At the World Green Economy Summit 2025, Sandeep Chandna, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tech Mahindra, is set to deliver a critical message focused on integrating sustainability into the core of business strategy rather than treating it as an ancillary effort. This summit signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing transition towards green economics, as organizations grapple with the increasingly urgent demand for sustainable practices.
The Shift from Compliance to Strategy
Chandna emphasizes that sustainability has evolved beyond a compliance checkbox into a strategic imperative that fuels innovation and drives resilience. Many businesses still approach Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks as mere public relations exercises, but the reality is that sustainability is becoming a fundamental operating system for today’s enterprises. Companies that ignore this trend may jeopardize their long-term viability.
Tech Mahindra’s initiatives illustrate this shift, highlighting that sustainability can drive profitability and innovation simultaneously. By adopting technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and renewable energy sources, the company is demonstrating how sustainability can create both environmental benefits and business value. For organizations still in the mindset of treating ESG as ancillary, the message is clear: embrace sustainability as a core strategy, or risk being left behind.
Tech Mahindra’s Leadership in Sustainability
Being the first Indian recipient of the Terra Carta Seal from King Charles III, Tech Mahindra stands out as a leader in global sustainability efforts. This recognition not only affirms the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices but also enhances its voice in international discussions about climate-conscious innovation. The Terra Carta Seal serves as a reminder that credible and actionable transition strategies are essential for companies aiming to take a leading role in sustainability.
In addition to policy compliance, Tech Mahindra has showcased measurable impacts through concrete actions such as achieving a 31% renewable energy mix in its operations and having a zero-waste-to-landfill certification at key locations. These initiatives reflect a robust commitment to environmental sustainability and stakeholder trust.
Embedding Sustainability in Business Practices
Tech Mahindra’s approach involves weaving sustainability into the fabric of its business model. The company has significantly reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and implemented effective procurement practices aligned with ESG mandates. The firm’s internal carbon pricing mechanism, set at $12 per ton, underscores its serious commitment to embedding climate considerations into financial decision-making. By assigning a financial value to carbon emissions, the company actively incentivizes lower-carbon alternatives in its operations.
The emphasis on innovation does not stop at business practices. Tech Mahindra is pushing the envelope with its i.GreenFinance platform, which aims to facilitate sustainable lending in the financial sector. This AI-driven platform enables financial institutions to incorporate sustainability into their lending processes by automating ESG scoring, tailoring assessment criteria to specific sectors, and ensuring that loan proceeds support sustainable projects.
Integrating Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) play a crucial role in accelerating sustainability transformations. With tools like i.GreenFinance, financial institutions can undertake smart decision-making that supports environmental goals. Moreover, AI and IoT technologies can optimize resource management and enable real-time monitoring of operational efficiencies, making sustainability measurable and actionable.
These advanced tools help organizations monitor emissions, optimize energy usage, and reduce waste. The ability to forecast sustainability outcomes through data-driven insights sets businesses on a path to not just comply with regulations but to innovate solutions to complex challenges.
Nature-Related Financial Disclosures
Chandna highlighted Tech Mahindra’s integration of nature-related risks into corporate strategy through its alignment with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). This proactive approach positions the company to evaluate its reliance on biodiversity and ecosystem services in operational planning and investment decisions. The commitment to developing nature-positive key performance indicators (KPIs) emphasizes that sustainability is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
A Legacy of Positive Change
In summary, the mission set forth by Sandeep Chandna and Tech Mahindra at the World Green Economy Summit 2025 is clear: sustainability should be at the core of business overall strategy. Their approach illustrates that sustainable practices can yield substantial benefits while equipping organizations to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Tech Mahindra aspires to leave a legacy that inspires other companies to view sustainability as a source of competitive advantage and trust-building. With a focus on technology, policy, and a culture of continuous improvement, the company aims to set an example for the industry that fosters long-term value for both businesses and the planet.
The call to action from the summit will resonate globally, urging organizations to rethink their strategies for a sustainable future. Awareness and commitment to sustainability may very well define who the business leaders of tomorrow will be, and those who act decisively today may emerge as champions in the green economy of the future.
