The Indian Apparel and Textile sector is at an interesting crossroads as the Ministry has set ambitious targets for both international and domestic markets. As the Industry gears up to deliver on these targets, sustainability and circularity become an important lever for the growth and development of the sector. However, this development needs to account for the unique set up of the Indian industry and explore cluster level initiatives. This is the time for the industry to lead the narrative on sustainability and define the roadmap for a collaborative and sustainable development.

The adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards is relevant not only because investors are more inclined to consider them in their investment decisions but also due to their potential positive impact on sustainable development. While ESG implementation is still mostly voluntary, governments around the world are increasingly integrating these standards into their legal frameworks. Thus, understanding how the law supports ESG adoption becomes essential. However, the law alone is not sufficient to ensure that companies apply these standards. Investment is also needed to guarantee that the impact of ESG practices is long-lasting. In this paper we present our findings on how legal frameworks of 10 countries support ESG standards implementation, and what funding alternatives are available, particularly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).