Mindspace Business Parks REIT Receives Nine ‘Sword of Honour Awards’ By British Safety Council

* Recognized for commitment to Occupational Health & Safety, aligned with international benchmarks.

Mindspace Business Parks REIT (BSE: 543217 | NSE: MINDSPACE) (‘Mindspace REIT’), owner and developer of quality Grade A office portfolio located in four key office markets of India, has received nine Sword of Honour Awards for each of its assets that have received Five Star Rating by British Safety Council’s Occupational Health and Safety Audits. The recognition spans seven assets, collectively encompassing an expansive operational area exceeding 24msf. The audit was conducted to assess the safety and health of the asset portfolio. These prestigious awards reflect Mindspace REIT's unwavering commitment to safety and health of occupants across its diverse asset portfolio.

Mindspace REIT has been awarded Five Star Ratings and the Sword of Honour across its assets, covering Mindspace Airoli East, Mindspace Airoli West and Paradigm Mindspace Malad in Mumbai Metropolitan Region; Commerzone Yerwada, Gera Commerzone Kharadi and The Square Signature Business Chambers (Nagar Road) in Pune - each of which received 1 award; and Mindspace Madhapur in Hyderabad - which received 3 awards.

Peter McGettrick, Chairman of British Safety Council, said: “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the British Safety Council I would like to congratulate Mindspace Business Parks REIT on achieving the highest standards of its health and safety management. These awards recognise the commitment, dedication and absolute professionalism undertaken. We are proud to support your organisation in its achievement and delighted we can contribute to your ongoing success.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, added: “I would like to congratulate Mindspace Business Parks REIT and its staff on this award, in tribute to their commitment to keeping their workplace safe and healthy. All of the Sword and Globe – and now Shield – award-winning organisations share a commitment and resolve to achieve the uppermost standards of health and safety, sustainability or now wellbeing. We thank Mindspace Business Parks REIT for contributing to achieving our vision that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work.”

Speaking on the certifications, Mr. Ramesh Nair, CEO, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, said, “We are delighted to receive nine Sword of Honour Awards, highlighting our commitment to constructing sustainable ecosystems. This accomplishment, coupled with our nine Five Star Ratings, reinforces our dedication to the health and safety of our clients and the environment. Our focused efforts to reduce carbon footprint, coupled with the creation of safe and healthy workplaces, resonates with our mission to provide sustainable, world-class spaces. The audit, aligned with global standards, validates our dedication to providing the best experiences for all our stakeholders.”

Mindspace REIT’s several projects were assessed in the Five Star British Safety Council audit which measured performance against key health and safety management best practice indicators. The detailed review focused on organisational leadership, commitment and planning, implementation and operation, performance monitoring & measurement, and evaluation and continual improvement.

Globally, organizations achieving a remarkable 92% or above in the British Safety Council's Occupational Health and Safety Audit earn a distinguished Five Star rating. Subsequently, they are extended an invitation to vie for the esteemed Sword of Honour, a testament to their outstanding commitment to health and safety management excellence.

The Sword of Honour is the highest endorsement by the British Safety Council for exemplary management of Occupational Health & Safety at the workplace and celebrates and rewards those organizations that have achieved significant Occupational Health and Safety Management. The British Safety Council’s Five Star Rating is the most contemporary, quantified audit process available, which allows businesses to test their health, safety and wellbeing performance against recognized standards, industry best practice techniques and latest legislations.

About British Safety Council

British Safety Council believes that?no-one should be injured or made ill through their work.?Since its foundation in 1957, British Safety Council has campaigned tirelessly to protect workers from accidents, hazards and unsafe conditions, and played a decisive role in the political process that has led to the adoption of landmark safety legislation in the UK. Its members in more than 60 countries are committed to protecting and improving the wellbeing of workers, believing that a healthy and safe work environment is also good for business.

