Implementing Environmental Social And Governance Esg Principles For Sustainable Businesses

Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) risk considers the nonfinancial risks that could arise in a business, such as sustainability, brand reputation, legal aspects, ethics, and more. As businesses all have their own risk profiles, there is a need for risk management and mitigation that is unique for each company. Because of this variability, the study on ESG risk factors and motives of incorporating the ESG perspective into business models are crucial yet challenging. Therefore, it is important to understand how companies are adapting and mitigating ESG risk in diverse types of businesses. Adapting and Mitigating Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk in Business examines processes in enterprises that can increase the sustainability of business models and their coherence with the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development and ESG risk. Furthermore, the book explores how enterprises operating in different sectors are adapting their business models towards sustainability in order to create sustainable value. This book is a valuable tool for managers, executives, entrepreneurs, practitioners, academicians, researchers, and graduate students in finance, business, and management.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing: A Balanced Analysis of the Theory and Practice of a Sustainable Portfolio presents a balanced, thorough analysis of ESG factors as they are incorporated into the investment process. An estimated 25% of all new investments are in ESG funds, with a global total of $23 trillion and the U.S. accounting for almost $9 trillion. Many advocate the sustainability goals promoted by ESG, while others prefer to maximize returns and spend their earnings on social causes. The core problem facing those who want to promote sustainability goals is to define sustainability investing and measure its returns. This book examines theories and their practical implications, illuminating issues that other books leave in the shadows. Provides a dispassionate examination of ESG investing Presents the historical arguments for maximizing returns and competing theories to support an ESG approach Reviews case studies of empirical evidence about relative returns of both traditional and ESG investment approaches

In a dramatic departure from its voluntary origins, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rapidly shifting to hold multinational companies accountable for more than traditional shareholder performance. This CSR movement is embracing new environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that both promote global sustainability goals and enhance accountability for negative impacts businesses can have on ‘planet and people’. This collection of essays by leading businesspeople, international civil servants, legal practitioners, academics, and other experts offers a forward-looking and pragmatic perspective that illuminates the major themes in this movement towards increasingly sustainable, transparent and accountable business practices. The collection shows how CSR has evolved to account for societal pressures, environmental, climate change and human rights impacts, international policy imperatives and the practical challenges of regulating commercial activity that transcends borders. The chapters offer an in-depth examination of current issues including: international frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives catalysing foundational change; the shifting emphasis on corporate imperatives to avoid harm to third parties; trends in CSR, focused on assuring the planet's future sustainability and social stability; regulatory initiatives around the globe, including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and extended accountability for activities of corporate group members and supply chains. The pressure and business case for companies to incorporate CSR into corporate governance is intensifying with each quarter, shareholder meeting, and regulatory agenda. The integration of CSR and new ESG frameworks into multinational corporate strategy and operations is key to sustainable business models that can generate long-term value for the organization and all stakeholders. Their acceptance as cornerstones of 21st century business practice appears inevitable. Taking full account of the imperative for companies and their lawyers to grapple with the practical and legal challenges in this area, this volume is an invaluable and pragmatic addition to the practitioners’ toolbox at this important juncture in an ever-more dynamic field.

Sustainability and Corporate Governance is the first extensive and targeted guide for directors and their legal advisors on creating a governance framework for corporations that integrates all the recognized principles of sustainability now being discussed in boardrooms all over the world. The book provides a step-by-step approach on integrating sustainability principles into the activities of the board of directors including detailed guidance on legal, regulatory and business aspects of organizing and operating board committees and designing the sustainability management unit. Essential topics covered include: • Elements of an effective framework for implementation of sustainability governance, including required policies, procedures and committee charters • Organization of the governing board to effectively address sustainability issues and implement sustainability strategies • Best practices and processes to engage company stakeholders Corporate board members and attorneys will appreciate the book’s practical forms and checklists, complete coverage of all facets of sustainability governance, summaries of relevant international and national guidelines and instruments, and a curated list of samples and case studies from companies all around the world.

