ESG is not just “going green” – it’s vital to your business strategy

ESG strategy encompasses more than reporting on DE&I statistics or setting a carbon goal.

You’ve likely taken some steps to make your business more sustainable – implementing recycling, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or introducing employee wellness initiatives, for example. You might also feel pressure from investors, employees, and customers to place greater emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. But what does that mean for your business?

When it comes to ESG strategy, your customers, your investors, and your business partners expect you to do something – but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything.

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ESG strategy helps responsibly fulfill your business’s purpose

Looking through the ESG lens provides a more holistic view of your company.

ESG strategy deals with how environmental, social, and governance issues affect your business’s strategies and practices – and ultimately, your company’s value. So, what does each area cover? Here’s a broad breakdown of ESG, and the topics each category includes.

Environmental 

How business operations affect the environment (and vice versa)

  • Waste and pollution
  • Resource use and depletion
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Habitat destruction and preservation (or biodiversity)
  • Climate change adaptation and risk management
  • Product compliance and stewardship

Social

How an organization's operations affect its people and communities

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Human rights
  • Fair trade
  • Community investment
  • Workplace safety
  • Hiring practices
  • Consumer protection
  • Training and education

Governance

How a company behaves and governs

  • Transparency, ethics, and integrity
  • Corporate reputation (corruption, fraud, regulation)
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Internal system of controls, practices, and procedures
  • Privacy and data security
  • Executive compensation
  • Donations and political lobbying
  • Board diversity and structure
  • Supply chain resiliency

ESG standards are changing quickly – and those changes could disrupt your business

It’s important to keep up with evolving standards – and depending on where you do business, you might deal with any combination of these standard-setters (or others).

Maybe you’ve heard about the possibility of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations on the horizon, or mentions of GRI and SASB standards – but who sets the standards, and how can they affect your business?

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

One of the most popular voluntary standard-setters, GRI enables transparency and open disclosure about organizations’ impact to help create a more sustainable future.

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UN Global Compact

Largely focused on impact, the UN Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. The Global Compact provides 10 principles, which are supported in further detail by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Learn more

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN SDGs are a set of 17 goals and macroeconomic targets that aim to promote sustainability, peace, and prosperity for people and the planet. The UN SDGs serve as the backbone of many sustainability and impact investing initiatives, such as the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN).

Learn more

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

One of the most popular voluntary standard-setters, GRI enables transparency and open disclosure about organizations’ impact to help create a more sustainable future.

Learn more

UN Global Compact

Largely focused on impact, the UN Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. The Global Compact provides 10 principles, which are supported in further detail by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Learn more

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN SDGs are a set of 17 goals and macroeconomic targets that aim to promote sustainability, peace, and prosperity for people and the planet. The UN SDGs serve as the backbone of many sustainability and impact investing initiatives, such as the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN).

Learn more

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Developed and supported by prominent U.S. and global business leaders, the TCFD provides a principles-based framework that enables more effective disclosures over climate-related risks and metrics.

Learn more

Value Reporting Foundation (VRF)

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) have combined to form the VRF, which focuses on disclosure of sustainability-related topics that inform value creation, preservation, and erosion. The U.S.-based SASB provides a practical set of industry-specific disclosure standards and materiality framework, while the U.K.-based IIRC provides a principles-based framework to enable Integrated Reporting Framework.

Learn more

Other standard-setters

Your company might need to comply with many other voluntary disclosure frameworks, regulations, standards, principles, or measurement criteria. Examples include the CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project; sustainable finance requirements set by the European Commission, such as the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR); EU Taxonomy; Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); or specific country stock exchange listing requirements, such as those required by the Singapore stock exchange.

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Developed and supported by prominent U.S. and global business leaders, the TCFD provides a principles-based framework that enables more effective disclosures over climate-related risks and metrics.

Learn more

Value Reporting Foundation (VRF)

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) have combined to form the VRF, which focuses on disclosure of sustainability-related topics that inform value creation, preservation, and erosion. The U.S.-based SASB provides a practical set of industry-specific disclosure standards and materiality framework, while the U.K.-based IIRC provides a principles-based framework to enable Integrated Reporting Framework.

