Sustainability Magazine November 2023 | Page 65

ESG

The act of becoming more sustainable is largely down to organisations ’ abilities to measure , disclose , and act upon key environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) metrics by reputable means . With a variable pool of knowledge across industries and largely subjective definitions of what sustainability really means , companies have long been in need of methods to understand and determine whether they truly meet the promises they chose to make .

This responsibility does simply lie in the hands of businesses , but also their employees . The landscape is changing to allow personnel to express their expertise in sustainability through ESG accreditation – a means of certifying an individual for their knowledge and application of ESG compliance – also referred to as ‘ ESG certification ’. While this can apply to all industries , there are also variables that impact how different professions look at ESG based on the nuances of their particular sectors .
Some of the key points to be considered when considering ESG accreditation that apply to all areas of business include financial materiality , understanding social factors as well as environmental impacts , and the specific challenges that will arise among different professions . This report will also consider the types of accreditation and their suitability for universal applications versus those more specific positions .
Some key terminology to confirm before delving into this topic : ESG - The focus on three specific pillars of sustainability . The environmental , social and governance factors are investor- and analyst-driven to attract more sustainability focus among corporations .
sustainabilitymag . com 65