Call it an Indian CEOs growing UN tribe. With the United Nations gradually viewing businesses as part of the solution rather than the problem to address issues like climate change and social development, a number of Indian CEOs are invited to occupy high chairs to lead serious non-business initiatives as well as share their experiences at important global conferences.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Two of India’s largest and respected businesses the Tata Group and Indian Oil have made it to the list of 270 companies worldwide to have adopted a human rights policy statement.
Earth Day on April 22 has started getting more buy in from corporates. Going beyond customary tree plantation under their CSR initiatives, companies are now increasingly marking the annual day with the launch of green products and services.
Cleantech Group with more than $3 trillion in assets brings together Rajat Gupta, director, McKinsey; Tejpreet S Chopra, president & CEO, GE India; Raja Parthasarathy, MD, IDFC Private Equity; Anupam Yog, founder, Mirabilis Advisory and Nitin Desai, former UN under secretary-general to deliberate on strengthening clean technology business in India.
Yes Bank is a leading new age private sector bank in India. Following a knowledge driven approach, the bank focuses particularly on the future industries of India. What differentiates it from other commercial banks is its responsible banking.
When Mitsubishi International Corporations president and CEO Ryoichi Ueda was asked to double as parent companys (Mitsubishi Corporation) chief sustainability officer for North America earlier this year, it brought into limelight the trend of appointing sustainability managers at senior levels. Today, more and more companies are appointing chief sustainability officers, who report directly to CEOs.
Some Indian companies are not only engaging with their supply chains to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and promote safe sexual behaviour, but also offering treatment to the infected.