Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, presided over the fourth meeting of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Task Force, reaffirming the government’s commitment to integrating sustainable and responsible business practices within the Indian textile and apparel industry.
The meeting, attended by senior officials, industry leaders, sustainability experts, and representatives from stakeholder ministries, aimed to evaluate the progress made since the last ESG Task Force session and to chart the path forward for promoting green, ethical, and inclusive growth in the textiles sector.
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
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Review of ESG Framework Implementation:
The task force reviewed the implementation status of ESG guidelines across textile clusters and manufacturing units. Special attention was given to wastewater management, carbon footprint reduction, and fair labor practices in the textile value chain. -
Industry Collaboration and Best Practices:
Industry bodies such as CITI, AEPC, and TEXPROCIL shared updates on initiatives promoting circular economy, use of eco-friendly raw materials, and recycling technologies. Several model units were highlighted for successfully adopting ESG-aligned processes. -
ESG Reporting and Data Standardization:
Discussions focused on building a uniform reporting mechanism for ESG performance indicators. The Ministry plans to collaborate with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and SEBI to create sector-specific ESG metrics aligned with national and global standards. -
Skill Development and Capacity Building:
The task force explored ways to train textile workers and MSMEs in ESG compliance through skill development programs under Samarth Scheme and partnerships with training institutes. -
Incentivizing Sustainability:
Proposals were made to provide financial incentives, green certifications, and preferential public procurement policies to encourage wider ESG adoption, particularly among small and medium textile enterprises.
Secretary’s Remarks
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao emphasized the urgency of mainstreaming ESG principles across the entire textile ecosystem. She said:
“The future of India’s textile sector must be environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, and governed by high ethical standards. Our global competitiveness and export readiness depend not only on cost but also on our commitment to responsible manufacturing.”
She also highlighted India’s ambitions to become a global hub for sustainable textiles, leveraging traditional strengths in natural fibers and artisanal crafts while aligning with international expectations of ESG compliance.
Path Forward
The meeting concluded with a consensus on fast-tracking the ESG roadmap with timelines, pilot initiatives, and public-private partnerships. A technical sub-group was set up to finalize ESG benchmarks and monitoring tools tailored for the Indian textile context.
The next meeting is expected to focus on ESG impact measurement models and alignment with India’s net-zero commitments and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
