ESG Adoption and Corporate Sustainability Outcomes in India: An Overview of Environmental, Social and Governance Performance under the BRSR Compliance Framework

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22660535

Reetu Duhan (Independent Researcher, Commerce, Rohtak, Haryana)

This comprehensive literature review explores Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), which has gained considerable importance framework for promoting responsible business practices, long term create value, and corporate sustainability. In Indian society, the increasing emphasis on ESG has been accompanied by the development of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, which seeks to strengthen the transparency, consistency, and accountability of corporate sustainability disclosures. This provides a conceptual review of ESG adoption and its potential implications for corporate sustainability outcomes in the Indian context, with particular emphasis on the BRSR compliance framework. The review examines the evolving relationship between the three dimensions of ESG environmental, social, and governance and broader dimensions of corporate sustainability. It also considers the impact of BRSR in structuring ESG disclosures, improving stakeholder and shareholder accountability, and encouraging organizations to integrate sustainability considerations into their business practices. Particular attention is given to the distinction between ESG disclosure, ESG performance, and actual sustainability outcomes, as compliance with reporting requirements may not necessarily reflect substantive improvements in corporate sustainability. The review further develops a conceptual framework linking ESG adoption, BRSR-based disclosure, ESG performance, and corporate sustainability outcomes. By collecting these dimensions, the paper seeks to provide a wholesome perspective for understanding the evolving ESG landscape in India and to identify areas requiring greater conceptual and academic attention. The review provides a foundation for future research on the effectiveness of BRSR in translating ESG commitments and disclosures into measurable sustainability outcomes.