About Mindspace Business Parks REIT

Mindspace Business Parks REIT, sponsored by K Raheja Corp group, listed on the Indian bourses in August 2020. The REIT owns quality office portfolios located in four key office markets of India, namely Mumbai Region, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, and is one of the largest Grade-A office portfolios in India. The portfolio has a total leasable area of 32.3 msf comprising of 26.1 msf of completed area, 2.9 msf of area under construction and 3.3 msf of future development. The portfolio consists of 5 integrated business parks and 5 quality independent office assets with superior infrastructure and amenities. It has a diversified and high-quality tenant base, with over 200 tenants as of September 30, 2023. Most of the buildings in the portfolio are either Gold or Platinum Green Building Certified (IGBC/LEED). The assets provide a community-based ecosystem and have been developed to meet the evolving standards of tenants, and the demands of ‘new age businesses’, making it amongst the preferred options for both multinational and domestic corporations. To know more visit www.mindspacereit.com

Rapido Launches Its New Brand Campaign "5 Nahi Toh 50" Guarantee; Promises Confirmed Auto Allocation In 5 Minutes

Rapido, India’s leading app-based commute service, is set to revolutionise commuting with its innovative "5 Nahi Toh 50" guarantee auto campaign. This unique initiative promises users confirmed auto allocation in 5 minutes of search time. Rapido sweetens the deal in case of any delay by offering 50 Rapido coins as a reward. This customer-centric approach is all set to transform the commuting experience in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, and Bengaluru, promising unmatched convenience, reliability, and heightened user satisfaction.

The "5 Nahi Toh 50" concept embodies Rapido's commitment to addressing the frustration of commuters, particularly females, who often struggle to find autos promptly. The ad campaign, featuring lead female protagonists, introduces Rapido Auto as the ultimate solution in a series of three quirky ads connected with a catchy and memorable jingle.

Rapido's guaranteed auto campaign marks a transformative change in how commuters experience auto services. The films, released in five languages, including Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi, resonated with audiences of diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, expressed his enthusiasm about the "5 Nahi Toh 50" initiative, stating, "At Rapido, we constantly strive to enhance the commuting experience for our customers. By introducing the '5 Nahi Toh 50' guarantee, we aim to address the common frustration of commuters waiting for an auto, revolutionising people's commute and providing a unique and rewarding experience. The move will also ensure a safer commute for women passengers who will not get stuck searching and negotiating with other autos."

This game-changing offer underscores Rapido's commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous innovation in the commute service industry. Rapido's "5 Nahi Toh 50" guarantee is poised to set a new benchmark, ensuring users reach their destinations comfortably while enjoying the added benefit of Rapido Coins in their wallets.

Before the "Guaranteed Auto" campaign, Rapido made waves with its "Bike Wali Taxi, Sabse Saxi" campaign, which became a viral sensation across social media platforms. This campaign, celebrated by netizens, showcases Rapido's commitment to pioneering creative solutions, leaving an indelible mark on the digital landscape.

Rapido's latest ad campaign on "5 Nahi Toh 50" concept is now live. Extending a hassle-free commuting experience, Rapido has reaffirmed its customer-centric brand position and seamless expertise where every ride is a guaranteed delight!

Rotary Bangalore MidTown GenNext hosts Gift Of Life! A Fundraising Dinner To Support 100 Paediatric Heart Surgeries

More than 150,000 children in India are born with Congenital Heart Disease annually. Only around 5000 manage to get treatment with some financial aid.

Rotary Bangalore MidTown GenNext, a dynamic young Rotary club in the city was honoured to host an impressive Fund Raising event on the 29th of November, 2023 at The Taj, MG Road, in support of a 100 paediatric heart surgeries.

The evening was a promising one, with an engaging conversation between Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and Mr Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder, Zerodha, throwing light on a most relevant topic - India’s potential of becoming a Superpower!

The complete proceeds of the event, INR 35,00,000/- was handed over to Mr O P Khanna, Chairman, Needy Heart Foundation, one of Bangalore’s leading NGOs, working for over 2 decades in helping deserving patients with cardiac surgeries and support. The Foundation is managed by a group of imminent and dedicated cardiac doctors and citizens in the city.

This event is a pioneering effort by Rotary Bangalore MidTown GenNext to resolve and commit towards supporting life saving surgeries of our next generation.

