Institute of Company Secretaries (ICSI) has launched guiding principles on stewardship to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in corporate strategies, building on commitments from the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.
The ICSI Guiding Principles on Stewardship (IGPS) promote responsible asset management for long-term value, with adoption mandated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for fund managers and institutional investors in India’s financial hubs. The principles shift focus from short-term gains to sustainable growth, urging stewards to demand robust ESG frameworks.
Complementing the IGPS, ICSI released a Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit on ESG this year to help company secretaries and boards craft comprehensive policies. It also introduced the ICSI Principles on Climate Change Governance (IPCG), offering metrics and targets for transparent climate disclosures.
“Integrating climate considerations into business requires well-crafted principles, detailed guidance and equipped professionals,” ICSI President CS Dhananjay Shukla said. “As a leader in best practices, ICSI delivers through these initiatives.”
ICSI Secretary CS Asish Mohan added: “In a climate-challenged world, we leverage investors and stewards for principles-based governance supporting sustainable development.”
The moves align with global pushes for climate finance and multilateral action, as nations at COP30 pledged new tools to combat warming.