Learn more

Other standard-setters

Your company might need to comply with many other voluntary disclosure frameworks, regulations, standards, principles, or measurement criteria. Examples include the CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project; sustainable finance requirements set by the European Commission, such as the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR); EU Taxonomy; Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); or specific country stock exchange listing requirements, such as those required by the Singapore stock exchange.

Your ESG strategy matters more to your customers and investors than you might think

Standards, customer expectations, investor concerns – there's a lot to consider as you develop an ESG strategy.

Implementing sustainable ESG strategies, policies, and practices is not only a vital way to care for our people and planet, but is also an increasingly important factor in how your customers and investors are making their decisions. From products to services, people want to do business with companies that are incorporating responsible environmental practices, social strategies, and governance policies.

Source Global Research, a U.K.-based research firm, conducted a study among U.S.-based senior executives and found that while sustainability might not seem like an immediate need, it’s quickly becoming important to all of your stakeholders. When asked what stakeholder-driven factors will drive sustainability investment in their organizations over the next five years, the top three included employee pressure (54%), consumer pressure (50%), and investor and shareholder pressure (37%).

Whether it’s assessing your supply chain for human trafficking or making a commitment toward responsible investment, customers and investors don’t just care where their money is going – they care where your money is going.

Sustain.Life and Crowe team up to bring carbon accounting and ESG management to clients

Sustain.Life has aligned with Crowe to offer an effective software solution to seamlessly manage sustainability initiatives and goals.

Read the news release

Sustain.Life

Featured insights

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IRA energy and climate tax credits

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5 steps to create a cross-functional ESG team

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Banking, climate-related financial risk, and the regulatory landscape

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ESG strategy for banks: A checklist to get things started

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ESG with a climate change focus: What insurers need to consider

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12 ESG insights for healthcare leaders

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FAQ: Complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

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6 ways to integrate responsible sourcing into ESG strategy

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4 reasons why private companies need an ESG strategy

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Fraud detection in ESG

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Breaking down the SEC's climate disclosure proposal

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Your essential conflict minerals policy checklist

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7 FAQ on key ESG regulations, trends, and more

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Conversation with experts: Environmental, social & governance (ESG) investing

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Navigating ESG without breaking the bank in 2022

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Factoring regulatory updates into your ESG strategy

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Focusing on ESG

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SEC proposes climate-related risk disclosure rules

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5 steps to a successful ESG stakeholder assessment

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5 ways you can provide more inclusive banking

Read the article

ESG news in the new year

Watch the webinar

Insights to guide your ESG strategy

Read the article

ESG Spring update

Watch the webinar recording

Embracing ESG: Four ways tax departments can add value

Read the article

ESG in construction

Read the article

Assess climate risk for your business in 6 steps

Read the article

How banks can manage climate risks and opportunities

Read the article

6 FAQ on PFAS regulations

Read the article

How to improve ESG initiatives

Listen to the podcast

Look into the future of ESG in financial services

Watch the webinar recording

ESG: The “G” of taxation

Read the article

How ESG and tax connect

Read the article

Focus on ESG in healthcare: Internal audit’s vital role

Read the article

3 ways boards can lead ESG initiatives

Read the article

ESG regulatory update: Fall 2022

Watch the webinar recording

ESG strategy: Challenges, pitfalls and being tangible

Access the podcast

ESG considerations for the board and management

Watch the webinar recording

Monetizing IRA clean energy tax credits

Read the article

ESG: Where we are & where we're going

Watch the webinar recording

8 ways to prepare your data for ESG reporting requirements

Read the article

IRA energy and climate tax credits

Read the article

5 steps to create a cross-functional ESG team

Read the article

Banking, climate-related financial risk, and the regulatory landscape

Read the article

ESG strategy for banks: A checklist to get things started

Read the article

ESG: What Should Banks Do in these Times of Uncertainty?

