Climate change is no longer just an environmental concern—it’s a hard economic risk that demands boardroom attention, Karnataka’s top pollution official declared Friday. Speaking at the CII Karnataka ESG Summit in Bengaluru, KSPCB chairman Srinivasulu framed the climate crisis in starkly practical terms: a threat to business stability that can no longer be sidelined.

  • Speaker: Srinivasulu, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
  • Event: CII Karnataka ESG Summit 2026, Bengaluru
  • Theme: “Building Climate-Resilient and Competitive Businesses: From ESG Commitment to Action”

A Shift in Perspective

For years, climate action lived in sustainability reports and CSR budgets. Not anymore. Srinivasulu’s message was clear: climate intelligence must become business intelligence. He urged leaders to treat climate factors with the same weight as land, labor, and capital—core elements of any enterprise.

“Climate intelligence must therefore become business intelligence, with climate considerations embedded in boardroom decisions alongside land, labour, capital and finance,”

The room felt it. Industry veterans, policymakers, and tech innovators leaned in, recognizing the urgency in his words.

Industry Echoes the Warning

Kamal Bali, past chairman of CII Southern Region and President of Volvo Group India, didn’t mince words either. ESG, he argued, is moving “from aspiration to execution.” Resilience isn’t optional—it’s essential for survival amid climate threats, supply chain ruptures, and geopolitical shifts.

Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director of Kennametal India Ltd, noted that ESG is evolving from a compliance checkbox to a foundation for long-term growth. And Guruprasad Mudlapur of Bosch India added that sustainability can no longer live in a separate department—it must be woven into daily operations and strategic calls.

From Risk to Opportunity

Amid the sobering warnings, there was also hope. Several speakers highlighted that ESG isn’t just about managing risk—it’s unlocking new markets, technologies, and business models. Climate resilience, done right, could be a competitive edge.

But the underlying message was unmistakable: adapt now, or pay later. The economy can’t afford to treat climate as a side issue any longer.