The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) recently hosted the inaugural National Association of Impact Leaders (NAIL) Meet 2025 in Goa, attracting over 100 participants, including eminent ESG professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders. The event was convened under the guidance of DG & CEO Shri Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey, and aimed to foster discussions around emerging sustainability trends while charting a resilient corporate future.
The first session featured a welcome speech by Prof. Garima Dadhich, Associate Professor and Head of the School of Business Environment at IICA, who emphasized the growing importance of ESG leadership in corporate sustainability. Following her address, the Hon’ble Vice President of Infosys Limited shared insights about robust governance frameworks and their role in promoting green technology adoption. Additionally, a presentation by a Public Relations Associate from UNICEF focused on the social dimensions of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core.
A panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dadhich brought together distinguished NAIL members, including Mr. J P Dash from Batch I, Mr. Ashok Sethi and Mr. Sridhar L from Batch II, and Ms. Shalini Verma and Mr. Paritosh Chauhan from Batch III. The panel delved into regulatory transformations such as SEBI’s new norms and the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). A senior official from DDHS – PoD, SEBI, also provided insights into the evolving ESG rating landscape and the strategic adjustments needed for corporate compliance.
The event further highlighted the transformative potential of technology with a presentation from a Senior Expert in ESG Practice at KPMG India, who spoke about the integration of artificial intelligence in ESG data analytics and reporting. This was complemented by insights from Senior Experts at WRI India and CEEW-CEF, who addressed greenhouse gas accounting methodologies and the role of carbon markets in achieving a net-zero future.
Concluding the event, Prof. Garima Dadhich extended her gratitude to the speakers, participants, and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions, which led to a fruitful networking session focusing on sustainable finance and decarbonization strategies. IICA also announced the upcoming 3rd edition of the National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC), set for July 2nd and 3rd, 2025, with registrations opening in March 2025. The NAIL is positioned to be a premier platform for IICA Certified ESG Professionals, driving impactful leadership and meaningful change in corporate sustainability.
For more information on NAIL and the flagship programme for ESG in India, the IICA Certified ESG Professional Impact Leader Programme, please log in to https://iica.nic.in/esgcsr/.