Watch the webinar recording

ESG with a climate change focus: What insurers need to consider

Read the article

ESG for private equity

Watch the webinar recording

12 ESG insights for healthcare leaders

Read the article

FAQ: Complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Read the article

6 ways to integrate responsible sourcing into ESG strategy

Read the article

4 reasons why private companies need an ESG strategy

Read the article

Fraud detection in ESG

Access the podcast

Breaking down the SEC's climate disclosure proposal

Watch the webinar

Your essential conflict minerals policy checklist

Read the article

7 FAQ on key ESG regulations, trends, and more

Read the article

Conversation with experts: Environmental, social & governance (ESG) investing

Read the article

Navigating ESG without breaking the bank in 2022

Watch the webinar

Factoring regulatory updates into your ESG strategy

Watch the webinar

Focusing on ESG

Watch the video

SEC proposes climate-related risk disclosure rules

Read the article

5 steps to a successful ESG stakeholder assessment

Read the article

5 ways you can provide more inclusive banking

Read the article

ESG news in the new year

Watch the webinar

Insights to guide your ESG strategy

Read the article

Our ESG thought leadership

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are top of mind for corporate leaders today. Read our articles, originally published on Forbes.com, to explore the current regulatory environment, financial reporting implications, and other ESG-related topics.

We can help you figure out how ESG strategy fits into your business plan – and your budget

Customers easily see through empty ESG initiatives – but you can make genuine and transparent changes in a practical, pragmatic way. Our team understands your specific industry needs and how they factor into an overall ESG strategy. Here are just some of the areas where we can help.

ESG due diligence

If you’re looking to acquire a company, this focused assessment can help you identify red flags, risks, and opportunities related to governance, human resources, environmental practices, and more.

Explore services

ESG strategy road map

A customized road map can help you assess your current ESG strategy, identify gaps, and plan for your future. Once you’ve identified your goals and priorities, we’ll help you move from the “what” to the “how” and get you connected to our specialized teams.

Explore services

ESG education

From your board to your C-suite to your customers, our team can help you educate your company on ESG as a whole – and which parts of that whole best benefit your business.

Explore services

If you’re looking to acquire a company, this focused assessment can help you identify red flags, risks, and opportunities related to governance, human resources, environmental practices, and more.

Explore services

A customized road map can help you assess your current ESG strategy, identify gaps, and plan for your future. Once you’ve identified your goals and priorities, we’ll help you move from the “what” to the “how” and get you connected to our specialized teams.

Explore services

From your board to your C-suite to your customers, our team can help you educate your company on ESG as a whole – and which parts of that whole best benefit your business.

Explore services

Greenhouse gas emissions accounting

Whether you’re preparing for potential SEC requirements, an M&A deal, or looking to step up your reporting, our team can help you evaluate and measure your GHG emissions.

Stakeholder engagement & materiality analysis

Our team can also help you engage with stakeholders and perform a materiality analysis to identify the issues that matter most to your stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and others.

Responsible sourcing

Complex supply chains can be a challenge – but a strong responsible sourcing program can protect your reputation and relationships.

Explore services

Whether you’re preparing for potential SEC requirements, an M&A deal, or looking to step up your reporting, our team can help you evaluate and measure your GHG emissions.

Our team can also help you engage with stakeholders and perform a materiality analysis to identify the issues that matter most to your stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and others.

Complex supply chains can be a challenge – but a strong responsible sourcing program can protect your reputation and relationships.

Explore services

With deep knowledge across industries and deep ESG expertise, our team is here to help

At Crowe, our teams have been working in the ESG space for years, and we understand the intersections of regulations, standards, business trends, and best practices. We combine that understanding with our deep knowledge of corporate governance across industries to help you create a practical and scalable plan for your business.

We’re here to set you up to speak confidently about what you’re doing and why it matters and to help you make forward-thinking decisions.

Contact us

Our team can help you create the right ESG strategy for your business. Reach out and let us know what questions we can answer.

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