What is SDG and how is SDG is related to NGRBC in India

SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are interconnected and aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

L

ist of 17 SDGs:

1. No Poverty

2. Zero Hunger

3. Good Health and Well-being

4. Quality Education

5. Gender Equality

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

10. Reduced Inequalities

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

13. Climate Action

14. Life Below Water

15. Life on Land

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

17. Partnerships for the Goals

NGRBC stands for National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct. These are guidelines issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India, in 2019, as an update to the previous National Voluntary Guidelines (NVGs) on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business (2011).

The NGRBC outlines 9 Principles for responsible business behavior in India and aims to encourage businesses to operate in an economically, socially, and environmentally responsible manner.

The 9 NGRBC Principles (Explained Simply)

Principle What It Means

P1 Run your business with honesty, transparency, and accountability.

P2 Offer products or services that are safe, sustainable, and high quality.

P3 Take care of your employees—including contract workers and

supply chain labor.

P4 Engage with and respect your stakeholders (customers, employees,

community).

P5 Promote and respect human rights at all levels.

P6 Protect the environment and use natural resources wisely.

P7 Be responsible when engaging with government or policy-making.

P8 Support inclusive growth and contribute to local development.

P9 Treat your customers fairly and communicate transparently.

Relationship between SDGs and NGRBC:

The NGRBC is India’s localized response to the SDGs in the context of business and corporate responsibility. Here's how they're related:

NGRBC Principle	Linked SDGs	Explanation
P1: Businesses should conduct and govern themselves with integrity	SDG 16	Focus on ethical governance, transparency, and accountability
P2: Provide goods/services sustainably	SDG 9, 12	Emphasizes sustainable production and consumption
P3: Promote well-being of all employees	SDG 3, 5, 8	Covers health, safety, gender equality, decent work
P4: Respect interests of stakeholders	SDG 17	Focus on partnerships and inclusive decision-making
P5: Respect and promote human rights	SDG 10, 16	Related to reducing inequalities and justice
P6: Respect and protect the environment	SDG 6, 7, 13, 14, 15	Direct connection to environmental goals
P7: Responsible advocacy and policy influence	SDG 16	Promotes fair and responsible influence on public policy
P8: Support inclusive growth and equitable development	SDG 1, 4, 10	Linked to poverty alleviation, education, equity
P9: Engage with and provide value to consumers responsibly	SDG 12	Encourages ethical marketing, safety, and information disclosure

SDG 2 pertaining to Zero Hunger and SDG 11 pertaining to Sustainability cities and communities are not connected directly to business enterprises and hence not included above.

Why should NGRBC be aligned to the SDGs?

Alignment of NGRBC (National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct) with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is crucial for several reasons — strategic, social, environmental, and economic. Here's why:

1. India’s Global Commitments

• India is a signatory to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• To meet these international commitments, all sectors—including businesses—need to contribute.

• NGRBC provides the national framework for businesses to act responsibly and support the country’s SDG journey.

  
  

2.  Business as a Key Driver of Sustainable Development

• Companies influence jobs, environment, innovation, supply chains, and social inclusion.

• When businesses align with SDGs via NGRBC, they:

a. Reduce negative environmental and social impacts.

b. Promote inclusive and equitable growth.

c. Ensure long-term value creation and resilience.

3. Consistency and Clarity for Reporting & Policy Integration

• Aligning NGRBC with SDGs allows for:

a. Better ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting.

b. Easier integration with global sustainability frameworks like GRI, UNGC

c. Unified direction for government policies, investor expectations, and CSR strategies.

4. Improved Corporate Reputation & Stakeholder Trust

• Stakeholders (customers, investors, regulators) increasingly expect companies to be socially and environmentally responsible.

• Alignment builds trust, brand value, and can attract sustainable finance and partnerships.

5. Access to Green Finance and Global Supply Chains

• Global investors and buyers prefer SDG-compliant companies.

• Aligning with SDGs via NGRBC helps Indian businesses:

  a. Access green finance.

  b. Qualify for ESG-linked investments.

  c. Enter responsible global supply chains.

  
  

6.  Risk Mitigation & Future-Readiness

• Companies that adopt responsible business conduct reduce:

  a. Regulatory, reputational, and operational risks.

  b. Vulnerabilities to climate change, resource scarcity, and social unrest.

To conclude,

NGRBC is India’s business guidebook. SDGs are the world’s vision. Aligning the two ensures Indian businesses grow responsibly, competitively, and contribute to a better world.