Glipco Manufacturing Ltd., a large multinational company, which is well known for the charitable activities it takes up as part of its CSR programme, has experienced increasing pressure from stakeholders to formalize its

The inter-linkage between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lies in the fact that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 goals are integrated and recognises that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. CSR regulations in India require companies to spend 2% of their average profits of the previous three financial years on specified activities that promote the social good. SDGs and the Indian CSR regulations both were implemented around the same time and seemingly have a tremendous potential to develop a cohesive sustainable growth model. Moreover, SDGS and CSR thematic development areas share a lot of overlap in terms of activities needed to achieve either. CSR plays a vital role in attaining sustainable development. The Company has a social and moral responsibility towards protecting the environment. Recently this social and moral responsibility has been backed by rules and regulations. Many companies are focusing on environmental issues for their CSR activities. In the Indian context, the CSR leadership can quite easily correlate the prescribed areas of CSR spending with the 17 SDGs. Each of the areas prescribed for CSR expenditure enlisted in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 are coherent with SDGs. For example, CSR on eradicating hunger, poverty, malnutrition and promoting healthcare and sanitation may be linked to SDG goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Heath & Well Being) and 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation). Also, CSR on promoting education including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills and livelihoods enhancement projects, could be correlated with SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality Education) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). It is the need of the hour that the Companies need to broaden the horizon of their CSR policies and activities to align with global or national priorities and goals. Aligning CSR activities with global sustainability goals encapsulated within the 17 UN SDGs provide businesses the opportunity to achieve these social and business objectives as also meet international requirements. Few of the benefits of aligning CSR actions to SDG goals are as below: Aligning CSR activities with SDGs establish direct contributions to national and global targets of social, environmental and economic development/growth. A good economy or socially developed communities expand the market and people's purchasing power increases, which ensure further growth of markets. The measurable contribution with larger goals can enhance corporate reputation, which can add great value to help establish a responsible brand. The socially conscious millennial consumer is vying for responsible brands and do not hesitate to spend extra bucks to buy the product with such a reputation. Sustainable business practices and ethical business are increasingly becoming mandatory requirements to enter and grow in the mature markets globally. Adopting sustainability practices aligned with CSR initiatives can help grow business globally.