The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries in association with International institute of CSR and sustainability organized a workshop on Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) to create an awareness of important investing aspects of ESG. Minister for Environment, PWD & Law & Judiciary Shri. Nilesh Cabral was the chief guest with GSPCB Chairman Shri. Mahesh Patil and GCCI Vice President Ms. Pratima Dhond as the guest of Honour.
Minister Shri. Cabral stressed on all the three Pillars of ESG, Environment, Social and Corporate Governance citing the example of plastic waste. The State Government has been implementing various measures to control plastic waste but the result is not encouraging. Last 14 years he has been collecting waste in his constituency free of cost, he said but the crux comes from managing and processing it. Goa may be generating a lot of waste but when it comes to managing and treatment we are far ahead of other states, he added.
He said, to further control plastic waste, the Govt. of Goa will shortly come up with a legislation of “Deposit Refundable scheme”. All Plastic containers like water bottles, Pouches, satchels, bags etc will be charged a deposit which will be refundable on return of the empty packet. The maximum environmental damage is caused by very small packets which are the most difficult to gather. Government is working to control the same. He congratulated the participants on the excellent ESG presentation made on key sectors like Real Estate, Dairy, Palm Oil, Oil and gas and menstrual Hygiene. Deliberations were held on the Oil Spillage which affects the Goan Coasts.
The event also had presentations from Masters in ESG participants on integration of ESG in business in the industry sectors such as Oil and gas spillage, menstrual hygiene, palm oil product dairy foods and others. Ms. Harsha Saxena, Founder IICSR group and Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General of GCCI were also present and shared their views on ESG. The occasion marked the certificate award ceremony for all the graduates of IICSR students studying CSR, sustainability and ESG.