“Inspired by compassion, Rotary Midtown GenNext champions a fundraising drive for underprivileged children in need of crucial heart surgeries. Amidst the complexity and cost, their humanitarian efforts shine through, bridging gaps and mending hearts. We have immense gratitude for their generosity, as they carve a path to a healthier tomorrow. We wish them the very best in this noble endeavour."  averred Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research

“We are humbled and grateful to host this event as a symbol of collective efforts where people come together, enjoy an intellectually stimulating evening and support a benevolent cause. We started with a few life saving surgeries, today we look at supporting a 100 paediatric surgeries and we are hopeful of our efforts to help 1000’s of children in leading healthy and dignified lives” said Taher Qureshi Merchant, Chairman, Rotary Bangalore MidTown GenNext.

About Rotary Bangalore Midtown GenNext

Rotary Bangalore Midtown GenNext is a group of young extremely talented and well meaning members who have positively influenced and impacted our communities. Since its inception in 2020, Rotary GenNext has made a noteworthy impact on over 10,000 individuals through a range of interventions spanning both urban and rural, across areas such as child and youth education, healthcare, women empowerment and environment.

GenNext is a satellite club of Rotary Bangalore Midtown, a 48 year old club which has the distinction of having the city's most eminent Businessmen and Professionals as its members. Each of them having made significant contributions towards the growth of the city and country at large. They have led the Rotary District in terms of the size and impact of service projects across areas of Environment, Health, Education, Women Empowerment, and many other related activities.

35 Ground-Breaking Products And Solutions By Startups Launched At Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023

The Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and S & T, Government of Karnataka, proudly unveiled 35 ground-breaking products and solutions developed by startups during the 26th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023. The second edition of Startup Product Launch held at the Startup Innovation Zones over the 2nd and 3rd days of the summit. This initiative reflects the state's commitment to fostering innovation across a diverse spectrum of industries. 

Key Highlights: 

Sector-Agnostic Innovation: The launched products and solutions spanned a multitude of sectors, including IT/ITeS, Agri-Tech, Med-Tech, Healthcare, Clean-Tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Tech, Blockchain, IoT, Cybersecurity, Environment Tech, AVGC and ESDM. 

Diversity of Offerings: The array of innovative solutions included electronic devices integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), advancements in automotive manufacturing, innovations in footwear and accessories, technologies in avionics & defence, effluent air treatment solutions, apps to prevent fraudulent transactions, fabric authentication tools, Animations & Comics, and Deep Tech-based platforms for quality assessment. 

Incubator Support: Majority of the startups have flourished within Government of Karnataka-supported incubators, such as K-tech Innovation Hubs, Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) anchored by esteemed institutions like C-CAMP, NASSCOM, Jain Incubation Centre, Deshpande Startups, and CoE - Cybersecurity. 

Government Backing: Several startups featured in this showcase have received financial grant support through the Government's Idea2PoC / ELEVATE Grant-in-aid seed funding program, highlighting the state's commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering a culture of innovation. 

Diversity and Inclusion: Out of the 35 startups, a noteworthy 09 are women-led, underlining the inclusive and diverse nature of Karnataka's startup ecosystem. 

The products are launched in the presence of - 

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, IT & Bt, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka 

Shri Prashanth Prakash, Chairman, Vision Group for Startups, Government of Karnataka .

Godrej Capital Nirmaan Enhances Its Offering; Partners With DBS Bank India, Visa, And Amazon To Aid MSME Growth

·         Godrej Capital bets bigger on its business solution platform, Nirmaan, and onboards marquee partners.

·         13 esteemed partners have been onboarded to offer business solutions with added benefits to MSMEs pan-India.

·         Amazon to provide Nirmaan users with an opportunity to showcase and sell their products to customers across India and the world, get access to solutions for website creation, omni-channel order management, and more.

·         DBS Bank India to introduce customized current accounts with special features for Nirmaan users.

·         Visa to facilitate DBS-Nirmaan-led simplified banking initiatives.

