Sustainability Focus: June 2025
- Admin
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
View the complete June 2025 Newsletter
June 2025 in Focus: A pivotal month for climate action in India and globally. From India’s SDG progress and new carbon trading reforms to major clean energy investments and global shifts in ESG accountability, sustainability efforts are gaining both speed and scrutiny.
Key Updates: India
India’s 2025 SDG National Indicator Framework Report showcases encouraging progress across multiple development goals. Here are a few key points:
Poverty reduced from ~25% (2015–16) to ~15% (2019–21)
Social protection coverage expanded to 64.3% of population
Renewable energy share in electricity rose to 22%
Waste processing efficiency improved from ~18% to over 80%
Agricultural productivity (GVA per worker) increased significantly
Forest cover showed marginal growth
Income inequality declined across rural and urban areas
Challenges remain in urban sanitation, energy access, and data gaps across some SDG indicators
Despite these achievements, challenges persist in areas like clean energy access, urban sanitation, and comprehensive data reporting—highlighting the need for targeted policy action and better monitoring to close remaining gaps.(Business Standard)
India is advancing its climate strategy through a rate-based Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), shifting toward sector-specific GHG intensity benchmarks by FY 2025–27. This evolution is designed to incentivize cleaner production across industries while ensuring measurable decarbonization. Simultaneously, India's voluntary carbon market is projected to handle 250 million credits by 2030. However, market challenges persist—especially around standardization, transparency, and fraud—highlighting the need for robust oversight and credible verification mechanisms. (DD India)
HPCL has announced a major ₹20 billion (approximately US $231 million) investment to develop 24 compressed biogas (CBG) plants over the next two to three years. This move aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals, particularly in promoting waste-to-energy solutions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative is designed to tap into agricultural and organic waste streams, converting them into clean fuel, while also creating local employment and reducing methane emissions—thereby contributing to both circular economy practices and India’s climate targets. (ESG News)
Key Updates: Global
Corporate ESG strategies are facing a reality check, with ex-HSBC Chairman Douglas Flint warning that “ridiculously extravagant” sustainability claims by financial firms could lead to legal and reputational fallout. The statement comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and public skepticism around greenwashing. As a result, Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) are re-calibrating their approach—prioritizing risk resilience, financial alignment, and measurable outcomes over broad, often vague, net-zero declarations. This shift marks a maturing of ESG from marketing-led narratives to performance-driven, accountable frameworks. (The Guardian)
In a landmark move, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced its biggest funding round to date—committing US $1.2 billion for 17 climate action projects worldwide. Of this, $200 million is earmarked for India, aimed at scaling renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency improvements across sectors. The funding aligns with India’s national climate strategy and will support both mitigation and adaptation goals. This disbursement signals increasing global momentum toward climate finance, especially for developing countries seeking sustainable development through clean energy and resilient infrastructure. (Reuters)
A new international coalition—led by the UK, Kenya, Singapore, France, and Panama—has been formed to set clear and credible corporate standards for purchasing carbon credits. This move addresses widespread concerns about the integrity and transparency of the voluntary carbon market, which has suffered from greenwashing and inconsistent practices. By defining best practices and restoring trust, the coalition hopes to significantly increase corporate demand for high-quality credits in the lead-up to COP30, supporting global decarbonization goals through more accountable and impactful climate finance mechanisms. (Reuters)
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