ABSTRACT
The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms into corporate governance has significantly reshaped the legal landscape of company law in India. This paper critically examines the evolving role of ESG principles in redefining corporate accountability, directors’ duties and disclosure obligations under the companies act, 2013 and SEBI’s business responsibility and sustainability reporting framework. Through doctrinal analysis and comparative insights, the study explores how ESG norms transition from voluntary ethical standards to enforceable legal mandates. It highlights the challenges faced by Indian companies in aligning with global ESG expectations, including regulatory ambiguity, compliance burdens and risks of greenwashing. The paper argues for a more robust statutory framework that explicitly incorporates ESG obligations into company law, ensuring sustainable corporate practices and stakeholder protection. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on corporate responsibility, legal reform and the role of law in advancing sustainable development goals (SDGS).
Keywords: Companies, Corporate, Environmental, Responsibility, Social and Governance.
INTRODUCTION
ESG standards have become a powerful force for change in corporate governance in recent years, forcing companies to go beyond making as much money as possible and instead focus on doing business in a way that is good for the environment and society. Around the world, regulators and investors are asking for more openness about standards for environmental impact, social responsibility and governance. This change is shown in india by changes to company law, especially through SEBI’s BRSR framework and changes to the companies act, 2013. This paper examines the legal ramifications of ESG integration in Indian corporate law. It looks at how ESG standards affect directors’ duties to protect the company, how companies share information and how they interact with stakeholders. The research additionally investigates the evolution from corporate social responsibility (CSR) to environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, emphasizing the transition from voluntary philanthropy to obligatory sustainability adherence. The paper seeks to evaluate the adequacy of Indian company law in enforcing ESG obligations and fostering responsible corporate behaviour through the examination of statutory provisions, regulatory guidelines and judicial trends.