On World Environment Day, the latest edition of the BRSR Barometer has sounded an alarm on the state of corporate sustainability in India. Despite modest progress, the report reveals that Indian companies are falling short on critical sustainability metrics, particularly in renewable energy adoption and value chain emissions reporting.
Jointly released by ECube, StepChange, and EarthInherited, the BRSR Barometer 2025 analyses data from over 800 listed Indian companies across 12 sectors, collectively generating over ₹8 trillion in annual revenue. The findings are expected to influence regulatory development and the report has been presented to SEBI Executive Director Pramod Rao.
According to Ankit Jain, Co-founder and CEO of StepChange, the Barometer “highlights critical data and performance gaps that are vital if we are to mobilise the trillions of rupees needed for the nation’s net-zero transition”. Harish HV, Founder and MD of ECube, added that the report serves as a “mirror” for India Inc’s evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosures, enabling firms to benchmark themselves against peers.
Key Findings:
📌 Scope 3 emissions largely undisclosed: Fewer than 25% of companies, on a median sector basis, quantify their indirect emissions (Scope 3), despite upcoming mandates on value-chain reporting.
📌 Limited renewable energy uptake: Median renewable energy use across sectors remains below 10%, indicating slow progress on green energy transition. The pharmaceutical sector stands out with 92% renewable adoption.
📌 Growing water and waste pressures: High-risk sectors such as Textiles (407 kilolitres per crore revenue) and Chemicals face increasing stress from water usage and hazardous waste generation.
📌 Inadequate social reporting: While female workforce participation has edged up in sectors such as light manufacturing (23%), broader social indicators such as health and safety reporting, training, and grievance redressal remain insufficiently covered.
The BRSR Barometer is positioned as a strategic tool for companies, investors, and policymakers. By benchmarking ESG performance and identifying disclosure gaps, it enables Indian businesses to move beyond compliance and towards a competitive sustainability advantage.
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The full BRSR Barometer report is available for download via the StepChange and EarthInherited websites.
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