Topics discussed include - Double materiality analysis, ESG strategy, ESG framework, stakeholder analysis, value chain analysis, transitional opportunity ranking, transitional risk ranking, energy audits, carbon neutrality target, net zero commitment, product life cycle analysis, double materiality map, ESG priorities vs. internal capabilities, implementational planning for ESG strategy, objective setting, KPI design, target setting, governance framework establishment and ESG assurance. Concepts are discussed and demonstrated through hypothetical application. This book aims to establish a generalisable method, for small and medium sized enterprises to seamlessly combine, sustainable development principles with corporate business value addition strategies. Ideally this method should facilitate synchronized strategy development & implementation, optimized governance, and affective resource allocation in SMEs. Easy to follow step by step guidance and practical illustrations are provided for formulation of ESG strategic framework, implementation and ESG disclosure. Business context application of key concepts are demonstrated in detail practical replication. New concepts - double materiality with reporting contextuality, five element materiality analysis, materiality mapping, material issues to targets & metrics (MITM model), sustainable development strategy formulation process (SDSFP model) and overarching sustainable development principles (OSDP model) are introduced and demonstrated through practical application. In today's context, SMEs are faced with urgent calls to action over climate and socio-economic emergencies across the world. Market trends, social pressure, legislative pressure, and peer pressure, has companies cornered and confused. There are various guideline frameworks on business enterprise alignment for ESG disclosure. However, guidance on streamlined methods to enable alignment of the primary objective of corporate value addition with environment, social and governance concepts are rare. On most occasions, ESG projects are initiated with the core objective of generating a disclosure report. These programs run the risk of creating internal application deficiencies and overall misalignment in business and sustainability objectives. This has led to confusion and unintended greenwashing. Small & medium sized companies are the main contributors for employment, economic growth, better income distribution and social entrepreneurship, the world over. The sustainable development transition poses heightened risks and better opportunities for these entities. SMEs should be adequately equipped and empowered to mitigate sustainable development transitional risks and capitalize on opportunities. Also, the ESG strategic planning process is designed to generate sustainable opportunities for corporate value addition, rather than the traditional linear growth model of producing and selling more to enable more value addition. Preparedness, strategic alignment, and robust governance will increase their resilience and continued economic contribution which is key to wholistic socio-economic wellbeing. Also, SMEs have widespread business bases and close interactions with social subsystems. Hence, their influence on the wider society, for sustainable consumption alignment and lifestyle changes, will be much greater. For Whom - Founders, Owner Managers, Corporate Managers, Sustainability Consultants, Environmental Auditors & Consultants, HSE Auditors & Consultants, Energy Auditors & Consultants, ESG Managers, Sustainability Managers, CSR Managers, Investors, ESG Auditors, Social and Environmental Activists.

This book applies environmental, social and governance (ESG) to issues of sustainable development in healthcare. ESG reporting has been widely used for some time in the business industry to show the economic, social and environmental responsibilities of companies that aim to achieve superior ESG performance for lower risk, more accountability and transparency. Moreover, public-listed companies in healthcare have been growing in significant numbers in recent years. The application or practice of ESG in healthcare has become a growing trend for these large organisations looking to demonstrate their strengths in areas of financing, operations, sustainability and social responsibilities. Such an approach is essential not only for the long-term development of the companies but also for services delivered by healthcare practitioners. Equally, the implications to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 is relevant to healthcare worldwide with a growing ageing population, which has led to a great burden of care in many countries, particularly in the public sector. The potential development and expansion in private healthcare services, accelerated by technology advancement, has demanded a new paradigm in the healthcare industry, particularly in business, service delivery and policy. The book examines this paradigm through health in all policies, ESG and SDG 3 objectives, research, training and practice. It is relevant to graduate students and scholars working in areas relating to health, business and the SDGs and is also useful to policymakers and practitioners in healthcare.