Making business case out of sustainability is a challenge: WWF

Making a "business case" out of sustainability and environmental issues is one of the prime challenges that WWF is facing, the nature conservation organisation said, while laying emphasis on more corporates engagement for social causes.
"Sustainability is a long term thing, you don't see the results in a year or two. Corporates, on the other hand, work on balance sheets, schedules and timelines. The challenge then is how do you make a business case out of that," WWF India Programme Director Sejal Worah told reporters here.
She added that while there are many companies, mostly large multinational firms that engage with bodies like WWF, there are a lot of small and medium firms that are not doing much in terms of sustainability efforts.

Microsoft Devices today partnered with WWF India to launch its 'Create to Inspire' Fellowship 2014 in Delhi.
"We have been engaging with firms like Microsoft Devices (erstwhile Nokia) and Marks and Spencers. Some (large) Indian companies have also started taking steps to protect the environment. However, there are a large number of smaller firms that need to take more steps," she said.
Nokia India (a Microsoft Mobile Oy subsidiary) Managing Director P Balaji said the company has been working with WWF for 11 years and for seven years in India.
"Nokia is committed towards sustainable consumption of resources. For the creation of a sustainable future, it is essential to inspire people, especially the youth, to make sustainable choices in all spheres of their lives," he said.

Under the programme, the firm will provide a platform to 50 youngsters (aged between 18-25 years) to use their creative arts to build innovative social action projects under the guidance of mentors from various fields of art for 4 months.