The textile industry stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with a surge in sustainability mandates from global markets like the European Union, alongside evolving national regulations.
Responding to this challenge, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has launched its first-ever Management Development Programme on Environmental, Social, and Governance (MDP-ESG). This initiative aims to equip industry managers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex landscape of ESG compliance.
Held at the Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA) in Mumbai, the three-day programme became a nexus for dynamic discussions, innovative ideas, and strategic insights. Industry leaders, academics, and experts came together to dissect the pressing ESG challenges facing the textile sector, covering topics from sustainability reporting to circular economy practices.
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The programme commenced with an opening address by CITI’s Secretary General, Ms Chandrima Chatterjee, setting the stage for an event that promises to shape the future of the industry. Her sentiments were echoed by other prominent figures, including Shri Sunil Patwari, Chairman of TEXPROCIL, and Dr Siddhartha Rajagopalan, Executive Director of TEXPROCIL, who offered their perspectives on how the industry can adapt to these new sustainability demands.
The heart of the programme lay in its technical sessions, which delved into the complexities of ESG integration. On the first day, participants explored environmental sustainability under the guidance of experts such as Ms Bharti Birla from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and representatives from RRMA and IIM Mumbai. These sessions tackled crucial issues including sustainable water management, chemical compliance, and life cycle assessment, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how to minimise the industry’s environmental footprint.
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Day two featured advanced discussions led by Mukesh Garg from Monash University, who compared ESG practices between India and Australia. Sessions on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and sustainability governance underscored the growing importance of designing products with their entire lifecycle in mind—a requirement set to become mandatory in the EU by 2025.
The final day focused on human rights and international standards, with experts from Partners in Change, Pradeep Narayanan and Jhumki Dutta, leading sessions on the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) and Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR). Participants engaged in hands-on group activities, mapping factory environments and assessing social risks, highlighting the critical need for a thorough integration of human rights into industry practices.
This pioneering initiative by CITI demonstrates the Indian textile industry's proactive stance in aligning with global ESG standards, ensuring that it remains competitive and responsible in an increasingly regulated market.
