Day 1 - 6 Nov 2023
Inaugural Plenary: Solutions for Sustainability & Inclusivity: Policy, Innovation & Collaboration
First High-Level Plenary: Solutions for Sustainability & Inclusivity: Role of Policy
Co -Host :
Co -Host
Second High-Level Plenary: Solutions for Sustainability & Inclusivity: Purpose-driven Innovations
Third High-Level Plenary:Collaborative Cotton Futures: ACRE’s Regenerative Agriculture Initiative in India
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
Day 2 - 7 Nov 2023
Session Time : 10:00 – 11:30
Empowering Women Cotton Farmers: Cultivating Change, Closing Gender Gaps, and Combatting Climate Change
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Valuing Nature and People in Business Strategy and Operations: Lessons from India and other Emerging Economies
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
Women farmers in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh play a key but largely unrecognised role in smallholder cotton production, where they make up a significant proportion of the workforce. From planting seeds to nurturing and harvesting crops, they are critical to the supply of high-quality raw material sourced by global retail buyers, but their contributions are informal, mostly accommodated alongside their domestic and care work responsibilities. They are less likely to be part of farm decision-making or to own land and they lack access to education and skills training.
The Communiqué of Task Forces of Think20 India encourages G20 members to provide impetus and develop approaches to natural capital valuation (such as nature markets, and payment for ecosystem services) in an effort to address global environmental challenges, mobilise investments, create new opportunities and deliver sustainable livelihoods.
To make natural capital valuation accessible to policy and business, UNEP TEEB has led the EU funded The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) AgriFood project in six large emerging economies next to India, Brazil, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. As part of this project, Capitals Coalition has implemented the TEEBAgriFood for Business project to support the uptake of natural capital valuation among businesses.
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Aligning sustainability to the policy landscape for soft commodities
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Enabling Indian SMEs for Sustainable and Circular
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The Indian A&T Sector encompasses the entire value chain starting from raw materials and fibre production to post consumption collection and recycling. The sector contributes significantly to the Indian GDP and exports and is the second largest employer after agriculture. Given this scale, the sector can benefit immensely from adopting circular and sustainable practices.
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Driving Responsible Business: Developing Effective Human Rights Policies & Processes
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Innovative Strategies for Advancing Sustainable Palm Oil Production in India
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The session focused on actionable strategies and innovative approaches to promote sustainable palm oil production in India. It aimed to bring together experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore solutions for addressing the challenges while maximizing the opportunities for sustainable palm oil in the Indian context.
Furthermore, the theme focused on the need to promote and enhance the sustainability of palm oil production practices within the Indian palm oil industry.
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Paving the way for Sustainable and Inclusive Global Value Chains
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Supporting gender equality and social inclusion: Innovative solutions to transform supply chains
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The ISS2023 session on global value chains addressed the need for North-South collaboration, aligning with the conference theme of Sustainability and Inclusivity. It aimed to make global value chains more equitable through policy, innovation, and collaboration, contributing to a just and sustainable world. Objectives included identifying challenges, sharing best practices, and examining measures for inclusive growth and environmental sustainability. Outputs included a report, policy recommendations, a call to action, and plans for ongoing collaboration. The session, structured around an expert panel discussion, facilitated dynamic dialogue for meaningful outcomes.
Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is a crucial component of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, it is clear that more can and will need to be done if we are to make adequate progress in this space. The UN estimates that at the current rate of progress, it will take up to 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace. With less than a decade to meet the 2030 SDGs, now is a critical time for sustainability standards and other supply chain actors to take action to contribute to gender equality goals.
Session Time : 16:30– 18:00
Strategizing Climate Adaptation for the Private sector A regional roundtable discussion
Session Time : 16:30– 18:00
Responsible Business Conduct and the RMG Sector
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
Physical climate risks, such as extreme weather events, increasing temperatures and sea level rise, pose significant risks to human populations, plants and animal species and the environment. It is clear from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report (2018) that while climate risks are projected to be less significant under a 1.5°C scenario than a 2°C scenario, need for climate adaptation is unavoidable, especially for more vulnerable areas. Adapting to current and projected climate change impacts across the world requires widespread mobilisation to protect human safety and ecological health. As vulnerable groups face disproportionate impacts of climate they will bear the greatest challenges of adaptation.
Session Time : 16:30– 18:00
Small Business, Big Impact: India's SMEs on the Path to Net Zero
Session Time : 16:30– 18:00
Integration of Sustainability in Management Education
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The session focused on the pivotal role of the MSME sector in India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, exports, and employment. Representing approximately 30% of the country’s GDP and employing 110 million workers, MSMEs are crucial for India’s journey towards net zero and economic stability. As these enterprises prioritize climate action, the SME Climate Hub, with its dedicated presence in India, becomes a key ally. It aims to mainstream climate action among small to medium-sized businesses, providing them with knowledge, tools, and resources to make credible net zero commitments and achieve emission reduction targets. The Hub acts as a bridge, fostering collaboration between large businesses and MSMEs to align climate priorities and leverage corporate support for SME climate ambition. Through this event, the SME Climate Hub seeks to enhance collaboration within the MSME ecosystem, unlocking new opportunities and reinforcing collective efforts toward achieving net zero goals.
