Investor expectations are growing for Sustainability

In this video, Rishi Sher Singh, founder of World of Gears, outlines the strengthening sustainability requirements investors are demanding from Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs and MSMEs). He highlights the growing expectation for companies to adopt international standards like the IFC Performance Standards and the UN Guiding Principles, which includes conducting human rights due diligence. Key demands include implementing comprehensive gender equality programs that promote women's growth at all levels, establishing systematic worker grievance mechanisms, and creating cross-functional sustainability teams with clear accountability to management, rather than relying on a single individual.