Sustainability & ESG
Interview Preparation Notes
Masters' Union PGP in Sustainability & Business Management
Prepared for Adwitaa Negi | May 2026
These notes cover everything you need to walk into your interview with confidence: the SDGs, global climate
policy, India-specific mandates, ESG frameworks, greenwashing, tax incentives, and the big picture. Read them,
understand them, make them yours.
SECTION 1: THE SDGs — SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
What Are the SDGs?
The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are 17 global goals adopted by all 193 UN (United Nations)
member states in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They replaced
the earlier MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and are meant to guide global policy, investment, and action
until 2030. They recognise that economic growth, social wellbeing, and environmental protection are deeply
interconnected.
There are 17 goals, 169 targets, and over 230 indicators used to track progress.
The 17 SDGs at a Glance
SDG Goal What it means in simple terms
1 No Poverty End poverty in all forms everywhere
2 Zero Hunger End hunger, achieve food security, promote sustainable agriculture
3 Good Health & Well-being Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages
4 Quality Education Inclusive and equitable quality education for all
5 Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6 Clean Water & Sanitation Access to safe water and sanitation for all
7 Affordable & Clean Energy Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, modern energy
8 Decent Work & Economic Growth Promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth and decent work
9 Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote industrialisation
10 Reduced Inequalities Reduce inequality within and among countries
11 Sustainable Cities & CommunitiesMake cities inclusive, safe, resilient, sustainable
12 Responsible Consumption & Production
Sustainable consumption and production patterns
13 Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14 Life Below Water Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, marine resources
15 Life on Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful, inclusive societies
17 Partnerships for the Goals Strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development
SDG Progress: Where Does the World Stand?
The honest answer: not great. The UN SDG Report 2025 is the tenth annual stocktake, and the picture is
sobering.
- Only 17% of SDG targets are on track. Nearly half show minimal or moderate progress, and over
one-third are stalling or going backwards.
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on
Land) and SDG 16 (Peace & Justice) are particularly off track.
- The COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, climate chaos and geopolitical tensions have all hit
progress hard.
- Finland, Sweden and Denmark top the 2025 SDG rankings globally.
- The annual financing gap for developing countries has surged to approximately $4 trillion. Total annual
investment needed: $5-7 trillion.
Source: UN SDG Report 2025; Sustainable Development Report 2025 (Sachs et al.)
GOOD TO KNOW: The SDGs are described as 'integrated' — meaning progress (or failure) on one goal affects
others. For example, poverty (SDG 1) makes climate adaptation (SDG 13) harder. This systems-thinking angle is
perfect to bring up in an interview.
SECTION 2: GLOBAL CLIMATE POLICY — THE BIG
FRAMEWORKS
The Paris Agreement (2015)
The Paris Agreement is the landmark international climate treaty adopted at COP21 (21st Conference of the
Parties) in Paris on December 12, 2015. It came into force on November 4, 2016. As of January 2026, 194
countries are party to it.
Its three core goals:
1. Keep global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to
1.5°C.
2. Review countries' contributions to cutting emissions every five years (called NDCs — Nationally
Determined Contributions).
3. Provide climate finance to help poorer nations adapt and switch to renewable energy.
To limit warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and decline 43% by 2030.
Source: UNFCCC Paris Agreement page
Key COP Milestones
COP Year / Location Key Outcome
COP21 2015, Paris Paris Agreement adopted. 1.5°C / 2°C targets set.
COP24 2018, Katowice Paris Rulebook agreed — how countries report and track emissions.
COP26 2021, Glasgow Paris Rulebook finalised. 'Phase down' of coal agreed (first time). $100B/yr climate finance reaffi
COP27 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh Loss & Damage Fund established for vulnerable nations hit by climate impacts.
COP28 2023, Dubai First Global Stocktake. Agreement to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030. Fir
COP29 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan Baku Climate Unity Pact. New climate finance goal: $300B/yr from developed nations by 2035, w
COP30 2025, Belem, Brazil Third round of NDCs due. Brazil presidency focused on Amazon, indigenous rights, nature.
