Sustainable Boardrooms : Democratising Governance and Technology for Society and Economy

This book discusses various interactions in the sustainability and development sector. It presents a thematic approach to describe progressive models and cases on disruptions, innovations, regulatory and institutional evolution related to the area of sustainability, through an organizational and boardroom level governance lens. It documents how certain schools of thought, models of engagement and methods-platforms-practices impact society and while doing so, brings together varying theoretical debates, practicing models and instruments of transformation in green governance. Sustainable policy making demands a whole of government approach in decision-making processes. Further, inclusiveness and ‘green’ consciousness of corporate boardrooms are paramount, without which, effective socially responsible business practices are absurd. Human resource development, shaped on sustainable corporate ethics, requires well-trained sustainability specialists, managers that can think ‘green’ in their overall decision making which are essential for green governance. In this context, the book creates a functional, interpretive repertoire of stories, commentaries, life experiences, and reflections of corporate leaders, academics, and practicing consultants, on their decision-making processes, and how they interpret sustainability. These stories and thoughts help create a functional academic construct, which will assist academics teach ‘green’ competencies to business school students better, and entrepreneurs and business executives to better understand the idea of sustainable growth. Foreword Preface Introduction Expert Talks-I: The Challenge of Sustainability to Business Leadership Expert Talks-II: Sustainable Culture: The Edifice of Corporate Sustainability Expert Talks-III: SMEs and the Future Praise for Sustainable Boardrooms Contents Editors and Contributors 1 Environment, Social and Governance Norms: Assessing the Need for Shifting Focus from Corporate Governance to Sustainable Corporate Governance 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Defining Sustainable Business: Removing the Discrepancies 1.2.1 Is Corporate Social Responsibility Same as Sustainable Development? 1.2.2 How to Construe a Sustainable Business? 1.3 Environment, Social and Governance Norms—The New Frontier of Corporate Governance: Analysing the Regulatory Perspective 1.4 ESG Regulation Norms: An European Perspective 1.5 Assessing the Indian Regulatory Regime Vis-À-Vis ESG Norms 1.6 Challenges and Roadblocks Vis-À-Vis Implementation of ESG Norms 1.6.1 Diversity in Rating Methodologies and Conflicting ESG Scores 1.6.2 Moral Hazards of ESG Reporting 1.7 Conclusion References 2 An Overview of ESG Reporting in India: Practices and Challenges 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Changing Conceptions of Corporate Sustainability and ESG 2.3 Evolution of ESG in India: The Road from Voluntary Disclosures to a Compliance Mandate 2.4 BRSR Framework: Future of ESG Reporting in India 2.5 ESG Reporting: Opportunities and Challenges 2.6 Conclusion References 3 Green Human Resource Management—A Gendered Approach to Sustainability Through Women Employment 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Concept of Green HRM 3.3 Women and Green Economy 3.4 Few Initiatives Through ‘Green’ HRM Practices to Increase Participation of Women in Workforce 3.5 Post-pandemic Era: Green HRM and Women Employment—A Way Forward 3.6 Conclusion References 4 Reflections on a Green Economy with Reference to Green Skills for Green Jobs 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Green Growth, Green Economy, Green Jobs, and Green Skills 4.3 Intergovernmental Organisations’ Policy Initiatives 4.4 Conclusion References 5 Decentralizing Climate Action In India—Lessons From Global Practices 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Urban Poor and Climate Change 5.3 Global Solutions For Resilient Cities 5.4 Global Social Engagement Practices For Climate Change Adaptability 5.5 The Way Forward For Participatory Climate Resilience Action In India 5.6 Conclusion References 6 Leverage AI in Green Governance: Potential For A Climate Reversal 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Industrial Revolutions and the Consequent Climate Alterations 6.3 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): Worldwide Scenarios 6.4 AI as a Change Vector Tool To Tackle Climate Change in Industry 4.0 6.5 Conclusion References 7 Traditional Knowledge, Sustainability, and International Intellectual Property Law: Biopiracy in Patent-Intensive Industries 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Unsustainable Business Practices Among Patent-Intensive Industries 7.3 The Incompatibility of TK-GRAATK and Western IIP 7.4 Globalization of the Western Commercial Agenda Through IIP 7.5 Analysis of the Text Used in the WIPO IGC Draft Articles 7.6 Conclusion References 8 Social Credits, Recognition, and Tax Benefits for Green Business Growth: Companies Demonstrating Greater Green Governance and Their Social Stand 8.1 Introduction 8.2 How Do Sustainable Practices Affect the Financial Performance of a Corporate Firm? 8.3 Features of Taxation Regime for Fulfilment of SDGs 8.4 Approach of Corporates Towards SDGs and Tax 8.5 A Peek into Vodafone’s Contribution 8.6 The Reciprocal Relationship Between Taxation and Corporate Image Building 8.7 Conclusion References 9 Green Dispute Resolution: A Sustainable Way of Resolving Disputes 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Online Dispute Resolution: Time for Action 9.3 Sustainable Dispute Resolution 9.4 Mediation: The Way Forward 9.5 Green Arbitration 9.6 Lawyer’s Role in Sustainable Dispute Resolution 9.7 Conclusion References