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Sustainability 100+ Summit in Karnataka drives collaboration and empowerment for sustainable growth
Mumbai: Marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future for Karnataka, the inaugural Sustainability 100+ Summit, a joint initiative by AB InBev India and Network18, successfully concluded on 7 February. The summit, themed “”Sustainable Future through Innovative Strategies in Climate Change and Water Stewardship” brought together prominent voices from government, industry, and civil society to discuss and drive collaborative action on critical sustainability challenges in the state. . Envisioned as a platform for transformative dialogue, the summit’s agenda was meticulously crafted around four crucial pillars: Climate Actions, Smart Agriculture, Water Stewardship, and Circular Packaging The Karnataka Government, a staunch advocate for sustainability, hailed Sustainability 100+ for its visionary initiative and underscored the pivotal role of unified action in realising our sustainable development goals.
The event featured a distinguished keynote address by the deputy chief minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, who emphasised the importance of collaboration and empowerment for achieving sustainable growth. Shivakumar said, As far as renewable energy is concerned, we have taken a leading effort. We have produced more than 10000 MW of renewable energy in the past two years. Let’s take it forward. Together, Karnataka will be much greener. We want to see that the natural and the nature mix together.”
He added, “In our state of Karnataka, we have embarked on numerous initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. From harnessing renewable energy to fostering green agriculture, our commitment to sustainability remains unwavering, regardless of our partnership with corporate entities. I urge everyone here to embrace the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship by participating in this 100+ Sustainability Awards. This initiative celebrates those making strides in climate action, water stewardship, circular packaging, and smart agriculture.”
Applauding the Sustainability 100+ initiative, the Chief Guest of the summit, LK Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, shared the initiatives taken by the state government to achieve the sustainability goals. Addressing the gathering, he said, “Our approach to sustainability revolves around four key pillars: energy, transport, water, and waste management.”
He further elaborated, “In energy, Karnataka proudly leads in renewable sources, with 63% of our 32 GW capacity coming from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. In transport, we are spearheading sustainable public transport initiatives, including the introduction of 500 electric vehicles in Bangalore and orders for 1800 electric buses. Solid waste management is a priority, with a systematic campaign promoting waste segregation and recycling. We believe in turning waste into wealth, contributing to a circular economy.”
Uniting in support of a sustainable future, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC CEO & Co-Chair, Jan Craps said, “Our commitment to sustainability in India involves investing in water recharge stations, renewable energy, and farmer collaborations. Our goal is carbon neutrality by 2040, extending across our supply chain.”
AB InBev India president Kartikeya Sharma said, “We take a great amount of pride in our efforts towards agriculture and our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals of having fully skilled, connected and financially empowered farmers. These farmers and our operations are at great lengths, but this is where, ultimately, the power of the total ecosystem kicks in. The impact we are creating in one part of India is generating jobs in another part of India, contributing to revenue in a completely disassociated part of India, and that sort of the end to an impact. Our goal is the 2040 net zero objective as far as carbon neutrality is concerned, and that’s what we are working towards.”
Network18 Media & Investments Digital & president – Corporate Strategy Puneet Singhvi, emphasised the critical importance of unified action, stating, “Effecting meaningful change necessitates a concerted, collective endeavor. At Network18, we staunchly advocate for the power of collaboration to magnify endeavors and yield impactful solutions. Leveraging our expansive network platforms, we serve as a catalyst for raising awareness and nurturing dialogue on pressing issues such as sustainability. Teaming up with AB InBev, for Sustainability 100+, our joint mission is to amplify voices, ignite action, and spearhead initiatives that chart the course towards a sustainable and equitable future for all.”
Through its inclusive approach and impactful discussions, the Sustainability 100+ Karnataka State Summit has catalysed momentum for sustainable practices, setting a precedent for collective action and driving positive change in the region.
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Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