Godrej Capital, the financial services arm of the Godrej Group, is betting bigger on its Nirmaan platform by significantly expanding its collaborative network. Partnerships with industry stalwarts such as DBS Bank India, Visa, Amazon, and others underscore Godrej Capital's commitment to providing growth opportunities for MSME owners. These collaborations are designed to empower MSMEs, offering a diverse array of value-added services and comprehensive support throughout their business journey. In a testament to its commitment, Nirmaan has expanded its collaborative model to include 13+ partners, aligning with a vision to actively contribute to the growth of MSMEs in the dynamic landscape of the Indian financial services sector.

The platform aims to foster growth revolving around three critical areas for MSMEs:

·         Expansion of customer base

·         Streamlining of operations

·         Enhancement of employee productivity

Speaking about the partnership, Manish Shah, MD & CEO at Godrej Capital, said, “We are delighted to expand our partner ecosystem, reinforcing our commitment to help MSMEs grow, through Nirmaan. We aim to be catalysts and help MSMEs beyond lending by being a part of their business growth journey. Aligned with the Godrej Group’s nation-building ethos, we see ourselves as enablers and we firmly believe that, with the collective commitment and services provided by our partners, we can make a difference and contribute towards making India a 5 trillion-dollar economy.”

This partnership will enable DBS Bank India to offer MSMEs access to a comprehensive suite of value-added services, featuring a customised current account. Businesses registered with Nirmaan can enjoy exclusive benefits that go beyond the regular suite of offerings such as - a 1-year waiver on Minimum Average Quarterly Balance non-maintenance fees, seamless integration with Tally ERP for connected banking, highly competitive trade and FX pricing, the convenience of a Business Debit Card powered by Visa, and exclusive partner offers, providing holistic financial support for MSMEs.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajat Verma, MD and Head Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank India, said, “Leveraging our local market insights and deep understanding of business realities, DBS Bank India has created an innovative offering with Godrej Capital Nirmaan. We have designed an exclusive set of benefits for MSMEs on Nirmaan that will help free-up cash flows through special fee-waivers on the current account variant, along with a host of partner offers to enhance business agility. The partnership underlines our commitment to empowering MSMEs across India to unlock their growth aspirations.”

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, will provide comprehensive payment solutions for MSMEs through the Nirmaan platform. Its extensive network and global acceptance will also support DBS Bank India’s specially curated offerings for Nirmaan users.

Sujai Raina, Vice President and Head – Business Development, India, Visa said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Godrej Capital Nirmaan and DBS Bank India to offer comprehensive payment services to small businesses in India. MSMEs are vital to the socio-economic and inclusive growth of the country, and Visa helps them unlock opportunities and value with its solutions. We are facilitating the DBS Current Account with a Business Debit Card offering specially curated for Nirmaan users, that allows MSMEs to make payments seamlessly, thus enabling them to drive business priorities and growth imperatives”.

Amazon's partnership with Nirmaan will help MSMEs showcase and sell their products to customers across India by listing them on Amazon.in. It will additionally help open the door to global markets, with a three-month subscription to Amazon’s e-commerce exports program called Amazon Global Selling. Nirmaan users will also be able to get free-of-cost access to website creation and omni-channel inventory management solutions from Smart Commerce by Amazon until March 2024.

Speaking on the partnership, Gaurav Bhatnagar, Head - Seller Acquisition at Amazon India said, “Amazon is deeply committed to forging partnerships with MSMEs to address the ever-evolving customer landscape, with a focus on our three fundamental pillars: selection, value, and convenience. Through our collaboration with Godrej Capital Nirmaan, we aim to bring the benefits of digitization and e-commerce closer to MSMEs. They will be able to leverage Amazon to showcase and sell their products to customers across India and capitalize on export opportunities. They will also be able to digitize their day-to-day operations through omni-channel inventory management solutions. We believe that such collaborations will help MSMEs serve their customers with unparalleled dedication and grow their business excellence.”

In addition to the existing partners Onsurity, Zolvit and MSMEx, the new partners - GeM Tech Paras, Escrowpay, GreytHR, and Serapis Knowledge Solutions - will provide MSMEs with access to a wider range of solutions to help them grow their businesses.

Focusing on overall value creation through ecosystem development and partnerships, Godrej Capital Nirmaan aims to contribute towards the entrepreneurial and socio-economic development of the MSME sector in India, ultimately contributing to the growth of the economy and nation-building. The platform goes beyond lending offerings and provides value-added services encompassing business growth opportunities, ease of business, and knowledge and network avenues.

