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Gagan Bihari Patnaik
Head of Sustainability & ESG
In today's business landscape, the role of a Head of Sustainability is crucial in driving an organization's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of environmental regulations and corporate responsibility but also demands a strategic mindset to maneuver challenges and align different departments toward common sustainability goals. Their work often results in the company earning prestigious accolades, recognizing their commitment to sustainable growth and innovation. Gagan Bihari Patnaik, the Head of Sustainability at Refex Group, exemplifies such leadership. With over two decades of experience across the Middle East and India, Gagan has been instrumental in developing and implementing sustainability strategies from the ground up. His initiatives have garnered significant recognition, including several prestigious awards for the companies he worked for. Among his notable achievements is a special appreciation from the US Army C orps o f E ngineers for o btaining B ahrain's first-ever LEED certification in 2013. At Larsen & Toubro (L&T), he led the environmental division to win the Golden Peacock Award in 2020 and the International Green Apple Award in 2021.
Currently, at Refex Group, Gagan has been pivotal in the company being named the Best Diversified Sustainable Company by the CSR Excellence Award, UK. The company’s sustainability report also won the Best Integrated Report, Asia, by CSR International, Singapore. In 2024 also, his exemplary leadership led Refex Industries to achieve remarkable international acclaim, earning three prestigious awards: the Green Apple Environmental Management Award from the Green Organisation, UK, and two GRIT Awards from CorpStage, Singapore, in the categories of ESG Excellence and Best Waste Management Solutions. His exceptional leadership earned him the title of ESG & Sustainability Leader of the Year (India) in 2023. Gagan’s global education and credentials, including his certifications as a Chartered Environmentalist (IEMA,UK), LEED AP (USGBC), and Sustainability Excellence Professional (ISSP,USA), Certified ESG Analyst (EFFAS, Germany) with a diploma in ESG, have significantly contributed to his success as a sustainability leader. He is also a post graduate in Civil-Environmental engineering and currently pursuing the Senior Management Program from IIM Ahmedabad. Let's read on.
How have your experiences contributed to establishing and advancing Corporate Sustainability/ESG Strategies in your current organization?
I feel fortunate to have spent the last 22 years working with various companies across diverse geographies, including the USA, the entire Middle East, and India. My roles have spanned multiple sectors such as Travel and Tourism, EPC, Oil and Gas, Industrial Gases, Heavy Engineering, Logistics, Pharma, and Renewables. This exposure has helped me grasp the unique needs and expectations of different industries and management styles, as well as the skill sets required to succeed.
Navigating these diverse environments has taught me how to reconcile differences and challenges to achieve common goals and excellence. My leadership roles across various sectors have also compelled me to continuously enhance my skills in an evolving ecosystem, pushing me to pursue knowledge, competencies, and effective management techniques relentlessly. These experiences have proven invaluable in shaping and driving Corporate Sustainability and ESG strategies in both my current organization and my previous ones.
How do you keep up with the latest trends and practices in sustainability?
I strongly believe that learning is a lifelong journey that continues until our last breath. The sustainability and ESG landscape are constantly evolving and dynamic. Initially a voluntary initiative, it has now become a statutory requirement, driven by the increasing focus from all stakeholders, including regulators, customers, suppliers, investors, employees, and communities. Staying updated on the latest sustainability trends and practices comes with its challenges.
To navigate this, I remain vigilant about new developments by following policymakers and reputable news outlets from leading consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, HBR, and ESG Today. Additionally, I actively attend conferences and engage in continuous education and training to acquire the latest skills and knowledge in the field.
Given your experience in both national and international markets, how do you incorporate diverse perspectives to lead your team?
Team building and mentoring are deeply important to me. A cohesive and knowledgeable team is essential for the success and performance excellence of any department. Having worked across different geographies and sectors, I have gained valuable insights into the latest trends, technologies, and industry demands. As a lifelong learner, I continuously seek new knowledge and skills. This commitment allows me to guide my team with a rich perspective drawn from my diverse experiences and education, as well as insights from working with cutting-edge trends in various markets.
Could you share a few examples of how you have designed and piloted a technology to reduce the environmental footprint?
As a sustainability professional, I have prioritized waste management and material circularity to reduce environmental impact. During a project in Bahrain for the US Navy, we faced significant challenges due to the lack of recycling and upcycling industries. To address this, I revised contract documents, making it mandatory for vendors to develop waste recycling plans. This led to the successful reuse of materials such as crushed concrete in road construction and reprocessed asphalt. Additionally, recovered structural steel, furniture, and interiors were sold, resulting in over 75 percent of materials being recycled or upcycled. In a separate project in India, I established sustainability KPIs to monitor waste, emissions, and resource consumption, leading to programs that reduced the organization's environmental footprint. After three years of consistent implementation, these efforts were recognized by the Golden Peacock Award from IOD, New Delhi, in 2020 for our achievements in reducing negative environmental impacts.
What future roadmap do you envision for your journey moving forward?
In recent years, I have focused on shaping my work and influence to benefit humanity while simultaneously achieving the sustainability objectives of the organizations I serve. I have been designing and implementing CSR projects aimed at creating meaningful value. Soon, I plan to embark on my entrepreneurial journey, leading a sustainable company that will provide solutions and address societal needs and challenges.
In light of your strong professional experience, what would be your advice to budding industry leaders?
My advice to budding industry leaders is to integrate sustainability into the core of your business strategy, not as an afterthought. Understand different business functions and cultures, align them with sustainability goals, and continuously learn. Adaptability and a proactive mindset are key to driving long-term impact. Focus on creating meaningful value, and lead by example to foster transformative change.
Gagan Bihari Patnaik, Head of Sustainability & ESG, Refex Group
Gagan Bihari Patnaik, Head of Sustainability & ESG at Refex Group, is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in designing and implementing sustainability and ESG strategies across India and the Middle East. His expertise in carbon reduction, water stewardship, waste management, material circularity, and environmental impact reduction has earned him multiple prestigious awards and industry recognition.