In a world of escalating climate disruptions and rising investor expectations, Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mahindra Group, is navigating the complex terrain of green transformation with clarity and conviction.
Words by Karan Karayi
In boardrooms, on global platforms, and across the many businesses that form the Mahindra Group, sustainability is foundational to how the conglomerate defines long-term growth. At the centre of this strategic shift is Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mahindra Group. As the spearhead of group-wide efforts on sustainability, he is a soft-spoken but passionate advocate for what he calls “planet-positive businesses”.
His philosophy is rooted in balance. “There’s a misconception that climate action and economic growth are at odds. That’s not true. Climate outcomes and environment iterative outcomes can go hand in hand with economically accurate outcomes, absolutely,” he asserts. From renewable energy and energy efficiency to responsible material use, Todi points to a “clear win-win” in many areas where climate outcomes and business viability align. He points to the group’s push into EVs, net-zero resorts, and green real estate, and underlines that these aren’t simply compliance-led—they are business models for the future.
But he is pragmatic enough to understand the enormity of the task at hand, and doesn’t downplay the complexities. “Not every action has an immediate business case. There are activities driven by regulation, and others where negative externalities haven’t been priced in yet.”
That’s where Mahindra’s planet-positive mission steps in—embedding sustainability at both operational and strategic levels. The approach has two pillars. The first focuses on direct operations—reducing emissions, ensuring water positivity, managing waste scientifically, and sourcing or generating 100% renewable energy. The second involves transforming the group’s portfolio to include green businesses like EVs, net-zero real estate, sustainable holidays, and clean energy. “It’s about what you do inside the company—and what you do across the ecosystem,” he explains.
A large part of this ecosystem work is in the supply chain, where Mahindra is hand-holding partners toward greener practices. “The degree of influence varies by sector, but positive advocacy, capability building, and working with innovative startups are all part of the effort,” he adds.
While the green shoots of sustainability are starting to blossom, there is a lot more to be done, even as awareness and conversations start to take on a more strategic hue. “The frequency of conversations and the depth of engagement are constantly increasing, and government support is also very strong. So at least in the Indian context, there are a number of climate policies which are coming up. In fact, it’s happening at a very high frequency, which will impact a lot of sectors and how they are reacting to it. Generally speaking, there’s a lot of support for more action in this ecosystem.”
Todi also engages deeply with regulatory developments, both in India and internationally. From extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations to emission intensity reduction policies, he believes pragmatic, industry-aligned policymaking is essential. And he brings that nuance to global forums like COP and the World Economic Forum, championing India’s unique decarbonisation journey while promoting cross-learning.
“There’s growing alignment among governments, long-term investors, and businesses that environmental goals and economic development must go hand in hand,” he says. His optimism is grounded in tangible progress—from drip irrigation in agriculture to pilot programmes in tire recycling and waste innovation.
Ultimately, though, his strongest insight is a personal one. “Sustainability leaders must be multilingual—not in languages, but in stakeholder engagement,” he says. In other words, they must translate climate action into terms that resonate with business heads, regulators, supply chain partners, and investors alike.
In Todi’s hands, sustainability at Mahindra isn’t just about targets—it’s about transforming intent into enduring impact, and we’ll let him have the last word on building a better planet. “There needs to be a sense of urgency. But I think at the same time, we’ll be we’ll have to be pragmatic about how we make sure that it happens in a manner that we are able to bring everyone along. Only then will real change happen.”
