Neetu Goel
MSME And Sustainability Expert
New Delhi
Summary
ESG and responsible business professional with 13+ years of experience embedding sustainability across manufacturing supply chains — from carbon reduction strategy and energy efficiency interventions to occupational health & safety programs and CSR implementation. Delivered measurable environmental impact through multi-year EU-funded programs: coordinated with five national and international partners to achieve ~15% energy savings across 500 foundries and improved working conditions in 200 units across Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. Co-developed India’s first GRI-based Aggregate Sustainability Reporting framework, enabling structured ESG disclosures for supply chain enterprises that previously had no reporting infrastructure. Designed and executed sustainability training programs for 1,000+ MSMEs and 50+ industry associations on energy efficiency, lean manufacturing, OHS, and government sustainability schemes. Experienced in feasibility studies for circular economy initiatives including waste reuse, scrap recycling, and carbon aggregation in industrial clusters. Currently leading preparation of 50 national-level detailed project reports for the Ministry of MSME through Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.
Overview
1
1
Language
2
2
Certifications
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant — Sustainability & Project Design
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
12.2024 - Current
- Led preparation of 50 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Technology and Extension Centres under MoMSME, integrating sustainability indicators — energy efficiency benchmarks, environmental compliance parameters, and social impact metrics — into project design through multi-stakeholder consultations across Indian states.
- Developed end-to-end evaluation framework for FICCI FLO Women Entrepreneur Awards — designing award categories, scoring criteria, and assessment methodology aligned with SDGs covering gender equality, decent work, and innovation; independently evaluated all-India applications with the Jury panel.
- Driving business development for sustainability advisory services, engaging prospective government and corporate clients for ESG-aligned project opportunities across multiple states.
Research Analyst (Consultant) — Sustainable Development & Natural Resources
INBAR (International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation)
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Engaged in ADB-funded research assessing bamboo resources, enterprise development needs, value chain analysis, and sustainable infrastructure opportunities across Northeast India — contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 1 (No Poverty).
- Engaged in preparing commprehensive analytical reports with actionable recommendations for climate-resilient bamboo value chains, informing policy decisions on sustainable livelihood strategies and green infrastructure development for rural communities.
- Mapped central and state-level MSME support schemes applicable to Northeast India.
Consultant — PMU for SFURTI (Sustainability & Cluster Interventions)
Ernst & Young LLP
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Appraised ~100 Detailed Project Reports for MSME cluster sustainability interventions, conducting economic, social, and environmental impact analyses aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) to determine eligibility for government funding.
- Designed standardized sustainability scorecards integrating ESG parameters for project shortlisting, improving evaluation consistency and reducing appraisal cycle time by ~20% — adopted as the standard methodology by the Ministry of MSME.
- Conducted training programs on Government of India sustainability-linked schemes for MSME clusters, building institutional capacity for scheme awareness and compliance.
Independent Consultant — Sustainability Policy & SDG Mapping
Freelance
09.2019 - 12.2020
- Compiled a comprehensive compendium of Government of India schemes, systematically mapping energy, environment, and social sustainability priorities to specific SDG targets — adopted as a reference tool by MSME support organizations and training institutions nationwide.
Senior Manager — Business Responsibility & ESG Programs
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC)
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Led EU-funded “Scaling up Sustainable Development of MSME Clusters” project (SDG 7, 8, 12, 13): coordinated 5 international partners across Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal to drive energy efficiency in 500 foundries and OHS interventions in 200 units, achieving ~15% average energy savings and measurable GHG emission reductions.
- Co-developed Aggregate Sustainability Reporting methodology with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) — a first-of-its-kind ESG data collection and reporting framework for India’s MSME sector, enabling structured sustainability disclosures aligned with GRI Standards and SDG reporting for enterprises with no prior reporting infrastructure.
- Organized and managed 3 national editions of “Awards for Responsible Indian BMOs,” evaluating 50+ organizations on sustainability, CSR performance, innovation, employment generation, and social outreach parameters; published compendium “Promoting Responsible Business by BMOs” (3 volumes).
