Accelerating ESGbility - Deeksha Vats

This LeadCast episode, part of the SoundBox leadership communication program, features Diksha Vats, Chief Sustainability Officer of  Aditya Birla Group. The conversation centers on the group's sustainability journey since 2013, highlighting key achievements and the importance of ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance).

Vats outlines a systems-based approach to sustainability, including an IT platform for data management, self-assessments, and capacity building through training. She discusses the group's shift towards "Sustainability 2.0," emphasizing contextualization based on sector, geography, value chain position, and organizational maturity. She explains the significance of the recently released ESG report, describing it as a communication tool for both internal and external stakeholders, solidifying the group's commitment to long-term sustainability.

Vats breaks down the components of ESG, explaining how each element applies to the diverse businesses within the group. She acknowledges the challenges of measuring social impact (the "S" in ESG) compared to environmental metrics, advocating for a collaborative approach to address these complex issues. The episode concludes with a discussion of the group's future sustainability targets and roadmap, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and evolution in this field.