The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad organised a roundtable on “Climate Change and Sustainable Businesses” at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, bringing together government representatives, corporate leaders, CSR professionals and development-sector stakeholders to explore how climate action can translate into stronger enterprises, resilient livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.
Focus on Turning Climate Discussions into Action
The roundtable was held in the presence of Smt. Anita Shah Akella, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, who highlighted the need to view climate change not only as an environmental challenge but also as an issue closely connected with policy, business and implementation.
She stressed that sustainability must move beyond discussions and become an integral part of how businesses operate. The focus, therefore, needs to shift towards meaningful implementation, responsible business practices and policies that can translate climate commitments into measurable outcomes.
CSR and Collective Action for Climate Resilience
The discussion also featured Shri Bibhuti Ranjan Pradhan, Executive Director (Coordination & CSR), who emphasised the importance of collective action among government bodies, corporates, CSR partners, institutions and local communities.
He highlighted that building climate-resilient livelihoods requires practical interventions, capacity building, innovation and long-term partnerships. Sustainable enterprises, particularly at the grassroots level, can play an important role in helping communities adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions.
Building Businesses That Are Both Sustainable and Viable
The roundtable was driven by EDII Director General Dr. Sunil Shukla’s focus on strengthening climate-resilient enterprises and sustainable businesses amid growing environmental challenges.
The discussions recognised that sustainable businesses cannot focus solely on environmental responsibility. They also need to be economically viable, market-linked and capable of generating sustainable livelihoods.
Participants discussed how CSR interventions could contribute through entrepreneurship development, skill building, technology adoption, sustainable products, market linkages and enterprise support.
22 CSR Professionals Join the Discussion
A total of 22 CSR officials participated in the roundtable, bringing perspectives from across the CSR and development ecosystem. Their discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and identifying practical approaches to climate resilience, sustainable enterprise development and inclusive livelihoods.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue the dialogue and explore collaborative models that connect climate action with entrepreneurship, resilient livelihoods and inclusive economic development.
For EDII, the initiative reflects its wider focus on entrepreneurship education, capacity building, MSME development, startup incubation and inclusive enterprise creation. The institute works with government departments and corporates on projects aimed at creating new enterprises and expanding livelihood opportunities, aligning its efforts with the broader goal of building a more inclusive and sustainable Viksit Bharat.
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