Every year on June 5, the conversation around climate action gets louder for exactly one day. This year, leaders across industries used World Environment Day to say something beyond the usual pledges — talking about what their organisations are actually doing, what's still not working, and what needs to change. Here is what some of them had to say.

Here is what those building India's sustainable future are saying this World Environment Day.

Mukesh Arora, Head of ESG, SAEL Industries Limited
The signs of a changing climate are a clear reminder that the environment is connected to the choices we make every day. Heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and rising environmental stress are no longer distant concerns or occasional disruptions. They are part of a new reality that calls for urgent, consistent, and collective action.

Sustainability can no longer remain a statement of intent. It must be reflected in the way we consume, conserve, and use resources. Across industries, there is a visible shift in how businesses are approaching sustainability, placing it at the centre of decision-making and linking it closely with risk management, capital allocation, and long-term value creation.

This World Environment Day, as part of our efforts to encourage environmentally conscious action, we are focusing on simple yet meaningful initiatives. These include a clothing donation drive to promote reuse over waste, encouraging employees to plant trees at home and in their communities, and conducting awareness sessions on sustainable ways of living and climate mitigation practices. 

The future calls for a broader rethinking of progress, one where economic growth and environmental responsibility move together. The focus must remain on building systems that support long-term sustainability. True resilience will be defined by how effectively we align today’s decisions with our responsibility towards the environment and future generations.

Priyanka Ahluwalia, Cluster General Manager, Holiday Inn Express, said, "World Environment Day is a reminder that sustainability is not a once-a-year conversation but a commitment that must shape the way we operate every day. As hoteliers, we have a unique opportunity to create a positive impact through the choices we make, from conserving resources and reducing waste to fostering greater awareness among our guests and team members. Today travelers are increasingly mindful of their environmental footprint and expect the brands they engage with to share those values. At Holiday Inn Express, we believe that meaningful change comes from consistent action. By embedding sustainable practices into our daily operations, we aim to minimize our environmental impact while continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Sustainability is not just about protecting the planet; it is about building long-term value for our communities, our guests and future generations. This World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to continuous improvement and collective action.”

Tarun Jain, Co-Founder, of LetzRyds, said, “Sustainability has moved from the sidelines to the centre of business discussions. The biggest shift is that sustainability is no longer being treated as a standalone initiative; it is increasingly becoming part of how businesses think about efficiency, resilience, and long-term growth. More than 70% of business leaders globally say climate change will significantly impact their company's strategy and operations in the coming years. Companies are beginning to recognise that reducing environmental impact often goes hand in hand with improving resource utilisation and operational performance.

He further highlighted that, "There is also greater focus on measurable outcomes, with businesses looking at practical ways to optimise energy use, reduce waste, improve asset utilisation, and build more efficient systems. Climate challenges are already affecting infrastructure, supply chains, operations, and urban ecosystems. Businesses must embed resilience into the way they operate by applying technology and data to become more efficient, better manage resource consumption, limit waste and increase adaptability in the face of disruptions."

Pulkit Khurana, Co-founder & CEO, Battery Smart said, "World Environment Day is a reminder that building a greener future requires both cleaner technologies and smarter energy infrastructure. At Battery Smart, we are enabling this transition by making electric mobility more accessible, affordable, and inclusive through innovative battery solutions.

As EV adoption continues to accelerate across India, the role of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Our network has powered more than 3.6 billion emission-free kilometres and helped avoid over 260,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions till date, demonstrating the impact that sustainable innovation can create at scale. Every electric kilometre travelled brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come."

These statements indicate that sustainability is not being considered anymore as an initiative or marketing effort. On the contrary, the emphasis has now been placed on how it can be integrated within operational practices, business models, and decision-making processes. This is seen across all industries as corporations are now more concerned with implementation than mere intent.

In this context, there has been a shift in conversation to talk about scale—whether existing initiatives have enough substance to withstand the impact of climate change and whether businesses can achieve the necessary trade-offs between costs and infrastructure constraints.