Source: UNFCCC, Harvard EELP Paris Agreement Tracker, European Parliament briefing 2025
The US Withdrawal (2025)
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris
Agreement. The withdrawal became effective on January 27, 2026. The US — the world's second largest
emitter and largest historical emitter — now joins Libya, Yemen and Iran as the only non-signatories. This is a
major talking point in any sustainability interview in 2026.
Source: Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program (EELP)
NDCs — Nationally Determined Contributions
NDCs are each country's plan for how they will reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Countries submit
them every five years. The current round (NDC 3.0) was due in 2025. NDCs are the backbone of the Paris
Agreement — without ambitious NDCs, the 1.5°C goal is unachievable.
Carbon Markets — Article 6
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to trade carbon credits — meaning one country can fund
emission reductions in another and count it toward their own targets. This creates international carbon markets.
The rules for this were finally completed at COP29 in 2024, but real-world implementation is still lagging. As of
April 2025, only one actual trade had been completed (between Switzerland and Thailand in January 2024).
Source: Columbia CGEP, April 2025
SECTION 3: INDIA'S SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES & MANDATES
India's Panchamrit Goals (COP26, 2021)
At COP26 in Glasgow, India announced five ambitious climate targets known as the Panchamrit (five elements)
goals:
1. Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030
2. Source 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2030
3. Reduce projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes
4. Lower carbon intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030
5. Achieve net-zero emissions by 2070
Source: Lexology, February 2026
Progress So Far
India has already crossed 50% non-fossil share of electricity capacity in 2025 — achieving one NDC target five
years early. Renewable capacity grew fivefold since 2014 thanks to clean energy subsidies. India has also
established an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes through forest and tree cover.
Source: IISD India Energy Policy Report, December 2025
NAPCC — National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008)
India launched the NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change) in June 2008 — one of the first
countries to have a combined climate policy. It outlines 8 National Missions:
Mission Focus Area
National Solar Mission (NSM) Promote solar power; target 100 GW by 2022
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) Energy efficiency in industry and buildings
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat Sustainable urban planning, transport, waste
National Water Mission Water conservation, equitable distribution
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)
Glacier health, biodiversity in Himalayas
National Mission for a Green India (GIM) Afforestation, carbon sequestration
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) Climate-resilient farming
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate ChangeR&D
(NMSKCC)
and knowledge building on climate
Source: DST India, PMF IAS, Greenly Earth
CSR Mandate — Companies Act 2013, Section 135
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) became legally mandatory in India in 2014 under Section 135 of the
Companies Act, 2013. Any company with:
- Net worth of Rs. 500 crore or more, OR
- Turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore or more, OR
- Net profit of Rs. 5 crore or more
...must spend at least 2% of average net profit from the last three years on CSR activities.
India's total CSR spending grew from Rs. 10,000 crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 35,000 crore in FY 2024-25 —
more than threefold in a decade. Cumulative spend has crossed Rs. 2.3 lakh crore. Annual spending is
projected to cross Rs. 1,00,000 crore within the next few years.
Source: CSR Times, June 2025; CSR Summit India
SEBI's BRSR Framework
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) introduced the BRSR (Business Responsibility and
Sustainability Report) framework, making it mandatory for the top 1,000 listed companies in India.
Companies must disclose granular data on emissions, waste, supply-chain sustainability, and social impact.
This is India's version of ESG reporting standards.
Key frameworks BRSR aligns with: GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), ISSB (International Sustainability
Standards Board), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures).
Source: Earth5R, SEBI disclosures
SECTION 4: GOVERNMENT TAX INCENTIVES FOR GOING
GREEN
India has several financial incentives to encourage companies and individuals to invest in sustainability and
clean energy:
Incentive What it Does Legal Basis
Accelerated Depreciation Companies can claim up to 40% depreciation in the FIRST year on solar/wind
MNRE scheme,
investments
as of 2024
— reducing tax
10-Year Tax Holiday Companies involved in power generation get a 10-year income tax holiday.