About Godrej Capital:

Godrej Capital is the financial services arm of the Godrej Group. It is a subsidiary of Godrej Industries and is the holding company for Godrej Housing Finance & Godrej Finance. With a digital-first approach and a keen focus on customer-centric product innovation, Godrej Capital offers home loans, Loans Against Property, and business loans. It is positioned to diversify into other customer segments and products. The company is focused on building a long-term, sustainable retail financial services business in India, anchored on the Godrej Group's 126-year legacy of trust and excellence. Godrej Capital focuses on learning and development across its employee base and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a guiding principle. Its entity, GHF, is Great Place to Work® Certified and was recognized by the Economic Times as the Best Organization for Women in 2022.

Godrej Capital currently has its footprint across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Alwar, Aurangabad, Baroda, Coimbatore, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanchipuram, Mangalore, Salem, Ludhiana, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, Rajkot, Udaipur, Vapi, Vijayawada, Rangareddy, Vishakhapatnam, and Thane.

About Godrej Capital Nirmaan:

Godrej Capital Nirmaan, a first of its kind in the BFSI industry, is a digital platform that is set to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for sustainable growth. With its innovative approach, comprehensive partner offerings, and its esteemed partners, Nirmaan aims to transform the landscape of MSMEs, providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in today's competitive business environment. Nirmaan has collaborated with Amazon, DBS Bank India, MSMEx, GreytHR, Serapiz, Escrowpay, Gem Tech Paras, Zolvit, and Onsurity among others. Through expert advising, efficient facilitation, and innovative financing solutions, Nirmaan aims to elevate MSMEs to new heights of growth and success. Carefully curated, Nirmaan with its partners provides services critical to the growth of MSMEs. The partners facilitated on Nirmaan platform engage with users through their own bespoke terms. For more details visit www.godrejcapitalnirmaan.com

To partner with Godrej Capital Nirmaan, write a mail to nirmaan.pconnect@godrejcapital.com

Unicommerce Hosts e-Kumbh In Bengaluru To Empower Karnataka’s Local Businesses

~eKumbh Bengaluru witnessed participation of 2000+ sellers from across different parts of the state~

Unicommerce - one of India's leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms, successfully concluded the fourth edition of its business-focused event, e-Kumbh in Bengaluru today. e-Kumbh is a regional event that works as an ecommerce-focused knowledge sharing platform for regional brands, retailers and technology enablers. Tailored to equip sellers in Karnataka with state-of-the-art e-commerce technology, the event attracted more than 2000 businesses, spanning online sellers, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, and traditional retail enterprises from all over the state's business community.

Businesses from different cities in Karnataka gathered at the event to explore various technologies that can assist them in expanding their operations. The event served as a hub for exploration into diverse technologies aimed at enhancing and expanding their operational horizons.

During this one-day event, prominent figures from the ecommerce and retail-tech sectors shared their insights on essential topics such as Building Sustainable Businesses, Direct-to-Consumer strategies, Post-purchase Experience Management and more. The event showcased perspectives on fostering business growth in international markets, presented by Amazon Global Selling, hosted a women entrepreneurs' awards ceremony by Women Entrepreneur Network (WFN) and a knowledge-packed session by Ecommercesity, a talent upskilling medium for ecommerce entrepreneurs, professionals and aspiring businesses, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. The sessions offered the audience valuable insights into leveraging technology as a catalyst for their business expansion.

Highlighting the robust potential within Karnataka’s e-commerce ecosystem and capitalizing on the conducive environment, e-Kumbh Bengaluru unfolded as a strategic forum, inviting regional businesses to engage in discussions about the growth of ecommerce technology and explore the boundless opportunities within the state's dynamic market.

Speaking on the success of e-Kumbh’s 4th edition, Kapil Makhija, CEO of Unicommerce, said, "In the dynamic business hub of Bengaluru, where entrepreneurship thrives, the demand for e-commerce technology is more crucial than ever for our sellers and the budding Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) community. The overwhelming response at eKumbh underscores the clear recognition among businesses of the transformative power of technology. We are committed to making our contributions towards India’s growing ecommerce and new-age retail landscape with our regional efforts impacting local brands and businesses."

