Join Alexandra Bolton and Matthew Moss for an engaging discussion with Indian board director Shailesh Haribhakti. Shailesh shares his journey from a traditional accounting background to becoming a passionate advocate for achieving net-zero. He currently serves on several boards of large multinational and Indian companies, including e Chairman of L&T Finance Holdings Ltd. and L&T Mutual Fund, and Future Lifestyle Fashions Ltd.

This episode explores strategies to get the board on board with sustainability. Shailesh makes a compelling case for the need to highlight the economic imperative of sustainability, and tells us how integrated reporting, the audit committee, and an aspirational vision can be powerful tools to drive climate action. 

Key messages

• Making sustainability an economic imperative is key to gaining buy-in from the board to take climate action. By demonstrating how sustainability efforts can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency, companies are able to embrace climate initiatives.
• Audit committees are becoming central to ensuring transparent and honest climate-related reporting, which is essential to avoid greenwashing and to drive meaningful progress towards sustainability goals.
• Integrated reporting, which includes financial and non-financial capitals, is seen as the future of corporate reporting. It provides a forward-looking view that helps companies align their long-term strategies with sustainability objectives.

Directors’ Dialogues is hosted by the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Engagement as its content partner. Each episode takes a deep dive into the stewardship journey of board directors and climate experts. Whether you are new to the climate governance space or an accomplished steward, this podcast will bring you closer to true voices sharing their experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating climate action and integrating it into the boardroom conversation.