Sustainability and ESG
Sustainability
Not only does sustainability make good business sense, it’s now an expectation of companies in a world of uncertainty. It’s about aligning company strategy and operations with the challenges of today and considering long term sustainable profits, alongside better outcomes for society and environment.
Sustainability and climate risk are mandatory disclosure reporting topics under the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards, aligned with international standards. Companies all along supply chains will increasingly need to provide information on their actions in relation to issues such as human rights, carbon emissions and diversty, equity and inclusion. Because they can all impact financial returns and they all matter to our society and environment.
Are you aware of your company’s environmental and societal risks, opportunities and impact or do you need a gap analysis to gauge how your company is positioned and what you need to do? A materiality assessment can help to identify the matters that are important and relevant to your company and to direct your sustainability strategy. Stakeholder engagement is critical to finding out what your customers, shareholders, partners and employees care about so you can respond accordingly.
What does sustainability mean for your company and how does it need to adapt to the changing environment?
Sustainable Business Consultants’ experience spans private and public companies, financial institutions, infrastructure, investment managers, private equity, State and local Government, SMEs and large not-for-profits.
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Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)
ESG issues present risks and opportunities which rank highly in the decisions of investors, customers, employees and others. They are also critical in responding to many of today’s global challenges which ultimately affect the success of businesses of all sizes.
ESG is the framework within which companies set their ESG or sustainability policies, how they identify and manage risks and opportunities, how accountability for these issues is established and the plan of action to address the ESG issues that companies deem to be priorities. Communication and reporting are also key elements.
To meet the evolving needs of society, responsible companies are playing an increasingly important role. A well thought out sustainability or ESG strategy with a clear purpose, objectives and targets can lead to business growth, increased profits, long term shareholder and societal value; and strengthen your social license to operate.
What do ‘E’, ‘S’ and ‘G’ mean:
Environment – how companies impact the environment and nature and how they in turn impact on a company’s strategy and operations. Critical issues include climate change, carbon emissions, pollution and biodiversity.
Social – matters relating to people that influence happy and healthy workplaces and well functioning communities. Topics include health, safety and wellbeing, equal pay, stakeholder consultation and contributions to healthy communities.
Governance – the way companies are governed, managed and their ways of operating. This includes policies, the board and leadership team, organisation culture, ethics, employee benefits and issues such as cyber-security.
Sustainable Business Consultants are highly experienced ESG advisors. Our capabilities include engagement and education; creating strategies, policies and plans; developing measures and targets; and reporting – against your plan and in accordance with accepted global standards and frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting Standard, the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards, the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and many more.
