Welcome to the full Episode 1 of Sustainability Karma, India’s first and only talk show on sustainability on All India Radio.

In this episode of Sustainability Karma, Dipali Goenka, CEO and MD, Welspun India, talks about the importance of the industry to pursue green growth and how her company is actively incorporating sustainability across its business operations, positioning itself as a beacon for the textile industry.

Given the significant environmental impact of textiles, Ms Goenka emphasises that sustainability is a critical aspect of the company’s approach. Acknowledging the textile industry’s role as a major polluter, Ms Goenka says that the company is committed to leading by example. The company recognises the need for leaders to set the bar for sustainable practices in the industry communicated through storytelling. Welspun has developed case studies across seven countries to showcase its sustainability efforts, fostering accountability and transparency.

Talking about the textile industry’s response to pollution challenges, Ms Goenka gives examples of Welspun’s initiatives from working with farmers for better cotton production to incorporating in its operations blockchain for traceability and actively participating in sustainability indexes.

Referring to Welspun’s strategies, policies, and focus areas, particularly in relation to its workforce, including women, she says that the company’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles is evident in its laying down the roadmap until 2030, emphasising accountability and reporting to the board.

While highlights India’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in key areas such as poverty, hunger, health, sanitation, and climate action, Ms Goenka also hopes that other challenges too would be overcome.

As India gears up to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitments, including achieving net-zero targets by 2070, she says that Welspun has plans to embrace green energy and aims to be powered by 300 MW of green energy by 2027, aligning with national goals and contributing to a cleaner energy landscape.

Ms Goenka emphasises on prioritising green development, gender equality, fostering innovation, and investing in education and skill development through collaborative efforts between the corporate sector, government, civil society, and international to achieve shared sustainability goals.