Pratik Bijlani–
On September 25th, the Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) ESG Council hosted a major information session at the CCI Club in Mumbai, focussing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). It sought to promote sustainable practices in the logistics and multimodal transportation sectors by bringing together industry professionals to debate the crucial relevance of incorporating ESG concepts into corporate operations. The conference, attended by key personalities such as Rajiv Jalota, Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust, and ESG experts, focused on how ESG frameworks are becoming increasingly important for organisations, allowing them to improve operational efficiency, attract investments, and fulfil global sustainability targets.
The conference opened with a welcome remark by Mr Vivek Kele, AMTOI ESG Council Representative, who emphasised the council’s commitment to encouraging knowledge-sharing activities on ESG norms. The importance of this event was reflected in the attendance of members, both online and physically, who engaged in thought-provoking discussions with the speakers.
Mr Jalota, the Chief Guest, spoke about Mumbai Port’s progress in implementing green projects such as shore power facilities for ships, zero-emission transportation, and the use of green fuels such as hydrogen. He praised AMTOI’s efforts to bring the ESG agenda to the forefront of the logistics industry, particularly in terms of minimising climate change effects.
A series of talks followed, beginning with a thorough discussion by Dr. Rakesh Kumar, President of the Society of Indoor Environment, who emphasised the importance of ESG in developing a sustainable logistics business. He emphasised the importance of decreasing CO2 emissions from the global transport industry by 68% by 2050 to fulfil the 1.5°C climate target. Dr. Kumar praised India’s role in global climate negotiations and urged the industry to embrace innovative solutions such as hydrogen power, electric vehicles, and circular supply chains to achieve sustainability goals.
He stated, “India has rightfully taken the lead in ESG.” And it is quite encouraging that many sectors have taken steps to minimise things in comparison to many other countries. And that is something to be proud of. Many other countries are still trying to figure this out.”
Mr Anurag Seghal and Mr Preetish Biswal of Price Waterhouse Coopers provided another important presentation, this time on the impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on India’s logistics sector. They highlighted the possible financial and operational hurdles that Indian exporters may face as a result of the EU’s carbon pricing laws, as well as the significance of greener practices in order to compete in global markets.
During his speech, Dr. R.D. Tripathi emphasised the growing importance of ESG, particularly its financial relevance. “Why is it becoming so widespread? Look at the EU norm, the US standard, and now Australia has embraced it, among other places. It is financially related because it has become a mandatory requirement in the financial statement, because the ultimate goal of ESG is to save the company, bring sustainability, and allow the company to perform in the long run,” he explained, emphasising that sustainability and transparency are now essential for business longevity.
Dr. Meraj Inamdar’s lecture on “Demystifying BRSR and ESG” described the Indian ESG reporting framework and its implications for logistics companies. He discussed SEBI’s BRSR (corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) mandates for the top 1000 listed businesses, emphasising the necessity of environmental management in corporate operations.
The discussion continued with a presentation by Sivaranjani Subramaniami, COO of Environment Managing Systems Pvt. Ltd., who detailed a decarbonisation strategy for the Mumbai Port. She emphasised the need of governmental interventions and technology improvements in helping ports attain net-zero emissions.
The programme concluded with a networking session over refreshments, where industry leaders, ESG experts, and delegates exchanged ideas, marking a key step towards a more sustainable future in logistics.
Marex Media