1 & S2 or strong ESG scores.
Because true growth isn’t measured by quarterly returns — it’s measured by the future those returns make possible.

📈 Invest where transparency meets responsibility.
Support businesses that are building trust, not just wealth.

🛒 If You’re a Consumer

Every purchase tells a story.
When you choose a product made ethically or a brand that reports honestly, you cast a silent vote for a better tomorrow.

🌾 Choose with conscience.
Read sustainability labels, follow ESG disclosures, and share responsible brands.

Because when billions of small choices lean toward good, entire economies shift.

🌏 Our Shared Future

The next generation will not ask how much we earned — they will ask how well we cared.
Let’s ensure that when they look back, they see a time when numbers found a conscience — and humanity found its balance. 💚

Reference

For authoritative information on IFRS S1 and S2, you can refer to the IFRS Foundation’s official standards navigator:

• IFRS S1: General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information
  This standard outlines the general requirements for disclosing sustainability-related financial information, aiming to provide users with useful insights into an entity’s sustainability-related risks and opportunities. IFRS
• IFRS S2: Climate-related Disclosures
  This standard focuses on the disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities, building upon the requirements of IFRS S1, and is designed to be used in conjunction with it. IFRS

Both standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with earlier application permitted if IFRS S2 is also applied. IFRS

Read our blogs on corporate governance here.

The Story Behind Dassehra

Dassara, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of India’s most celebrated festivals. At its heart, it is about the victory of good over evil. Two main legends are associated with it:

1. Lord Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana Story

• Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, kidnapped Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.
• Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and the devoted Hanuman, waged a fierce battle to rescue her.
• After days of war, Rama finally shot the fatal arrow that killed Ravana on the tenth day of battle — Vijayadashami.
• This victory symbolized the triumph of righteousness (dharma) over arrogance, lies, and evil.

👉 This is why, in North India, huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath are burnt every Dassara, reminding people that evil — no matter how strong — will ultimately fall.

2. Goddess Durga and Mahishasura – The Devi Story

• According to another tradition, a powerful demon named Mahishasura terrorized heaven and earth.
• None of the gods could defeat him, so they combined their powers to create Goddess Durga.
• After a fierce nine-day battle, Durga finally killed Mahishasura on the tenth day.
• This day came to be known as Vijayadashami, marking the victory of divine feminine power over evil.

👉 This is why, in Bengal and eastern India, Dassara is the grand finale of Durga Puja, where idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers after days of worship.

✨ The Deeper Message

Both stories, though different, carry the same truth:

• Evil may appear powerful for a while, but it never lasts.
• Courage, truth, and goodness always prevail in the end.

How Dassehra is Celebrated Across India

Though Dassara symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, the celebrations vary from region to region, each carrying its own flavor, culture, and traditions.

1. North India – Ramlila & Burning of Ravana Effigies

• The Ramayana story is staged as Ramlila plays in towns and villages.
• The climax happens on Dassara when gigantic effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath — stuffed with firecrackers — are set ablaze.
• Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab are famous for these grand shows.

2. West Bengal – End of Durga Puja

Dassara coincides with the last day of Durga Puja, when Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura is celebrated.


On Vijayadashami, beautifully decorated idols of Durga are taken in procession and immersed in rivers or seas.


Women perform the ritual of Sindoor Khela (smearing vermillion on each other) before bidding farewell to the Goddess.

3. Mysuru, Karnataka – Royal Dasara

• Known as Mysuru Dasara, it is the state festival of Karnataka.
• The highlight is the grand procession (Jamboo Savari), led by decorated elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
• The Mysore Palace is illuminated with 100,000+ lights — a breathtaking sight.

4. Gujarat – Garba & Dandiya Nights

• In Gujarat, Dassara falls on the last day of Navratri, which is celebrated with nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas dances.
• On Vijayadashami, people perform shastra puja (worship of tools, weapons, or instruments of work).

5. Maharashtra – Shami Tree & Exchange of Gold Leaves

• People worship the Shami tree, recalling the story of the Pandavas hiding their weapons in it during exile.
• Families exchange Apta tree leaves, symbolizing gold, and greet each other with prosperity wishes.

6. Tamil Nadu & Southern States – Saraswati & Ayudha Puja

• In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, Dassara is part of Navratri Golu (doll festival).
• On Vijayadashami, Ayudha Puja is performed — tools, vehicles, books, and instruments are cleaned, decorated, and worshipped.
• Children are often initiated into learning (Vidyarambham) on this auspicious day.

7. Himachal Pradesh – Kullu Dussehra

• Celebrated for a whole week after Vijayadashami.
• Local deities from nearby villages are brought in procession to Kullu, where they join the main idol of Lord Raghunathji.
• Instead of burning effigies, a symbolic sacrifice of evil is performed.

8. Odisha & Eastern States

• Celebrated as the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, with processions and immersion ceremonies similar to Bengal.
• The Shami tree and Jammi puja are also observed in some regions.