- Designed and delivered CSR and sustainability training programs reaching ~1,000 MSMEs and 15+ BMOs across foundry, textiles, pumps goods, and plastics sectors on energy efficiency, lean manufacturing, OHS, and government sustainability schemes.
- Facilitated sustainable finance linkages between MSMEs and financial institutions; created 51 FAQs resolving loan-related challenges and enabling access to green finance instruments for sustainable production.
- Conducted feasibility study for carbon aggregation centre in foundry cluster, evaluating circular economy opportunities including waste sand reuse and scrap recycling (SDG 12).
Executive — CSR & Sustainable Consumption
Confederation of Indian Industry — ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainability
05.2013 - 02.2014
- Coordinated EU-funded project “Sustainable Consumption in India” focused on the retail industry, engaging major retail chains and industry associations on responsible sourcing, sustainable supply chains, and consumer-facing sustainability communication.
- Managed relationships with international project partners and the European Union client, ensuring milestone delivery and reporting compliance across multi-stakeholder workstreams.
Associate / Manager — CSR, Innovation & Cluster Development
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC)
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Implemented GIZ-funded CSR program: conducted mapping study of sustainability gaps in MSME clusters, designed CSR action plans, and improved working conditions in foundry clusters aligned with SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 3 (Good Health).
- Managed DST-funded “Promoting Innovation in Clusters” project across 3 Haryana clusters: introduced energy-efficient foundry technology, new product designs, and joint marketing platforms; identified solid waste reuse and circular economy opportunities.
- Prepared Diagnostic Study Reports for UNIDO and DCMSME; trained Cluster Development Agents on sustainability assessment, ESG data collection, and stakeholder engagement methodologies.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Institute of Marketing And Management
New Delhi01.2008
BA Honours - Economics
University of Delhi
01.2005
Skills
Multi-Donor Project Mgmt (EU, UNIDO, GIZ)
ESG / Sustainability Reporting (GRI, BRSR)
OHS & Energy Efficiency
CSR Strategy & Program Management
Stakeholder Engagement & Materiality
Circular Economy & Waste Management
Training & Capacity Building
Supply Chain Sustainability & Due Diligence
Carbon Footprint & GHG Reduction
Green Finance & Sustainable Lending
DPR Preparation & Feasibility Studies
Problem-solving
Certification
OHSAS / ISO 45001 — Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
PUBLICATIONS & INTERNATIONAL SPEAKING
- “Greening of MSME Foundries — Challenges and Way Forward” — presented at CSR Workshop, Dubai (Institute of Directors); published in Indian Foundry Congress 2012 and in the book Corporate Social Responsibility
- “Enhancing Competitiveness of Small and Medium Size Foundries” — Minerals and Metals Review
- “Business Responsibility Issues among MSME Clusters — Magnitude and Way Forward” — study published by GIZ (2010)
- Articles on responsible business, zero-defect production, and sustainability in Foundry Review and SME World
LANGUAGES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Mobility: Open to global relocation | Indian passport holder
- Tools: MS Office Suite, GRI Reporting Frameworks, Stakeholder Mapping
Timeline
Consultant — Sustainability & Project Design
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
12.2024 - Current
Research Analyst (Consultant) — Sustainable Development & Natural Resources
INBAR (International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation)
05.2024 - 12.2024
Consultant — PMU for SFURTI (Sustainability & Cluster Interventions)
Ernst & Young LLP
01.2021 - 02.2022
Independent Consultant — Sustainability Policy & SDG Mapping
Freelance
09.2019 - 12.2020
Senior Manager — Business Responsibility & ESG Programs
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC)
01.2014 - 01.2019
Executive — CSR & Sustainable Consumption
Confederation of Indian Industry — ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainability
05.2013 - 02.2014
Associate / Manager — CSR, Innovation & Cluster Development
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC)
01.2008 - 01.2013
BA Honours - Economics
University of Delhi
MBA - Marketing
Institute of Marketing And Management