This session aims to advance sustainability education by identifying effective approaches and replicable models. Participants will explore inspiring and inclusive solutions to equip the next generation of business leaders, emphasizing the roles of policy and innovation in the process. The session seeks to enhance understanding, synergy, and collaboration between academia and industry in the realm of sustainability. By identifying successful integration models, discussing inclusive solutions for future leaders, and fostering stronger ties between academic and industrial sectors, the session aims to catalyze positive change and progress towards a more sustainable future.
Session Time : 18:00– 19:00
EU-India Business Collaborative on Sustainable Development, Climate Action and Inclusivity
Co -Host :
Center for Responsible Business and, the European Union delegation have been working on a program
Day 3 - 8 Nov 2023
Session Time : 10:30– 11:30
Transforming Indian Workplaces with Family-Friendly Policies for a Brighter Future and Sustainable Development
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Social Stock Exchange
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
Implementing family-friendly policies in Indian workplaces is imperative, both from a social justice perspective and bolstering business performance. Policies such as paternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, onsite crèches, and childcare stipends have benefitted employees and employers significantly.
This session aims to advance sustainability education by identifying effective approaches and replicable models. Participants will explore inspiring and inclusive solutions to equip the next generation of business leaders, emphasizing the roles of policy and innovation in the process. The session seeks to enhance understanding, synergy, and collaboration between academia and industry in the realm of sustainability. By identifying successful integration models, discussing inclusive solutions for future leaders, and fostering stronger ties between academic and industrial sectors, the session aims to catalyze positive change and progress towards a more sustainable future.
Session Time : 12:00– 13:30
Driving Demand for Sustainable Consumption: Contributing to Mission LiFE
Session Time : 12:30– 13:30
Sustainable Supply Chain by Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in India
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The session addresses a crucial issue in the Indian market – the low awareness about sustainable products, exacerbated by misleading advertisements. To boost consumer confidence and align with the Mission Lifestyle for the Environment (Mission LiFE) of the Government of India, there is an urgent need for increased awareness about credible sustainability initiatives. This is especially important among specific demographics, such as young millennials. Consumer-facing businesses play a pivotal role and need to invest in internal strategies to effectively communicate their sustainability performance. The session, co-hosted by Rainforest Alliance and the Centre for Responsible Business, aims to bring together senior practitioners from the government, businesses, and international organizations. Their collective efforts will focus on addressing the awareness gap, promoting sustainable consumption, and contributing to the success of Mission LiFE, which has gained international recognition, including a place on the G20 agenda.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) plays a crucial role in establishing global labour standards that aim to improve working conditions and uphold Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW). These standards are especially important in India, where the supply chains involve both formal and informal sectors, creating a complex landscape. While larger businesses at the top of these chains often comply with labour laws and ethical practices, small enterprises and individual producers in the informal sector are often neglected. This leads to a systemic imbalance where workers at the lower levels are invisible and disadvantaged, lacking the benefits of social dialogue, improved working conditions, and social protection. Furthermore, the lack of freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining worsen these problems.
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Responsible Sourcing of Agri -commodities: Challenges and Opportunities
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Neutrality to Stewardship: Transitioning towards Water Secure India
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
The Communiqué of Task Forces of Think20 India encourages G20 members to provide impetus and develop approaches to natural capital valuation (such as nature markets, and payment for ecosystem services) in an effort to address global environmental challenges, mobilise investments, create new opportunities and deliver sustainable livelihoods.
To make natural capital valuation accessible to policy and business, UNEP TEEB has led the EU funded The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) AgriFood project in six large emerging economies next to India, Brazil, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. As part of this project, Capitals Coalition has implemented the TEEBAgriFood for Business project to support the uptake of natural capital valuation among businesses.
Water is the ultimate shared resource and it can be only be managed sustainably if all water users in a river basin work together. India Water Stewardship Network calls on the businesses to become water stewards and go beyond water efficiency practices, to lead collective action in river basins in the country.
Session Time : 14:30– 16:00
Collaborative Systems Change: Increasing Impact of Solutions for Sustainability & Inclusivity
Session Time : 16:30– 18:00
State Experiences and Innovative Approaches to Fast-track the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Co -Host :
Co -Host :
Changemakers around the world have come up with solutions to different sustainability and inclusivity problems we face in their contexts. However, these innovations and solutions do not spread quick enough to address the same problems around the world, and sometimes the problem keeps resurfacing. This session will help explore systems change approaches to addressing any problem in a long lasting, equitable and sustainable way, by learning about it’s root causes and key places to intervene in a system.
The session emphasized the crucial role of collaboration in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the face of challenges like the global pandemic. Despite setbacks, India has shown progressive commitment, improving from 57/100 in 2018 to 66/100 in 2022. The Indian model of SDG Localisation focuses on institutional ownership, robust monitoring, capacity development, and a “whole-of-society” approach.
With the objective of accelerating SDG pursuits, the session aimed to explore innovative collaborations between CSOs, businesses, state governments, and other stakeholders. It seeks to highlight state-level SDG performance, promote partnerships, and examine the role of innovation and technology in expediting progress. As part of the CRB 10th annual sustainability conference, the session, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and UNDP India, aims to foster collaboration, showcase successful practices, and leverage innovation for SDG achievements
Session Time : 18:00– 19:00
Closing Plenary
Co -Host :