Comparative Analysis of Environmental Disclosure Practices of Indian Industries

IJEP 46(2): 184-192 : Vol. 46 Issue. 2 (February 2026)

Shalini Yadav, S.K. Gupta*, Mehul Raithatha and L. V. Ramana

Indian Institute of Management, Finance and Accounts Department, Indore – 453 556, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The world grapples with growing environmental problems and organizations play a critical role in addressing sustainability issues. The sustainable development goals (SDGs), which must be achieved by 2030, pose a challenge for businesses worldwide. Industries across different sectors are collaborating to accomplish these goals in line with the business responsibility and sustainable reporting (BRSR) guidelines. These guidelines are mandatory for industries to follow in order to stay competitive in the market. Investors and stakeholders are increasingly aware of environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives and it is crucial for them to understand the true picture of companies striving for societal welfare while maintaining competitiveness and dedication. In response to these global demands, regulatory bodies have started to mandate ESG reporting frameworks. This research paper focuses on the top 50 Indian corporations identified by the Nifty 50, using data from BRSR reports. The ranking algorithm analyzed this data. This study aims to help companies, stakeholders, investors, customers and the government gain an accurate understanding of the industry, its contributions and the gaps where efforts can be made to achieve the sustainability goals by 2030. It also encourages Indian industries performing effectively in their sectors to maintain sustainability and supports other competitors in adopting similar practices. Additionally, it can help them capture market share aligned with consumer and government interests.

Keywords

Business responsibility and sustainable reporting, Environmental, social and governance, Environment sustain-ability, Stakeholders

References

  1. Smith, A.S. 2023. An introduction to BRSR core. Achilles.
  2. United Nations. 2023. The comprehensive review 2025: Principles, criteria and timeline. In The sustainable development goals report 2025. Available at: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025 /The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2025.pdf.
  3. CDP. 2022. CDP climate change 2022 reporting guidance.
  4. Friede, G., Busch, T. and Bassen, A. 2015. ESG and financial performance: Aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies. J. Sustain. Finance Investment. 5(4): 210–233. DOI: 10.1080/20430795.2015.1118917.
  5. Qureshi, M.E., et al. 2012. Factors determining the economic value of groundwater. Hydrogeol. J., 20(5): 821–829. DOI: 10.1007/s10040-012-0867-x.
  6. Hubbard, G. 2009. Measuring organizational performance: beyond the triple bottom line. Business Strategy Env., 18(3): 177–191. DOI: 10.1002/bs e.564.
  7. Belal, A. R., S. M. Cooper and N.A. Khan. 2015. Corporate environmental responsibility and accountability: What chance in vulnerable Bangladesh? Critical Perspectives Accounting. 33: 44-58. DOI: 10.10 16/j.cpa.2015.01.005.
  8. Sarumpaet, S., M. L. Nelwan and D.N. Dewi. 2017. The value relevance of environmental performance: evidence from Indonesia. Social Responsibility J., 13(4): 817–827. DOI: 10.1108/ srj-01-2017-0003.
  9. Akhter, F., et al. 2022b. Environmental disclosures and corporate attributes, from the lens of legitimacy theory: A longitudinal analysis on a developing country. European J. Manage. Business Eco., 32(3): 342–369. DOI: 10.1108/ejmbe-01-2021-0008.
  10. Tilling, M. V. and C. A. Tilt. 2010. The edge of legitimacy: Voluntary social and environmental reporting in Rothmans’ 1956-1999 annual reports. Accounting Auditing Accountability J., 23(1): 55–81. DOI: 10.1108/09513571011010600.
  11. Buhr, N. 1998. Environmental performance, legislation and annual report disclosure: The case of acid rain and falcon bridge. Accounting, Auditing Accountability J., 11: 163-190. DOI: 10.1108/ 0951-3579810215455.
  12. Almaqtari, F.A., et al. 2023. The impact of corporate environmental disclosure practices and board attributes on sustainability: Empirical evidence from Asia and Europe. Heliyon. 9(8): e18453. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18453.
  13. Shukla, A. and N. Vyas. 2013. Environmental accounting and reporting in India (a comparative study of bharat Petroleum Company Limited and Oil and Natural Gas Company Limited). Pacific Business Review Int., 5(7): 16-23.
  14. Jessop, A., et al. 2019. Corporate environmental disclosure in India: An analysis of multinational and domestic agrochemical corporations. Sustain., 11(18): 4843. DOI: 10.3390/su1118-4843.
  15. KPMG. 2022. Global survey of sustainability reporting 2022: Global insights for business leaders, company boards and sustainability professionals. Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), United Kingdom.
  16. Clarkson, P. M., et al. 2013. The relevance of environmental disclosures: Are such disclosures incrementally informative? J. Accounting Public Policy. 32(5): 410–431. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccpub -pol.2013. 06.008.
  17. Alessi, L., E. Ossola and R. Panzica. 2021. What greenium matters in the stock market? The role of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental disclosures. J. Financial Stability. 54: 100869. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfs.2021.100869.
  18. Kumar, K., R. Kumari and R. Kumar. 2021. The state of corporate sustainability reporting in India: Evidence from environmentally sensitive industries. Business Soc. Review. 126(4): 513–538. DOI: 10.1 111/basr.12247.
  19. Gupta, S. K. 2019. Environmental disclosure practices: A study on BSE-Sensex companies in India. Kaleidoscope. pp 16-18.
  20. Charumathi, B. and Rahman, H. 2019. Do women on boards influence climate change disclosures to CDP? Evidence from large Indian companies. Australasian Accounting Business Finance J., 13(2): 5–31. DOI: 10.14453/aabfj.v13i2.2.
  21. Ganapathy, E. and K.C. Kabra. 2017. The impact of corporate governance attributes on environmental disclosures: Evidence from India. Indian J. Corporate Governance. 10(1): 24–43.
  22. Mishra, B. and Sharma, A. 2023. An analysis of business responsibility and sustainability report of selected Indian companies. Sachetas. 2(2): 1–14. DOI: 10.55955/220001.
  23. Balakrishnan, C. and H. Rahman. 2019. Do women on boards influence climate change disclosures to CDP? Evidence from large Indian companies. Australasian Accounting, Business Finance J., 13(2): 5–31. DOI: 10.14453/aabfj.v13i2.2.
  24. Mishra, B. and A. Sharma. 2023. An analysis of BRSR reports of selected Indian companies. Sachetas. 2(2): 1-14. DOI: 10.55955/220001.