Global ESG Summit & 4th Prithvi Awards 2026 Concludes with a Powerful Call to Action: Moving "From Compliance to Conscience" for Net Zero India
The 4th Global ESG Conference at Bharat Mandapam calls for a shift from compliance to conscience to achieve India's Net Zero goals.
The 4th Global ESG Conference and Prithvi Awards 2026 reached a historic conclusion at the iconic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit, which serves as a landmark event in India's pursuit of sustainable economic growth and Net Zero targets, brought together a massive assembly of global experts, policymakers, corporate executives, and bureaucrats.
Organized by the ESG Research Foundation (ERF)—a non-profit initiative established by CA. (Dr.) Atul Kumar Gupta—and supported by BNW Developments, Dubai, the event functioned as a premier platform for discussing the future of global sustainability. The summit focused on critical themes including climate finance, circular economies, and the role of artificial intelligence in carbon accounting.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Regulatory Burden to Core Value
Throughout five high-impact technical sessions, the summit emphasized a fundamental shift in how sustainability is approached. The overarching message was that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards must move beyond "tick-box" compliance to become a core driver of institutional credibility.
Key areas of deliberation included:
- Governance Beyond Compliance: Experts discussed the need for deep institutional integrity regarding frameworks like BRSR, CBAM, and CSDDD, treating sustainability as a vital risk-management tool.
- Green Transition Opportunities: Discussions explored pathways to unlock value through carbon markets, green hydrogen, and technological collaborations between India and Europe.
- Mobilizing Green Capital: Financial experts mapped out strategies for building investable sustainable portfolios and accessing international climate funds.
- The AI Revolution: Panels highlighted how artificial intelligence and advanced water accounting are transforming environmental transparency and audit-ready reporting.
- Startup Innovation: Investors highlighted the potential for green technology startups to scale sustainable solutions across the Indian landscape.
Honoring the Guardians of Sustainability
The summit culminated in the prestigious 4th Prithvi Awards 2026. This ceremony recognized visionary leaders, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), corporate entities, NGOs, startups, and government departments for their outstanding contributions to social equity and environmental stewardship.
The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Government of India. In his address, the Minister lauded the ESG Research Foundation for acting as a catalyst for national change, noting that legal, economic, and moral responsibilities must align to safeguard the planet for future generations.
The event also featured several distinguished guests, including:
- Shri Rohit Rishi, Managing Director, IIFCL
- Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, Board Member, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- CA. Deepak K. Kedia, Inspector General (IG), National Security Guard (NSG)
- Dr. (CA) Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman & Founder, BNW Developments, Dubai
International perspectives were provided by eminent figures such as Dr. Justice Vineet Kothari, CA. Krishna Prasad Dahal (UK), Mr. Surendra Patawari (Belgium), and Dr. Deepak Jain (President, FII).
A Moral Imperative for Corporate India
Delivering the keynote address, CA. (Dr.) Atul Kumar Gupta, Founder Director of ERF and Past President of ICAI (2020–21), delivered a stirring message to the global community. He argued that sustainability has evolved from a mere corporate choice or an annual reporting exercise into a profound socio-economic duty.
"True change will not come solely through legislation, but through a collective shift in human consciousness. As custodians of capital, governance, and resources, our generation holds the unique responsibility to decouple economic prosperity from planetary degradation."
Dr. Gupta urged businesses to move toward a culture where profit is no longer measured in isolation, but is deeply integrated with the well-being of the planet and society.