SectionDrove
80-IA,17.3%
IncomeCAGR
Tax Act
in solar
1961 se
Green Bonds (Tax-Free Interest) Investors in India's green bonds get tax-free interest income. India has
Government
issued over
of $10
Indiabillion
policyin green bon
FAME Scheme (EVs) Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. Direct
Phase subsidies
2 launched
for2019,
EV purchase
extended+ twic
cha
Customs Duty Exemptions Machinery imported for setting up solar and wind plants is exempt from
Ministry
customs
of Commerce
duties
Section 35AD Deductions Tax deductions for investments in energy-efficient equipment and technologies
Income Tax Act
EV Loan Deduction (Section 80EEB)
Individuals can claim up to Rs. 1.5 lakh deduction on interest paid forIncome
EV loans
Tax(loans
Act sanctioned April 201
Source: KNAV CPA India, October 2024; Lexology February 2026
The Tension: Fossil Fuels vs Clean Energy
Here's a fact that's great for interview discussions: in FY 2024, fossil fuels contributed Rs. 9 lakh crore (USD
108 billion) annually to the Indian government's revenue — that's 16% of all government revenue.
Government support for fossil fuels remains five times the size of clean energy support, though this is the
lowest gap in five years. This creates a genuine policy tension — the government needs fossil fuel revenue even
as it pushes green transitions.
Source: IISD India Energy Policy 2025
SECTION 5: ESG — ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL &
GOVERNANCE
What is ESG?
ESG is a framework for evaluating a company's Environmental impact (carbon emissions, waste, water use),
Social responsibility (labour rights, diversity, community impact), and Governance quality (board structure,
transparency, anti-corruption). Unlike CSR (which is about spending), ESG is about how a company operates
across all its activities.
Key ESG Reporting Frameworks
Framework Full Form What it does
GRI Global Reporting Initiative Most widely used global standard for sustainability reporting
TCFD Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures
How companies report climate risks to financial stakeholders
ISSB International Sustainability Standards Board New global baseline for sustainability disclosures (IFRS S1, S2)
BRSR Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
India's SEBI-mandated framework for top 1000 listed companies
SASB Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Industry-specific sustainability standards
CDP Carbon Disclosure Project Global system for companies to disclose environmental data
Carbon Scopes — Scope 1, 2, 3
Scope What it covers Example
Scope 1 Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled byFuel
the burned
companyin a company's own vehicles or factory
Scope 2 Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat orElectricity
steam a company buys to power its offices
Scope 3 All other indirect emissions across the value chain —Supplier
upstream emissions,
and downstream
customer use of products, employee travel, waste di
Only 8% of Indian companies actually report Scope 3 emissions. Less than 15% align with GRI or TCFD. Source: 2024 study,
Journal of Environmental Management
Is India's ESG Scene Actually Improving?
The honest picture is: yes, but slowly, and with a lot of greenwashing still happening.
- A study of NIFTY 50 companies found 47% exhibit greenwashing characteristics, concentrated in
manufacturing and energy sectors.
- ESG is now directly linked to capital access: companies with strong ESG credentials access capital at
lower costs and deliver cumulative returns up to 12% higher after two years of focused engagement.
- The India ESG and Sustainability Consulting Market was valued at USD 320.8 million in 2024, growing at
8.2% CAGR through 2033.
Source: Springer Nature (2025 study), Free Press Journal March 2026, UniVDatos market research
SECTION 6: GREENWASHING — WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT
MATTERS
Greenwashing is when a company makes misleading or exaggerated claims about its environmental
credentials — using sustainability as a PR/branding tool without genuine action behind it.
India's New Anti-Greenwashing Rules
In June 2024, amendments to the Competition Act established stronger legal prohibitions. Companies must
now substantiate any environmental claims. Those who cannot face penalties of up to 3% of annual gross
global revenues. Citizens can file greenwashing complaints against companies from June 20, 2025.
Source: Little Green Myths, January 2025
Greenhushing is the opposite problem — companies stay silent about sustainability goals because they fear being
called out for greenwashing. Both are problems for genuine progress.
Why This Is Relevant to Your Interview
The shift from greenwashing to genuine ESG is exactly the transition you spoke about in your video essay. In
2026, ESG performance is no longer optional — it affects a company's cost of capital, its reputation, and
increasingly, its legal standing. The interview panel will appreciate a candidate who understands both the
opportunity AND the risk.
