Shreyas Sonawane, PGP/27/049, Section-A

Learning Note

This course helped me understand intersection of sustainability with business practices. This
course challenged us to engage critically with the concept of sustainability and its
complexities. One of the key takeaway is the interconnectedness of economic development,
environmental well-being, and social equity. Liked delving into the concept of corporate
sustainability by examining the rationale behind placing responsibility on businesses for
environmental and social well-being, alongside profit generation. In project our group
critically analyzed the initiatives, achievements and challenges companies face in
operationalizing CS strategies, including greenwashing and navigating the trade-offs
inherent in the "People, Planet, Profits" framework. This course exposed me to various
frameworks and practices used by businesses to implement CS, such as the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) and materiality matrices. We also explored the evolving role of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its relationship to CS. One of the valuable aspect
of the course was examining the real-world challenges of implementing sustainable
practices.

Overall, this course encouraged me to develop a holistic perspective on how businesses can
contribute to a sustainable future. I was challenged to think critically about the role of
corporations and how they can move beyond mere conformance to regulations. Also the
emphasis on project and simulation allowed me to delve deeper into specific aspects of
sustainability in a business context.

This course has equipped me to:

• Analyze the complexities of sustainability and its multifaceted challenges.

• Critically evaluate the role of businesses in achieving sustainability.
• Understand frameworks and practices used to implement corporate sustainability.
• Identify challenges faced by companies in operationalizing sustainability goals.
• Develop a more nuanced understanding of the evolving concept of CSR.

Moving forward, I am eager to apply this knowledge to critically assess business practices
and advocate for a future where corporate sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a driving
force for positive societal and environmental impact.