Sumant Sinha Recognised among 2021 SDG Pioneers by UNGC

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) recognised Sumant Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director of ReNew Power among ten 2021 SDG Pioneers.

SDG Pioneers are business leaders selected by UNGC for doing an exceptional job to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of the UNGC ten principles on human rights, environment, labor, and anti-corruption.

This year’s global search focused on professionals working at any level in a company participating in the UN Global Compact and the winners selected come from every continent. Sumant Sinha of ReNew Power was recognised as an SDG Pioneer of the year.

This honor comes in recognition of his work to advance access to clean and affordable energy (SDG 7).

As the leader of India’s leading renewable energy company, Sumant has set an example by building the core business of ReNew Power around the targets of SDG 7. 

Under his leadership, the renewable energy IPP has aligned its operations to the objectives of Agenda 2030 and has forged partnerships for achieving various SDGs, beyond just SDG 7. These partnerships include NGOs, research institutes, philanthropic foundations, private sector organizations and government agencies, thus working towards the targets of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).

The company has also been working towards women empowerment in rural India through the ReNew Women India initiative, in line with SDG 5. ReNew Power has been a participant in the UN Global Compact since 2016.

“Business has a critical role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at a time when progress has been set back by the Covid-19 pandemic. These ten exceptional professionals show exactly what can be done by business to make a difference that not only serves shareholders but also society at large. I hope our ten 2021 SDG Pioneers will also inspire others to join them in uniting business for a better world,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

The SDG Pioneer entries were judged by an expert panel composed of previous SDG Pioneers and representatives from the UN Global Compact Expert Network, academia, and UN agencies. The selection criteria included the individuals' commitment to embedding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into their companies' core strategies, their efforts to advance the SDGs, as well as their engagement with the UN Global Compact and its Local Networks. The 2021 SDG Pioneers were announced during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2021 on 16 June.

Commenting on the recognition, Sumant Sinha, Chairman and MD of ReNew Power said, “I would like to thank UNGC for this incredible honour. The role of the private sector in helping achieve the targets of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals is becoming increasingly critical. Let us hope businesses can gear themselves towards sustainability and climate change mitigation, and most importantly collaborate towards a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future. A green recovery is of paramount importance in the post-pandemic planet, and we must ensure that this recovery is accelerated through partnerships!”