IICSR Sustainability Dialogues: Walking the Talk on Sustainability

The IICSR Sustainability Dialogues – Walk the Talk on Sustainability, held in New Delhi, brought together senior corporate leaders, policy voices, social sector practitioners, and academic experts for an evening of purposeful dialogue, reflection, and collaboration. Designed as an action-oriented forum rather than a conventional panel discussion, the Dialogue focused on one pressing question: How do organisations translate sustainability commitments into measurable, real-world impact?

At a time when sustainability narratives are increasingly visible in boardrooms and reports, the Dialogue created space for candid conversations on what it truly takes to move from intent to implementation.

Distinguished Speakers and Perspectives

The Dialogue featured a distinguished panel of speakers, each bringing deep domain expertise and practical insights from their respective fields:

• Ms. Deeshita Dave, Manager of Sustainability, Spark Minda Foundation, shared perspectives on integrating sustainability into core business strategy and aligning ESG goals with operational decision-making.

• Mr. Rajesh Srivastava, Chairman, Prowess Advisors, reflected on governance, leadership accountability, and the evolving expectations of boards and investors in the sustainability landscape.

• Ms. Bharati Joshi, CEO, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, highlighted the importance of inclusive development, community-led impact, and ensuring that sustainability efforts create value at the grassroots level.

• Mr. Vivek Prakash, Senior Vice President and Head – CSR, Jubilant Ingrevia Limited, spoke on corporate responsibility, long-term social investments, and the shift from philanthropic CSR to strategic, outcome-driven interventions.

• Mr. Prakash Tewari, Member, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), provided policy-level insights, emphasising the role of regulatory frameworks, transparency, and institutional accountability in accelerating sustainable development.

• Dr. K. K. Upadhyay, Professor and Chairperson, Centre for Sustainability & CSR, BIMTECH, brought an academic lens to the discussion, underscoring the need for evidence-based decision-making, education, and capacity building to strengthen sustainability leadership.

Together, the speakers addressed not only success stories but also the structural gaps that continue to hinder meaningful progress—calling for honesty, courage, and collaboration across sectors.

From Dialogue to Action

Key themes that emerged from the Dialogue included:

• Moving from compliance-led ESG to impact-led sustainability

• Embedding sustainability within business strategy and leadership KPIs

• Bridging the gap between policy intent and on-ground execution

• Strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and civil society

The interactive format encouraged participation, enabling attendees to engage directly with speakers and peers, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration beyond the event.

Recognising Commitment and Building Community

The event also featured an in-person certificate award ceremony, recognising participants who have demonstrated commitment to advancing sustainability knowledge and practice. This moment of recognition reinforced the importance of continuous learning and leadership development in the sustainability journey.

Looking Ahead

The IICSR Sustainability Dialogues reaffirmed a fundamental truth: sustainability cannot remain aspirational. It must be operational, accountable, and deeply embedded in organisational culture. As expectations from regulators, investors, and society continue to rise, the responsibility to “walk the talk” has never been more critical.

IICSR remains committed to convening platforms that foster honest conversations, enable shared learning, and catalyse action. The Delhi Dialogue was not an endpoint—but a meaningful step forward in shaping a more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Because real sustainability is not defined by what we promise—but by what we practice.