The Story of SAGE

A journey shaped by people, projects, and purpose. Below are the moments that made SAGE what it is today.

Building our team family

Building our team family

The heart of SAGE has always been our people. In the early years, team building was a journey of exploration. We were fortunate to be supported by former colleagues who stepped in to advise on HR, accounts, and operations simply because they believed in what we were creating.

Through trusted references, we welcomed Abija, Manju, and Sowmithri, who became pillars of SAGE. What defined them was not only competence but the care and ownership they brought to every project. Our bonds were strengthened in the toughest moments such as tight deadlines, complex deliverables, and high expectations. These were the times we realised we were more than professionals working together. We had become a team bound by a shared purpose.

Our culture: More than work

Culture at SAGE was never scripted. It emerged naturally through small, everyday practices. Lunchtime became a space to share food and stories. Snack breaks with fruits and nuts reflect care for one another’s wellbeing. Regular yoga sessions gave us pause and balance in the middle of busy schedules.

These may seem simple, yet over time they have shaped a culture that is grounded, warm, and resilient. It is not defined by posters on the wall but by how we show up for one another every day.

Our culture
Projects that shaped us

Projects that shaped us

Our work has always been rooted in the conviction that sustainability must be credible, contextual, and co-created. We do whatever it takes, to ensure that the world is a sustainable place.

With Hero Moto Corp, we contributed to materiality analysis, supply chain guidance, GRI reporting, climate risk frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. Their commitment was clear: they sought co-creators, not just consultants.

With Sanmaan Exports and ReWrap, we co-developed a five-pillar sustainability framework and their B Corp certification. This framework wove together traceability, responsible sourcing, ethical conduct, inclusive workplaces, support for artisans, and environmental responsibility.

With the Public Affairs Centre, we developed a bespoke sustainability implementation tool and dashboard. By working closely with stakeholders, we helped align programme goals with long-term impact pathways.

With the Indian Texpreneurs Federation, we designed the “India for Sure” campaign, highlighting entrepreneurs integrating sustainability into their businesses. This positioned Indian textile leaders as responsible global players.

With each of our clients, whether it was EcoVadis Assessment, or Product Carbon Footprinting, we are diligent and attentive, and show up joyfully for our clients.

Recognition along the way

Recognition was never our destination, but it affirmed our journey. Being named one of India’s Most Influential Sustainability Leaders in 2019 and receiving the 123 Power Women award in 2023 were reminders that empathy, rigour, and integrity do get noticed. These moments gave us visibility, opened new conversations, and lifted the spirit of the team.

Recognition along the way
Client voices

Client voices

SAGE Sustainability’s thorough, timely and detailed guidance enabled us to create a methodical structure to approach the evaluation, doing wonders for us.” by a client for whom we provided advisory on B Corp.

Subject matter expert with no compromise on delivery of content, richness, and gravity. To the point and straightforward approach.”

SAGE Sustainability made the EcoVadis assessment process easy to understand and provided practical steps to improve our practices.”

Learning through challenges

One of our biggest challenges has been the fragmented view of sustainability, often seen as a compliance requirement rather than a strategic priority. We learned to start with the client’s current perspective, then expand the conversation through tools tailored to their sector.

When projects evolved or expectations shifted, we responded with honesty and professionalism. We improved onboarding processes, added mid-point reviews, and asked sharper questions. Each challenge became an opportunity to strengthen trust.

Learning through challenges
The Green auditing tool

Innovation: The Green auditing tool

Our Green Auditing Tool was born from work with the Public Affairs Centre. It combined operational data with an assessment of institutional intent. The tool measured energy, water, waste, people, and culture. It offered practical action, offering civil society organisations a structured way to embed sustainability.

Looking forward

Our mission has always been to enable ownership of sustainability from within. Through our guided traverse approach, we begin by walking closely with clients and gradually step back as they take the lead. This balance between support and independence has become central to how we work.

Looking forward
What defines us

What defines us

SAGE is defined by moments where learning turns into ownership and metrics gain meaning. From celebrating Hero MotoCorp’s Sustainability Excellence Award, to supporting Sanmaan’s B Corp certification that reflected dignity for women artisans, to guiding Mu Sigma towards EcoVadis Bronze, every project reminds us that sustainability is not a service. It is a relationship built on trust, rigour, and conviction.

Our promise

We enable organisations to take charge of their sustainability journey. We do not create dependency, we build capacity and clarity. Our work is anchored in four principles: Enable, Enrich, Co-create, and Impact.

From a small office in Whitefield to partnerships across industries, work delivered in five countries, our journey continues with one belief at its core: sustainability is about building organisations that reflect the future we want to live in.

Our promise

Welcome to SAGE Sustainability

Where purpose meets practice, and transformation is co-creative.