World is getting more serious about ESG compliance. India must catch up too

There is a global movement towards making businesses more responsible and India should also make efforts in that direction

The recent departure of Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto’s chief executive officer, Jean-Sebastien Jacques, on the grounds of destruction of two ancient and revered Aboriginal caves in Pilbara, western Australia, is being hailed as the growing power of “Environment, Social & Governance” (ESG) focus in the business world. Rightly so. After all, it’s not every day that you witness the boss of an otherwise well-performing global firm being kicked out due to investor pressure so unceremoniously for a “crime” that in another day and age would have been quietly and conveniently brushed under the carpet, let alone be allowed to turn