ESG Starts From Within” – Jagjiv Kumar Arora’s Honest Call for Ethical Business at the House of Lords
In the grand halls of the House of Lords, where tradition meets today’s challenges, ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—took on a deeper, more personal meaning. This time, it wasn’t about policies or checklists. It was about responsibility, values, and belief.
Mr. Jagjiv Kumar Arora, an Indian entrepreneur known for his work in steel and global agro trade, shared a message grounded in reality: true change starts from within.
He reminded everyone that ESG is not a trend—it’s a reflection of a business’s conscience. He asked the most important questions: Are we doing what’s right? For people, the planet, and future generations?
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Mr. Arora opened with a clear idea: “Truth needs support.”
He spoke as someone who has built businesses from scratch—facing challenges, putting personal resources at stake, and holding firm to core values.
ESG, he said, should not be about ticking boxes. It should be about making real, responsible choices. Behind every business is a human story, and ESG must reflect that.
One Framework, Many Realities
Mr. Arora highlighted that not all businesses are the same, so ESG can’t be applied the same way everywhere.
“You cannot evaluate a bootstrapped startup and a century-old industrial house using the same template,” he said.
Different businesses have different responsibilities, and ESG must be flexible—but still rooted in strong principles.
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He shared how Indian family businesses have long practiced ethical values, even before ESG became mainstream.
Over 60% of listed companies in India are family-owned, many already supporting their communities through trusts and giving.
But good intentions must be followed by action. Mr. Arora called on boards to go beyond symbolic roles and take real responsibility.
“A board should be like a council of ministers—executing strategy, but grounded in responsibility,” he explained.
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Mr. Arora gave a powerful example: motorbikes delivering ₹50 snacks across cities.
Yes, they create jobs—but they also add to pollution, traffic, and environmental damage.
He asked: “Is it worth the environmental cost?” and encouraged businesses to look at greener, smarter alternatives, like Europe’s cycle-led delivery models.
Business leaders should lead the way, not wait for government rules.
Making Governance Work in Real Time
When it came to governance, Mr. Arora asked tough questions:
Why don’t employees have direct channels to report concerns?
Why do companies act only after problems arise?
He emphasized that governance should be transparent, fast, and truly responsive.
“Governance is not a badge of status. It’s a practice of responsibility,” he said.
Inspiration, Not Pressure: ESG for Small Businesses
Mr. Arora made an important point: millions of small businesses are still learning and growing.
For them, ESG shouldn’t be a burden—it should be a guide.
He called for awareness and education, so even small enterprises can understand and apply ESG in their own way.
A Gentle, Powerful Reminder for the World
In a room full of leaders and decision-makers, Mr. Arora’s message was simple but strong.
Ethics can’t be forced through rules. They must come from belief and practice.
He closed with a challenge and a hope:
“Let us not regulate our way to ethics. Let us live our way to it.”