AI Meets Sustainability: Sustainext Powers ESG Success

Sustainext, a Bengaluru-based AI-powered sustainability platform founded in 2022, empowers businesses to navigate the complex world of ESG and carbon management with precision and ease. By combining advanced technology with deep domain expertise, the company streamlines sustainability workflows—automating data collection, enabling real-time GHG emissions tracking, and ensuring full traceability across operations.

Its robust SaaS platform delivers end-to-end emissions inventory management aligned with global frameworks such as the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064. At the same time, it simplifies ESG reporting by automating disclosures across major international standards including GRI, CDP, SASB, TCFD, and others.

But Sustainext doesn’t stop at technology. It pairs its platform with expert-led consulting that spans materiality assessments, scenario analysis, and net-zero strategy formulation. This hybrid model enables organizations—whether SMEs or global enterprises—to make informed, data-driven sustainability decisions at every stage of their ESG journey.

Moreover, the company helps clients benchmark progress, set science-based targets, and stay ahead of evolving regulatory demands. With a delivery model that emphasizes affordability, automation, and scalability, Sustainext seamlessly aligns sustainability strategy with execution—positioning itself as the preferred partner for enterprises committed to measurable climate action.

At the Renewables Summit 2025 hosted by Mercom India, The Interview World caught up with Gagan Ganapathy, Head – Sales Operations at Sustainext, for an exclusive conversation. Gagan spotlighted how their ESG SaaS platform empowers businesses to achieve excellence in sustainability reporting. He offered insights into their expanding client base and explained how the platform transforms ESG data into actionable intelligence—driving better decisions and long-term impact.

He also emphasized how Sustainext has helped clients enhance business performance and elevate their position on leading sustainability indices.

Here are the key takeaways from this insightful dialogue.

Q: How does Sustainext’s ESG SaaS platform empower companies to streamline and elevate their sustainability reporting and ESG performance management?

A: Let me give you a quick high-level overview of Sustainext. We’re an ESG-focused SaaS platform that empowers companies to streamline their sustainability reporting with ease and accuracy.

Think of us as a comprehensive, one-stop solution for all ESG needs. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Sustainext operates across industries and frameworks—we are both framework-agnostic and industry-agnostic. Whether a company is just beginning its ESG journey or looking to enhance its sustainability disclosures, we provide the technology and expertise to support every stage.

We serve a global clientele, with active engagements across India, the United States, Canada, Australia, and an expanding presence in Europe. Our platform is fully aligned with leading ESG reporting frameworks, enabling clients to meet diverse regulatory and stakeholder expectations effortlessly.

In short, if a business needs to disclose sustainability or ESG data, Sustainext delivers the tools and support to get it done—efficiently, accurately, and at scale.

Q: Could you share some insights on your current client base—how many organizations are currently using your platform?

A: Currently, we serve over 100 clients across a wide range of industries. While our platform caters to diverse sectors, we place a strong emphasis on manufacturing—a segment that generates significant emissions and demands rigorous sustainability oversight.

That said, our reach extends well beyond manufacturing. We actively support organizations across multiple domains, helping each navigate their unique ESG and sustainability challenges.

In short, our growing and diverse client base reflects both the flexibility of our platform and the critical need for robust ESG solutions across industries.

Q: How is your platform helping clients translate ESG data into actionable insights for better decision-making and long-term sustainability?

A: Today, sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a mandate. Investors increasingly demand that companies adopt and demonstrate responsible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices before committing capital. In fact, ESG compliance has become a standard requirement in most venture capital and institutional funding decisions. The global push toward reducing carbon emissions has made sustainable operations a critical factor in investment readiness.

As a result, companies are taking sustainability seriously. They are now actively disclosing their ESG performance through formal sustainability reports. Previously, organizations would rely on basic CSR disclosures—highlighting initiatives like supporting schools or tree plantation drives—without presenting measurable data. There was little transparency around operational emissions, social impact metrics, or governance structures.

That landscape has changed. Today, businesses are expected to report verifiable data—such as the carbon footprint of their buildings, their social policies, and their governance frameworks. In India, this shift has been formalized through the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) mandate, now compulsory for the top 1,000 listed companies. BRSR addresses India-specific ESG expectations, offering a localized framework for structured disclosure.

However, when companies operate globally—especially those exporting products abroad—they must comply with international standards. In such cases, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework becomes essential. GRI is widely accepted across markets and enables companies to share standardized sustainability data with global stakeholders. For instance, if an international client requests a sustainability report, a GRI-aligned disclosure meets that requirement, whereas a BRSR report may not suffice.

Each region has its own ESG frameworks. Our platform is fully aligned with all major global and regional standards. Whether a company is operating domestically or exporting to multiple markets, we ensure full compliance with the relevant reporting frameworks.

In short, Sustainext functions as a true one-stop solution—equipping businesses with the tools to meet evolving ESG expectations, both in India and worldwide.

Q: Can you share how Sustainext has contributed to your clients’ business growth and improved their standing on sustainability indices?

A: Just as organizations meticulously track financial data—monitoring operational costs, revenue, and profit margins—they must now apply the same rigor to ESG data. Financial transparency has long been fundamental to business success. Today, sustainability disclosure is becoming equally critical.

In fact, ESG metrics have started to feature prominently in business development processes. For example, responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) now often requires a dedicated section on sustainability. To qualify, companies must demonstrate that they follow sustainable practices and can back them with credible reports. Without this, they risk being disqualified—regardless of their technical or financial merit.

Moreover, this trend is not limited to large enterprises. Even small and medium-sized businesses must adapt. If an SME supplies a listed company, it becomes part of that company’s Scope 3 emissions—which includes emissions generated throughout the supply chain. Listed companies, under regulatory and investor pressure, increasingly require their vendors to follow sustainable practices. In other words, sustainability has become a prerequisite for market access.

This shift is driving widespread change. As large buyers enforce ESG standards downstream, sustainability compliance becomes essential for every business in the value chain. Companies that proactively align with these expectations gain a competitive edge—not only in meeting RFP criteria but also in securing long-term partnerships.

As a result, more organizations are beginning to disclose their ESG data and formalize their sustainability strategies. The market is clearly evolving. While ESG adoption may still move slowly in some sectors—often seen as a lower priority—its importance continues to rise.

Ultimately, sustainability is no longer just a corporate responsibility—it’s a strategic business imperative. Companies that embrace this early will lead the way in a rapidly changing regulatory and market environment.