HOME » Best Workplaces » Moving towards clean energy with trust-based leadership 

Moving towards clean energy with trust-based leadership 

Solar panel installer with drill installing solar panels
Share:

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As celebrated on January 26, International Day of Clean Energy marks the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (a global intergovernmental agency). The objective of this day is to raise awareness, advocate clean and renewable energy sources, and unite all stakeholders to help advance the sustainability mission. This, however, is a very recent phenomenon for the world; before the 1800s (before the Industrial Revolution), humans mainly relied on biomass as an energy source.

Clean Energy Initiatives in India

For India, the clean energy movement has taken significant attention in the last few decades, and it remains a topic of high importance and priority. In alignment with the clean energy transition, India became one of the first countries to set up a Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 1992. Since then, many initiatives have been launched to advance energy transition to achieve net zero by 2070 and meet 50% of electricity needs from non-fossil sources by 2030. Solar energy has grown at a 36.5% CAGR, while investments in EVs, wind energy, and other energy storage systems total billions annually.

SEBI’s recent directive of mandating the top 250 listed companies to give disclosures on ESG metrics for their value chain partners in annual reports from the financial year 2024-25 has become a significant indicator of India’s more prominent role in clean energy. Today, Deloitte India’s ESG Preparedness 2023 survey shows that 88% of Indian businesses believe sustainability regulations will impact their operations, and nearly 90% think ESG reporting boosts brand reputation. However, only 27% feel well-prepared to meet ESG requirements.

Need for leaders to build trust

Going ahead, for a promising path to net zero, a significant transition is essential. This involves Indian companies embedding sustainability into core strategies, driving innovation through green technologies, and improving climate disclosures to secure green financing.

Similarly, with the population as the most remarkable growth driver, India will need the collective effort of its entire workforce to drive action and propel the future toward clean energy goals. Companies must keep their employees engaged and motivated to address challenges, devise solutions, and succeed in the energy transition.

Leaders, too, must evolve alongside reshaping themselves to transform businesses for the better. Thus, success in every endeavour may eventually hinge on leaders’ ability to build trust, which lies at the core of the relationship between leaders and employees. Great Place To Work® India research, based on responses from over 200+ leaders from the industry roundtable, suggests that the biggest foundational challenge in creating a great employee experience is in establishing a unique environment that fosters trust.

With a strong foundation of trust, leaders will find it easier to make people move the needle on sustainability. Top employers, as measured by employee satisfaction and attractiveness to talent, have significantly higher ESG scores than their peers. Employers with highly satisfied employees score higher on ESG performance (14 percent higher) than global average employers.

Likewise, enabling trust empowers leaders to create a spirit of pride and camaraderie. When all employees experience trust, it fosters an environment of innovation and drives financial success. Both are critical to finding new, sustainable solutions and ensuring the necessary financial resources to scale the clean energy transition. Hence, to meet sustainability goals, organizations need leaders to build workplace trust.

“About 3.4 billion people in the world work somewhere.
Wouldn’t it make sense if we started there and if we created this great environment for people where they work?”

– Tony Bond, Chief diversity and innovation officer, Great Place To Work

Authored by Gurab Virk, Great Place To Work India’s report on India’s Most Trusted Leaders 2024 shares an insightful perspective on how leaders can enable this transition successfully.

Three Essentials to Make Sustainability Stick

Create Sustainability Ambassador Programs

Establish a Sustainability Ambassador program where employees volunteer to champion environmental initiatives within the company. These ambassadors can lead projects, raise awareness, and drive engagement in sustainability practices.

Develop ERG-driven Innovation Labs

Set up Innovation Labs where employee resource groups can propose and develop projects contributing to the company’s ESG objectives. Provide resources, mentorship, and funding for the best ideas to bring them to fruition.

Implement a Stakeholder Collaboration Approach

Move beyond traditional stakeholder management to a more collaborative approach for stakeholder acceptance of ESG goals. This involves employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment in decision-making.

Get Certified to Showcase Your Commitment

Achieving Great Place To Work Certification™ is an excellent way to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to employees’ overall well-being and experience. This Certification not only enhances your employer branding but also helps attract and retain top talent. It highlights to current and prospective employees that your organization values their overall well-being, fostering an environment where they feel appreciated and supported.

By implementing a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration, you can create a workplace where employees feel valued and connected. Certification also provides a benchmark for continuous improvement, helping you identify areas where you can further enhance employee well-being and overall workplace culture. 

For All Summit Mumbai 2025: Vision to Value – Building Workplaces That Matter

Join us on February 6, 2025, in Mumbai for an enlightening day filled with insights on creating sustainable, humane, and inclusive workplaces. Learn from industry leaders about purpose-driven cultures, innovative HR practices, and adaptive leadership strategies.

Get your passes today – https://www.greatplacetowork.in/for-all-summit

For All Summit Banner