✨ Common Thread

Despite the regional variations, the essence of Dassara remains the same:

• Victory of truth over lies
• Triumph of good over evil
• Reminder to burn our inner Ravanas

The Story of the Inner Ravana

A young boy, Ravi, once asked his grandfather why people burn Ravana every year. The old man smiled and said,
“Ravana’s ten heads are not just in stories. They represent anger, greed, jealousy, ego, laziness, and other bad habits we all carry. Burning the effigy outside is easy. Burning the Ravana inside is the true victory.”

That night Ravi thought about it. When he shouted at his sister — that was anger. When he lied about his homework — that was dishonesty. When he refused to share toys — that was greed. Slowly, he understood that every good choice he made was like cutting off one of Ravana’s heads within him.

The 10 Heads of Ravana in Modern Life

Here’s what Ravana’s heads look like today — and how we can “burn” them:

Why This Matters Today

In modern life, evil is less about demons and more about habits, temptations, and negative patterns that pull us down. The Dassara festival reminds us that no matter how strong these inner demons seem, they can be defeated with self-awareness, discipline, and courage.

A Personal Dassehra Ritual

This year, don’t just enjoy the fireworks. Write down one “head of Ravana” you want to burn within yourself. It could be anger, fear, laziness, or dishonesty. Consciously work on it every day — and by the next Dassara, you’ll be lighter, stronger, and more victorious.

✨ True victory is not watching Ravana burn outside but ensuring he no longer rules inside us.

Empowering Women

Dassara is not only about Rama’s victory over Ravana but also about the powerful role women played in shaping the epic. From Sita’s courage and dignity in adversity, to Shabari’s devotion that broke barriers of caste and status, to Mandodari’s wisdom in advising Ravana against arrogance — the Ramayana highlights women as carriers of strength, faith, and wisdom.

In today’s world, we see the same spirit in women who rise as entrepreneurs, leaders, scientists, and changemakers, overcoming challenges of inequality and bias. Just as Sita stood unshaken in Ravana’s captivity, modern women show resilience in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities. This Dassara, as we burn the Ravana within, let us also commit to empowering women so their voices and leadership can help defeat the evils of discrimination, violence, and injustice.

Green Dassehra

Burn the Ravana Inside — Not the Air Outside

This Dassara, let’s make our victory over evil also a victory for the planet. Firecrackers and smoky effigies fill the air with noise and pollution that lingers long after the fireworks fade. The real triumph — the one that lasts — is when we burn the Ravana inside us: anger, greed, pride, jealousy. Celebrate with joy, but leave cleaner air and kinder hearts for everyone.

Why Go Green?

• Firecrackers increase air and noise pollution and harm children, elders, pets, and people with respiratory issues.
• Traditional effigies can use non-biodegradable materials that pollute when burned.
• A quieter, cleaner celebration spreads joy without collateral harm.

7 Ways to Celebrate Green Dassehra 🌱

1. Eco-Friendly Effigies
   Build Ravana effigies from straw, bamboo, and paper instead of plastic or thermocol. Avoid firecrackers — let symbolic burning be smoke-free.
2. Community Pledges
   Instead of crackers, gather as a community and write down one bad habit (anger, jealousy, greed) on paper. Burn these small notes safely, symbolizing the destruction of inner Ravanas.
3. Plant a Tree for Ravana
   For every Ravana effigy, plant trees as a mark of renewal and victory of life over destruction.
4. Storytelling & Ramlila Plays
   Organize street plays or short skits that highlight the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana — spreading wisdom without pollution.
5. Light Over Smoke
   Decorate with diyas, lanterns, or LED lights instead of smoky fireworks.
6. Sweets, Not Smoke
   Share eco-friendly gifts, homemade sweets, or local crafts to spread joy while supporting artisans.
7. Teach Children the True Spirit
   Encourage kids to dress as Rama, Sita, Hanuman and perform plays — instilling values of courage, truth, and kindness.

The Real Ravana to Burn 🔥

Ravana is not just an effigy — he lives inside us in the form of ego, anger, greed, jealousy, and pride. The real victory is when we burn these negative qualities and let kindness, honesty, and compassion win.

🌏 A Festival of Victory, A Future of Responsibility

By celebrating a Green Dassara, we pass on cleaner air, quieter nights, and stronger values to the next generation. The message of the festival remains the same — good will always overcome evil — but this time, good also means making choices that protect our planet.

This year, let’s not just burn Ravana outside.
Let’s burn the Ravana within — and let the earth breathe easy. 🌿

Read our blogs on holistic health & wellness here.

👉 Kid-Friendly Ramayana Summary

Ramayana: The Story of Rama, Sita & the Triumph of Good
Source: FirstCry – The Ramayana Story For Children With Moral FirstCry
(Another version: EuroKids — Story Summary eurokidsindia.com)