The ESG Framework for Sustainable Development

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. These are referred to as “pillars” in ESG frameworks. They represent the three key aspects that companies are expected to report on. The goal of ESG is to find all non-financial possibilities and risks in a company’s ongoing business activities.

ESG Reporting

ESG was initially designed to assess the sustainability-related transparency of listed firms for shareholders. Today, it is commonly considered a reporting framework. ESG reporting has become associated with the ESG framework due to the growing demand for ESG-related data. 

Businesses rely on sustainability reporting guidelines to decide how and what to disclose. Usually, one or more frameworks are used to execute reporting. The two most popular reporting frameworks are those of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

Although providing a sustainability report is the traditional method for ESG reporting, more and more businesses are also providing data through web pages highlighting their ESG performance to showcase their visibility and trustworthiness. 

Let’s take a look at the pillars of the ESG framework and how it integrates with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

Social Pillar

Companies must report on their management of employee development and labor practices under the social pillar. They provide information about product liabilities relating to the reliability of their product. Additionally, they provide information about their supply chain’s labor, health and safety regulations, and contentious sourcing concerns. Where applicable businesses must disclose how they give disadvantaged social groups access to their goods and services. These social pillars directly complement SDG goals: 1) No poverty, 2) Zero hunger, 3) Good health and well-being, 4) Quality education, and 6) Clean water and sanitation. 

Governance Pillar

Shareholders’ rights, board composition, executive remuneration, and how executive compensation relates to the organization’s sustainability performance are the primary concerns covered by the governance pillar. It also covers business conduct issues, including anti-competitive behavior and mismanagement which covers SDG goals 9) Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and 16) Peace, justice, and strong organization.

Environmental Pillar

This causes ground, water, and greenhouse gas pollution. Utilization of resources includes whether a firm employs virgin or recycled materials in its production processes and how it ensures that from conception to disposal, the majority of the material in its products is cycled back into the economy rather than ending up in a landfill. In a similar vein, businesses are encouraged to manage water resources responsibly. The environmental pillar also includes issues related to land use, such as disclosures about biodiversity and deforestation. Businesses also disclose any favorable sustainability impacts they may have, resulting in long-term commercial advantages. This pillar cover SDG goals 7) Affordable and clean energy, 13) Climate action, 14) Life below water, and 15) Life on land. 

Why ESG Is Essential

Climate change, the shift from a linear to a circular economy, rising inequality, and balancing societal and economic requirements are just a few of the major issues facing our world today. The requirement that businesses are not just effective stewards of financial capital but also of ecological and social capital and have the proper governance structure in place to enable this is one that investors, regulators, customers, and workers are increasingly demanding. ESG is becoming more and more significant from the standpoint of acquiring debt and equity financing as more and more investors include ESG factors in their investment decision-making process.

Value Creation by ESG 

It’s a typical misunderstanding that ESG has a negative impact on an organization’s financial success, yet studies have linked ESG investment to resilience and improved long-term economic performance. Due to a more thorough examination of data and trends, businesses that integrate ESG into their value-creation framework can lower risk and/or increase profitability. Similarly, analysts and investors may quickly ascertain whether firms are acting and how these activities affect financial results. 

There are still several areas where the traditional ESG framework needs to be improved as it continues to mature and evolve. Companies that advocate ESG policies—such as diverse hiring, sustainable business operations, and charitable giving—but do not adhere to them run the danger of coming under public criticism and will be chastised as a result.

Therefore, Value Based Management (VBM), which unifies all organizational operations around sustainable and long-term value development, is a crucial instrument for an efficient implementation of ESG. To define strategy, essential direct procedures, and activities, and define KPIs that are aligned with the development of long-term benefits for all involved parties, including shareholders, VBM enables a 360° view of a business, its peers, and the environment.

Lastly, it can be said that ESG is used to evaluate an organization’s environmental, social, and governance standards. Organizations may succeed by utilizing ESG elements, which will eventually combine with SDGs, by embedding practices for sustainable development into regular company operations, goods, and services.

Photo: SWKStock/Shutterstock

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