What is ESG?
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Environmental
Commitment to improving the environment including recycling, reduction of carbon footprint, and “green” product lines
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Social
Commitment to achieving more equitable communities by reducing the impact of structural social systems broadly referred to as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
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Governance
Commitment to holding individuals, organizations, and state and local governments accountable in the arena of positive global citizenship through a demonstration of positive values through actions
ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — refers to the ways in which a company invests in creating a positive social impact often reflected in their culture, the products and services they offer, their green footprint, and in community engagement.
Although the meaning of “ESG” varies across a broad stakeholder landscape, the unifying element is that ESG is a part of the business strategy, a demonstration of the organization’s commitment to social good, and not a revenue strategy, although shareholder value may be a byproduct of authentic ESG efforts.
The “ESG” nomenclature varies as well often used interchangeably with “Sustainability” and “Corporate Social Responsibility”. You may also see ESG strategies aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which the UN defines as a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”
Key to our collaboration will be to identify language – benchmarking as well as potentially creating new language paradigms – that aligns to your organization’s culture while igniting a differentiator factor that underscores authenticity, investment, and commitment. With increased pressures on transparency in ESG disclosures demonstrating the degree to which a company lives their values along with a growing intolerance for “greenwashing”, there is cause for new and innovative approaches.
We can easily put aside highly charged cultural and political debates about ESG so that we don’t lose site of the unifying theme of – not unlike our non-profit partners – improving social and environmental conditions in our communities.
Through leading research, case studies, best-in-class methodologies, data, a vast consortium of external thought leadership, and over 25 years of industry knowledge, our collaboration will yield a customized strategy that reflects your organization’s current stage of maturity including a multi-year cultural change management plan to ensure progress. We will develop customized solutions that reflect your unique talent, culture, values, history, and leadership priorities.