Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA),  organised a workshop on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) in collaboration with UNICEF and National Stock Exchange  at the NSE premises in Mumbai on September 12, 2023. The workshop was attended by above 50 Sustainability, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) and BHR (Business Human Rights) professionals from key corporate houses.

The workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the BRSR framework, which is based on the nine principles of the National Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC). The BRSR framework is a mandatory disclosure mechanism for top 1000 listed companies or businesses to report their performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects and demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices. The workshop also covered various topics such as CSR & ESG as tools for establishing responsible brands, effective BRSR disclosures, digital tools, IT portal/software for BRSR and the application of family-friendly policies in business. The workshop enabled the participants to enhance their knowledge and skills in BRSR and its implementation.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Harish Ahuja, SVP & Head PSD - Power & Carbon Markets, Investor Awareness, NSE, who shared his perspective on the importance of BRSR for investors and stakeholders. He highlighted the role of ESG factors in enhancing the value and reputation of businesses and reducing the risks associated with non-compliance and negative externalities. The workshop was facilitated by eminent experts from UNICEF, StepChange and IICA, a leading institute in the field of ESG, CSR, BHR, and corporate sustainability. The renowned faculty and expert speakers included Prof. Garima Dadhich, Associate Professor & Head, SoBE, IICA; Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Former Group General Counsel, Aditya Birla Group; Mr. Ankit Jain, CEO, StepChange; Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey, CPE, SoBE, IICA, and Mr. Shubhrajyoti Bhowmik, Partnership Officer – Private & Public Sector Engagements, UNICEF.

The workshop concluded with an interactive learning recap, peer networking way forward and open house session. The workshop received an overwhelming response from the participants, who appreciated the quality and relevance of the content and delivery. The workshop was part of the ongoing collaboration between IICA and UNICEF  to promote responsible business conduct among corporates and relevant stakeholders in India. More workshops on BRSR in different cities across India are scheduled such as Indore (20 Sept.), Delhi (26 Sept.), and Bengaluru (29 Sept.).

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting mandates ESG disclosures by top listed companies; workshop advanced implementation and digital reporting tools. The BRSR framework is a mandatory ESG disclosure regime requiring the largest listed companies to report performance under the nine principles of the National Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct; it serves as a compliance, transparency and investor information mechanism. A collaborative IICA-UNICEF workshop focused on practical implementation: effective disclosures, digital reporting tools and portals, integrating CSR/ESG into brand and risk management, and operational policies such as family friendly measures to enable consistent BRSR compliance.