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3. Project History and Development
In February 2000 TERI launched an initiative called CoRE (Corporate Roundtable on
Development of Strategies for the Environment and Sustainable Development). It is a network of
motivated leading corporations and currently has 46 member companies. By coming together to
identify key problem areas in the field of industrial sustainability the network intends to develop
strategies for addressing them. CoRE signed a
Memorandum of understanding with World.
The vision of CoRE-BCSD India is to move
Business Council for Sustainable
towards environmentally sustainable growth
of the Indian Industry, which can be achieved
Development (WBCSD) in April 2002. Now
by addressing dual objectives of
known as CoRE Business Council for
environmental and economic excellence.
Sustainable Development (BCSD), the
initiative aims to co-ordinate findings from
Mr R.K.Narang, Chief of TERI CoRE-BCSD
the WBCSD and the Global Environmental
Management Initiative (GEMI).
TERI s partnership with the WBCSD and GEMI provides a place for corporations to explore and
exchange information regarding best practice in environmental management and sustainable
development. It also aims at strengthening the current activities of CoRE-BCSD India.
The mission of CoRE-BCSD India is to provide an independent and credible platform for
corporate leaders to address the issues related to sustainable development and to promote leadership
in environmental management, social responsibility and economic performance. The goals are to:
Enhance TERI s research capabilities through the CoRE-BCSD network
Gain a better understanding of existing and emerging sustainability concern facing
industry
Develop and disseminate appropriate strategies and decision-making tools that would
enhance the capabilities of professionals from environment, health, safety, and other
functions while bringing value to business
Create awareness of national and international best practices in the fields of technology,
management systems, and policy
Display corporate initiative and responsibility in adopting proactive environmental
strategies (through case studies and benchmarking surveys), and thereby encourage
other companies to follow
Use CoRE-BCSD as a channel for communicating with stakeholders and develop links
for implementing joint strategies to address environmental concerns
Establish links with national and international industry, trade, government and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) that would develop and implement joint work
programmes on environmental, health, and safety concerns
CoRE-BCSD holds regular (Annual, Steering Committee, CEO) meetings. The Steering
Committee has linkages with other organisations and associations, both national and international,
for promoting sustainable development.
4. Systems Development
The research team is developing two indicators that measure levels of environmental
sustainability. These are an eco-rating system (ERS) and a stakeholders collaboration. 4 The
ERS is a measurement system for corporations to use that is also being utilised as a feedback
mechanism for TERI. The stakeholders collaboration operates above facility-level, in an attempt to
highlight the importance of environmental issues to stakeholders when making financial decisions.
Such issues include the rehabilitation of degraded forests, the development of wasteland areas as
well as the more responsible management of supply chains.
4.1. Research and Development
At the second CoRE AGM in September 2000, five research areas were identified for TERI to
work on improving companies environmental practice, by researching common problems and
suggesting remedies. These are outlined below.
4.2 Green Belt Development
Green Belt Development is an attempt to limit the environmental impact of economic development
and industrialisation. TERI has developed techniques for the mass multiplication of pollutant
resistant trees through extensive research. It is intended to be of benefit for future developments
around cities, towns, mines and industrial sites. TERI is able to disseminate this information and
transfer the technology to the industrial sector.
4.3. Development of Eco-villages
Recent research has highlighted the correlation between environmental degradation and poverty. It
is estimated that 420 million people in India rely on forest resources for their livelihoods, making
forestry management crucial for the future of the economy and people of India. The eco-village
concept contains four elements, which are the participation of local people; the development of
eco-enterprises (which makes full use of sustainable forest resources); the development of farm
forestry systems, and the sustainable management of medicinal plants. TERI has researched the
eco-village concept, and has successfully implemented several projects including the Joint
Participatory Forest Management project in Haryana.
4.4. Hazardous Waste Inventory Management
It is crucial for industries generating hazardous waste to minimise the impact this has on the
environment and health of those living in the area in which they work. New legislation proposed by
the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in January 2000 has tightened regulation of corporate
activities in this area. Therefore, waste management plans are beneficial to help companies comply
with the new legislation, to assess their potential to reuse waste, to increase awareness amongst
managers and employees, and to help with the early identification of preventable emergencies.
TERI works with companies to improve upon their waste management plans.
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