At SHRMIAC’24, the conversation was not just about profits or performance metrics—it was about something much bigger: the green shift. As the world hurtles towards a more sustainable future, businesses are finding that sustainability is no longer just a box to tick. It’s becoming the competitive edge that defines future success. And at the heart of this transformation? Human Resources.
Sukhjit S Pasricha, G-CHRO, InterGlobe, Dimple Kaloya, head HR, global operations, HSBC, and Sitaram Kandi, CHRO, Tata Motors, took the stage to share their experiences on how HR is leading the charge towards sustainability, transforming not just operations but also culture and workforce strategies. Moderated by Nitya Vijaykumar from SHRM India, the discussion made one thing clear: HR is no longer just a support function—it’s the catalyst for sustainable success.
Embedding sustainability at the core
When Sukhjit S Pasricha spoke, he didn’t just talk about sustainability as a corporate responsibility—he framed it as a strategic decision. “Take Indigo’s A320 Neo aircraft, for instance. These planes are 15 per cent more fuel-efficient and 50 per cent quieter. They’re not just reducing costs; they’re redefining how we compete in the airline industry.”
His point was simple: sustainability is not an add-on. It’s woven into every strategic decision, and HR has a pivotal role in ensuring that employees understand and support these goals. It’s HR’s job to make sure sustainability isn’t just a policy, but part of the company’s DNA.
“Sustainability has to be more than an idea. It needs to be a shared belief.”
Sukhjit S Pasricha, G-CHRO, InterGlobe
For Pasricha, that starts with hiring the right people—those who are passionate about making a difference. But it doesn’t end there. Training programmes and internal communications need to constantly reinforce how individual actions contribute to larger environmental goals. “Sustainability has to be more than an idea. It needs to be a shared belief,” Pasricha explained.
The green shift as a talent magnet
Dimple Kaloya’s experience at HSBC showed another facet of sustainability’s rising influence: its power to attract top talent. “Sustainability isn’t just a compliance issue anymore. It’s becoming a core part of our employer brand,” she said, noting how younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, increasingly seek out employers who align with their values.
HSBC’s push for sustainable financial products like green bonds and loans is one way they’ve made sustainability part of their mission, but Kaloya stresses that HR needs to take it further. In today’s talent market, where employees are looking for more than just a paycheck, companies need to embed sustainability into their employee value proposition (EVP). This means showing new hires and current employees how their roles contribute to larger, impactful goals.
“Sustainability isn’t just a compliance issue anymore. It’s becoming a core part of our employer brand.”
Dimple Kaloya, head HR, global operations, HSBC
But sustainability isn’t just a recruiting tool—it’s a leadership imperative. “Leaders set the tone,” Kaloya emphasised. HR’s role here is to develop future leaders who can balance profitability with sustainability, ensuring that environmental goals remain a priority even amid business pressures.
Building a workforce for a green future
Sitaram Kandi at Tata Motors, took the audience through the nuts and bolts of preparing for a sustainable future. At Tata Motors, sustainability isn’t theoretical—it’s tangible, visible in the company’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs). “EVs are the future, and that future requires a whole new set of skills,” Kandi explained.
“Creating a culture that embraces sustainability is just as important as developing technical skills.”
Sitaram Kandi, CHRO, Tata Motors
For HR, this presents a unique challenge and opportunity. The workforce needs to be upskilled, not just in terms of technical proficiency, but in understanding the company’s broader sustainability mission. Targeted learning and development programmes that focus on green technologies and sustainable innovation are essential. And Kandi was quick to point out that this shift isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about mindset. “Creating a culture that embraces sustainability is just as important as developing technical skills.”
Managing this transition requires careful handling. Employees need to understand why changes are happening and how they benefit from them. For Kandi, the key is engagement: “When employees are involved and aligned with the company’s sustainability goals, they’re far more likely to support the transition.”
Creating a culture of green
A recurring theme from all the speakers was the importance of creating a company-wide culture where sustainability is a shared value. HR is uniquely positioned to lead this effort, not just through recruitment but by embedding sustainability into every stage of the employee experience—from onboarding to career development.
Pasricha, Kaloya, and Kandi all agreed that recognition is a powerful motivator. Rewarding employees for their contributions to sustainability, whether through formal awards or informal acknowledgements, reinforces the idea that environmental responsibility is everyone’s job. Internal communications campaigns, cross-departmental projects, and leadership modelling are all tools HR can use to make sustainability a visible and celebrated part of the company’s mission.
Leadership and accountability
One of the most important takeaways from the session was that leadership at all levels is essential to driving sustainability efforts. As Kandi pointed out, it’s not enough for senior executives to champion green initiatives—leaders at every level need to be held accountable. That’s where performance management systems come into play. By tying sustainability metrics to individual performance, companies can ensure that everyone, from the top down, is responsible for making progress toward environmental goals.
Performance reviews, goal-setting, and even compensation structures can be adapted to reflect sustainability priorities. When employees see that their efforts in reducing their environmental impact are recognised and rewarded, the momentum towards sustainability grows.
HR: The unsung hero of sustainability
As the session drew to a close, one thing was clear: HR is at the heart of this green transformation. Whether it’s shaping a sustainability-oriented workforce, developing green leaders, or embedding environmental goals into the company’s culture, HR’s role is critical in ensuring that sustainability moves from a lofty ideal to a competitive reality.
Sustainability is no longer just about compliance or reducing carbon emissions—it’s about building organisations that can thrive in a world where environmental concerns are becoming central to every business decision. For HR leaders, the challenge is to align talent management strategies with these goals, ensuring that employees not only have the skills but the mindset to drive sustainable success. As the green shift accelerates, HR’s role as the steward of this change will only become more important.