VIA & Climatora Conducts ESG for SMEs Awareness Workshop

VIA & Climatora Conducts ESG Awareness Workshop
under RAMP-SIP Project of Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University

Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) in collaboration with Climatora successfully conducted an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Awareness Workshop for VIA members on 13th February 2026 at VIA Auditorium, Nagpur. The workshop was organised as part of the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) – Skill India Project, implemented under the aegis of the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University (RTMSSU).

The session aimed to build ESG readiness among MSMEs, strengthen their sustainability practices, and prepare them for future compliance requirements under BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting). With global supply chains increasingly adopting ESG metrics, the workshop emphasized the importance of responsible business conduct and sustainability-linked competitiveness for MSMEs in manufacturing and services.

The workshop covered key topics including Importance of ESG for MSMEs and export-linked industries, Overview of global frameworks (GRI, TCFD, SDGs, TNFD), Introduction to India’s BRSR, BRSR Core and BRSR Lite requirements, ESG risks and opportunities for MSMEs, Practical roadmap for ESG implementation.

Earlier, CA Girish Deodhar, Chairman of VIA MSME Forum made an opening remark and said ESG practices are vital for SMEs to achieve long-term sustainability, improve brand credibility, and attract investors. By adopting ESG, SMEs can reduce costs through energy efficiency, meet regulatory and supply-chain requirements, and strengthen their competitiveness in domestic and export markets.

VIA President, Prashant Mohota in his welcome address said ESG adoption enables SMEs to access finance, retain large buyers, cut costs through efficiency, manage climate and social risks, strengthen reputation, gain competitive advantage, and stay prepared for evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements.

Prashant Mohota welcomed Debadutta Upadhyaya, Managing Partner Climatora with floral bouquet and memento, Ashish Doshi, Vice President – VIA welcomed Shailesh Amonkar, Managing Partner, Climatora with floral bouquet and memento and Dr J P Dash, General Manager BoG Secretary of National Academy Of Defence Production welcomed Shailesh Telang, APAC Head, EnergyTag with floral bouquet and memento, and senior officials from partner industries, who appreciated the initiative and highlighted the need for structured ESG capacity building in the region.

Dr. Suresh Pandilwar, Chairman of VIA HRD Forum, summarized the key takeaways of the workshop and proposed a formal vote of thanks, expressing sincere appreciation to all speakers, partners, and participants for their valuable contributions in making the ESG awareness initiative a meaningful and successful programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Debadutta Upadhyaya shared that ESG adoption is no longer optional for MSMEs aiming for global market integration. The workshop was designed to equip enterprises with foundational understanding and actionable steps to begin their sustainability journey. The initiative aligns with the RAMP-SIP program’s mission to enhance competitiveness, improve compliance culture, and prepare MSMEs in Maharashtra for emerging green jobs and climate-aligned regulations. She said Climatora will continue to collaborate with industry associations and government bodies to deliver ESG awareness programmes, consulting support, and green skilling interventions across the state.

The programme saw a good participation from representatives from industry as well as academia.
Dear Members,