CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN INDIA: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND POLICY CHALLENGES

In India, corporate environmental responsibility has become a significant part of environmental governance, reflecting the rising expectation that businesses should do more than just follow the law when it comes to sustainable development. CER is based on environmental clearance and project specific legal requirements, in contrast to corporate social responsibility, which is mostly associated with social welfare and charitable commitments. The study examines at the legislative framework that governs CER in India and analyses the policy issues that affect how well it is implemented. It looks at how CER aims to make sure that businesses engaged in environmentally sensitive operations are accountable for reducing ecological damage, assisting local communities, and restoring environmental balance in impacted regions. Despite its importance, CER confronts several difficulties, including lax enforcement, inconsistent application, low transparency, and inadequate result monitoring. CER measurements are still fragmented and seen as external rather than internal to business decision making in many cases. This research holds significant importance within the framework of India’s endeavors to harmonize industrial development with environmental conservation and the well-being of communities.
Keywords- Corporate, Environment, Responsibility, Sustainability, Policy, Challenges.