SECTION 7: KEY TERMS GLOSSARY
SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals — 17 global goals adopted by UN in 2015 for 2030.
2030 Agenda: The UN's master plan for sustainable development, within which the SDGs sit.
Paris Agreement: International climate treaty (2015) to keep warming below 2°C / 1.5°C.
COP: Conference of the Parties — annual UN climate conference.
NDC: Nationally Determined Contribution — each country's climate plan under Paris Agreement.
UNFCCC: UN Framework Convention on Climate Change — the treaty body that oversees COP.
IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — the UN's scientific climate body.
ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance — framework for corporate sustainability performance.
CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility — company obligations to society and environment.
BRSR: Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report — India's SEBI-mandated ESG disclosure.
SEBI: Securities and Exchange Board of India — India's capital markets regulator.
GRI: Global Reporting Initiative — most widely used global sustainability reporting standard.
TCFD: Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures — climate risk reporting framework.
ISSB: International Sustainability Standards Board — new global baseline for ESG disclosures.
NAPCC: National Action Plan on Climate Change — India's 2008 eight-mission climate strategy.
Scope 1/2/3: Categories of carbon emissions: direct, electricity-related, and value chain.
Net Zero: Balancing emissions produced with emissions removed — no net addition to atmosphere.
Carbon Markets: Systems where companies/countries trade carbon credits to offset emissions.
Article 6: Paris Agreement provision enabling international carbon credit trading.
Greenwashing: Misleading claims about environmental performance for brand/PR benefit.
Greenhushing: Staying silent on sustainability goals to avoid greenwashing accusations.
FAME Scheme: Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles — India EV subsidy.
MNRE: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — India's government body for clean energy.
Panchamrit: India's five climate targets announced at COP26, 2021.
Carbon Intensity: Amount of carbon emitted per unit of GDP or energy — key India NDC metric.
Loss & Damage: COP27 agreed fund to compensate vulnerable nations for climate-related losses.
NCQG: New Collective Quantified Goal — COP29's $300B/yr climate finance pledge by 2035.
Circular Economy: Economic model where waste is minimised by reusing, repairing, recycling materials.
SECTION 8: QUICK STATS TO DROP IN YOUR INTERVIEW
Scope Stat
Global Only 17% of SDG targets are on track as of 2025 (UN SDG Report 2025)
Global Annual SDG financing gap for developing countries: ~$4 trillion (UN)
Global COP29 agreed $300B/yr from developed nations + $1.3 trillion overall by 2035
Global 194 countries party to the Paris Agreement (as of Jan 2026; US withdrew Jan 27, 2026)
India CSR spending: Rs. 10,000 cr (2014) → Rs. 35,000 cr (FY2024-25). Cumulative: Rs. 2.3 lakh cr
India 47% of NIFTY 50 companies show greenwashing characteristics (Springer Nature, 2025)
India Only 8% of Indian companies report Scope 3 emissions (JEM study, 2024)
India India crossed 50% non-fossil electricity capacity in 2025 — NDC target met 5 yrs early
India Renewable capacity grew 5x since 2014 (IISD, 2025)
India India ESG Consulting Market: USD 320.8 million (2024), growing at 8.2% CAGR to 2033
India Fossil fuels = Rs. 9 lakh crore (USD 108B) = 16% of all govt revenue in FY2024
India Govt support for fossil fuels is still 5x the size of clean energy support (IISD, 2025)
India Green bonds issued by India: over $10 billion as of 2024
India Solar sector: 17.3% CAGR between 2015 and 2023
India 80% of large Indian companies now link executive compensation to ESG-linked goals
Global ESG Indian firms pursuing ESG targets show cumulative returns up to 12% higher over 2 yrs
INTERVIEW TIP: You don't need to memorise every number. Pick 4-5 stats that feel natural to you and practise
saying them out loud. The best use of data in an interview is when it supports a point you're making — not when
it's recited like a list. Your personal angle (WageIndicator, SDGs through labour rights, conviction vs compliance)
is your strongest asset. Let the data back it up.