Unlock the power of a sustainability culture

Over the past year, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) conversation has become louder. We’ve seen numerous revisions on ESG regulation around the globe as well as changes in how people are talking about it. From the push for green infrastructure and a net zero energy transition to the way investment decisions are made, ESG is everywhere. However, conflicting perspectives on ESG too often emphasize the risks surrounding these undertakings rather than the opportunities.

What was initially a purpose-driven desire to do good has left many organizations reeling, mired in uncertainty and frustration as they scramble to understand stakeholder requirements while simultaneously navigating backlash about overcommitting or underperforming.

Somewhere along the way, this desire to do good was buried by the crushing weight of obligations. With an onus to plan for mandatory reporting requirements and invest wisely in assets, infrastructure and people in a way that accounts for all stakeholders, and an imperative to be transparent in all these efforts, it’s easy to lose sight of the myriad opportunities ESG presents when you’re blinded by a thick veil of responsibility.

It’s time to pause and reframe the conversation — to move beyond talking about the initial drivers and stakeholder obligations and discuss ESG as a means of opportunity management rather than simply risk mitigation.

Baker Tilly is proud to sponsor The Conference Board’s latest ESG Center Report: Building a Sustainability Culture. This report is a culmination of four thought leadership briefs based on a series of Chatham House Rule working group convenings held by The Conference Board ESG, Human Capital and Marketing & Communications Centers and sponsored by Baker Tilly. The report offers insights, guidance and best practices from the working group sessions. Above all, it paints a compelling picture of where companies are today on their sustainability journey (