Surbhi Bhatia, Founder of The Mom Store stated, “We started as a bootstrapped company and have evolved to become one of the leading maternity and baby care products’ brands in the country. We commend Unicommerce for championing initiatives like eKumbh, that helps local sellers, especially the ones with limited resources, to find the right technology to build their businesses. Bengaluru is India’s largest startup hub and witnessing the enthusiasm of sellers from across the state is truly inspiring. We are optimistic that such efforts will contribute significantly to the dynamic growth of businesses, enriching India's retail landscape."

Present at the event, Umar Akhter, CEO of Koskii, a Bengaluru-based women’s occasion-wear brand said, “Bengaluru serves as a bustling hub for a diverse array of retail and e-commerce enterprises. We have seen the hard times when physical shops used to be the sole sales channel for a retailer. Today, technology is equipping sellers with the right tools that can accelerate online growth, facilitating effective outreach to customers in global markets. Unicommerce’s initiative of providing a knowledge platform to the local sellers is another step towards building India’s retail prowess.”

Unicommerce’s e-commerce enablement Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform enables end-to-end management of e-commerce operations for marketplaces, brands, sellers and logistics service provider firms.

20% Of Indian Businesses Have No Emissions Plan In Place Despite The Climate Emergency, Reveals Report From ACCA, IFAC And PwC

* New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations

As world leaders gather for COP 28, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Accountants), IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) and professional services firm PwC released a new report: The role of the CFO and finance function in the climate transition: driving value and sustainability, based on a survey of 1,000 senior finance professionals around the world.

The research reveals that 20% of organisations in India don’t have an emissions plan in place and 25% of those don’t intend to develop one. The research found that, globally almost half of respondents (46%) have yet to produce a plan for reducing their carbon emissions. Alarmingly, 70% of those respondents without an emissions plan say they currently have no intention of developing one. This is a significant problem given that successful transition planning to a low carbon business starts with the development of a robust emissions reduction plan.

Emissions Plan among Businesses

The report also says that involving CFOs and finance teams in the emissions reduction planning is likely to accelerate progress. They should embrace this because, although they may not always be the ‘owner’ of the sustainability agenda, CFOs can embed climate transition priorities into business planning and resource allocation, and enable high-quality sustainability reporting internally and externally.

The research recommends that finance teams need to develop the right skills and expertise to continue increasing their contribution to a climate transition. For CFOs, balancing the short-term operational priorities of the finance team whilst simultaneously upskilling and equipping the team to support the wider organisation’s net zero initiatives longer term must now be a critical imperative.

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA said: ‘The accountancy and finance profession can enable organisations to achieve their net-zero ambitions in a fair and inclusive way. They can also support the just transition to a low-carbon economy by helping their organisations to seize the associated business benefits. As COP28 begins, this report is a call to action for professional accountants everywhere to play their part in helping their organisations to reduce their carbon emissions and support the climate transition.’

Sundeep Jakhar, Head of Public Affairs – India, ACCA, added, ‘Finance can play an influential future role in the emissions planning agenda. To do that, accountancy and finance professionals need to make sure that they have enhanced their existing skillsets with relevant sustainability-related capabilities.’

Asmaa Resmouki, president of IFAC, commented: ‘The expertise of accounting and finance professionals in combatting climate change is absolutely essential if we are to make the progress the planet so desperately needs.’

‘This report corroborates IFAC’s prior research into corporate disclosures on emissions targets and transition plans for achieving them. Companies need to improve the decision-usefulness of their transition plans and how they communicate them to stakeholders.’

David Russell, finance transformation leader, PwC, added: ‘This report highlights a critical gap where some businesses lack a clear roadmap to meet their emissions targets and the ability to measure and report progress against their goals. It’s imperative for finance leaders not just to drive the change towards sustainability but also to build trust in the reporting of progress towards sustainability goals. CFOs can play a pivotal role in integrating environmental considerations into strategy, planning and reporting – ensuring that businesses not only contribute positively to the climate agenda but also adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.’