Ahmedabad: Gujarat Inc appears to be embracing the green agenda with renewed vigour. In Gujarat, CSR spending on environmental sustainability saw a 90% rise in 2023-24 — the sharpest increase among all social sectors. Companies operating in the state collectively spent Rs 419.60 crore on environment-related initiatives, nearly double the Rs 221.08 crore spent in the previous year.In fact, the jump is higher than the pan-India growth of 21% during the same period in the environment and sustainability sector, from Rs 2,008 crore to Rs 2,430 crore. Industry experts told TOI that the rise in funding clearly indicates a jump in focus towards sustainability for companies as it also helps them earn carbon credits and improve their ESG compliances overall. This jump in funding for the environment has come at a time when climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are front and centre in both public discourse and corporate boardrooms.Putting this in perspective, Pankaj Kamliya, chief operations officer, Gujarat CSR Authority (GCSRA), said, “Sustainability has become a key focus across Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem. Initiatives such as the Green Belt Development project in Sanand, being actively pursued by industries in coordination with the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), are examples of how industries are collaborating to create long-term ecological assets. SEZ zones are also increasingly promoting green infrastructure and sustainable practices.”“Many companies are proactively investing in CSR initiatives like Miyawaki forests and eco-restoration, which not only benefit local communities but also enhance their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and global rankings,” he further added. The push also appears to be stronger in industrial belts such as Jamnagar, Bharuch, and Vadodara, where many companies are investing in eco-restoration, emission control, and water reuse projects.While education continues to draw the largest slice of Gujarat’s CSR pie, environmental projects have climbed the priority ladder for many companies, particularly in heavy industry, petrochemicals, and infrastructure, among several others. Large firms with significant carbon footprints are not only responding to stricter ESG scrutiny from investors but also attempting to mitigate the social and ecological impact of their operations.“Environmental spending is no longer a token allocation. It has become strategic. We are seeing more interest in tree plantation drives, biodiversity restoration, and solarisation of community assets,” said an industry source. Gujarat’s overall CSR spending in 2023-24 stood at Rs 2,707.54 crore, with the environment now accounting for over 15% of the total outlay, up from 10% a year ago.