FE Emerging Business Growth Workshops: Jaipur Meet to Spotlight How MSMEs Can Scale Through Sustainability

As climate considerations begin to shape business decisions across sectors, Indian MSMEs are increasingly recognising that sustainability is no longer an optional add-on but a competitive necessity. Rising energy costs, shifting customer expectations, and the growing importance of responsible supply chains are pushing MSMEs to rethink how they produce, operate and grow. Against this backdrop, the latest Jaipur edition of the FE Emerging Business Growth Workshops will host a focused gathering on December 12, 2025, that aims to equip local MSMEs with practical tools and a clearer understanding of how to begin this transition.

Co-powered by the We Mean Business Coalition and the SME Climate Hub, the half-day summit at Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre from 2:30 pm will bring together MSMEs, trade bodies, sustainability practitioners, and large buyers. This edition’s theme — Driving Sustainable Manufacturing and Climate Action Among MSMEs — reflects a growing recognition that small businesses play a pivotal role in shaping India’s low-carbon growth trajectory.

What makes this initiative significant is its strong focus on simplicity and actionability. The SME Climate Hub, which offers free tools and resources to help small businesses measure and reduce emissions, is steering the conversation in Jaipur toward what MSMEs can do today without major capital investments or operational disruption. For many enterprises, the path to sustainability begins with something as straightforward as tracking energy consumption or identifying small efficiency gaps in existing workflows.

The event is intended to demystify sustainability for small businesses and present it as a business opportunity rather than a compliance burden. Improved efficiency, lower input costs, and better access to buyers, especially those demanding responsible sourcing, are becoming tangible incentives for MSMEs to take early action. With global value chains increasingly prioritising transparency and climate-aligned operations, small manufacturers who adapt early can strengthen their market position.

The first panel of the day, “Decarbonising MSME Manufacturing,” will set the tone by exploring why sustainability has become essential to MSME competitiveness. Speakers including Anuj Mundhra of Nandani Creation, Pallavi Ahuja of SME Climate Hub, Suresh Agarwal from the Federation of Rajasthan Trade & Industry, and Varidhi Singh of CUTS International will discuss common barriers that small businesses face and how incremental changes, often overlooked, can deliver cost reductions and operational gains.

A standalone session led by Swapna Patil, India Program Lead at SME Climate Hub, will follow, offering MSMEs a structured starting point on emissions measurement and management. For many participants, this is expected to be one of the most useful segments, turning an abstract concept into a process that can be initiated during the workshop.

Supply-chain linkages, another critical piece of the sustainability puzzle, will take center stage in the second panel, “Building Climate-Resilient Supply Chains.” With participation from Dr Ajay Data of Data Group of Industries, DS Bhandari from the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Rajiv K Chawla of IamSMEofIndia and JaiRaj Group, the conversation will examine how partnerships between suppliers and buyers can reduce emissions, ensure business continuity, and open doors to new markets.

The programme will close with a fireside-style discussion on financing green and sustainable MSMEs, a theme gaining traction as lenders increasingly explore ESG-linked credit and incentives that reward low-carbon operations. The session will outline the kinds of financing mechanisms available for MSMEs looking to undertake green upgrades or efficiency improvements.

For Rajasthan’s manufacturing clusters, the Jaipur summit offers more than just an exchange of insights — it marks an opportunity to align with a global shift toward climate-conscious business practices. As MSMEs look for ways to stay resilient and competitive, sustainability is emerging not as a distant mandate but as a practical route to better performance and growth.