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ESG is shorthand for ‘environmental, social and governance.’ ESG Data is fast becoming highly relevant in the corporate world. Global warming and many other social and corporate governance-related issues are becoming more concerning. Corporate institutions recognise the role they have to play in mitigating the ESG issues. Hence, companies have been paying more attention to ESG data.
Global organizations like the World Bank invest resources into collecting and making ESG data available in the public domain. In the same vein, companies are investing in collecting data to adapt their businesses. Now, making business product and investment decisions with adequate consideration of the ESG is vital.
The earth’s sustainability has been a major discussion topic for the past few years. Hence, sustainability has become an imperative core to business, economy, and consumption – ESG Data.
WHAT IS ESG DATA?
ESG data revolves around evaluating sustainability practices and ethics within an organization. Companies hoping to remain relevant and in existence long into the future need to consider their business’s environmental and social aspects. Hence, the need for ESG data gives insights into how a business’s activities impact the world.
Regarding environmental impacts, the considerable here include; carbon emission index, renewable energy usage, or resultant water stress level. In a similar context, the social aspect of ESG data considers the human capital and labor standard of a company. Finally, governance data examines the leadership of institutions and the guiding ethics. Each aspect of ESG data measures up to a standard, which investors now consider before dealing with a company.
Furthermore, emphasis on the 2050 zero-emission cracked a novel marketing strategy for capitalist organizations. Companies fulfilling the criteria of ESG include the info in marketing copies and pitch decks.
The Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Criteria
The details of the ESG criteria are summarized below:
Environmental
- Companies publishing sustainability or carbon documentation and reports
- Reduction in use of dangerous pollutants and chemicals
- Deliberate efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions
- Renewable energy sources usage
Social
- Use of ethical supply chain
- Active support of the LGBTQ rights and encouragement of diversity
- Enacting policies protecting against sexual misconducts
- Adherence to minimum wage
Governance
- Diligent efforts to diversify the company’s board
- Embrace corporate transparency
- Presence of a CEO independent of the board chair
These criteria inform the insights data vendors, NGOs, companies, etc., collect. Thanks to technology, several infrastructures make it easy to collect company data. Companies not staying ahead of these sustainability-aimed details are prone to poor branding or investment opportunities.
USES AND IMPORTANCE OF ESG DATA IN BUSINESS
More often than not, companies don’t collect their ESG data. Such companies rely on ESG data providers and vendors. The trend of third-party collection consequently results in debates examining the trustworthiness of sustainability reports. Despite these issues, ESG data continues to have its relevance in core business aspects.
Investment
Beyond product offerings and potential year-on-year revenue, leading global business investors now consider ESG criteria. Though the concept of ESG investment is still new, it’s fast becoming something businesses should pay attention to.
ESG focused investments now walk through standardized ESG score measurements. The measurements predict the expected financial returns and impact of an investment. As a result, ESG investments have proven to be low-risk with high returns for investors. Hence, the soaring popularity.
Marketing
The new generation of adults heightened environmental consciousness. The improved consciousness of the effect of business on the world births a unique niche in marketing – ESG Marketing.
With much information available freely, it has become easy to consider the impact of every product from numerous perspectives. Due to the powerful influence of young adults empowered by the social tools available, a company not taking the ESG criteria seriously risks a colossal blowback.
Working hard on the ESG criteria and expertly positioning a company with ESG marketing has proven to be a good move. For capitalists, riding on the trend for profit is a win; the same goes for young adults hoping to leave the world a better place.
HOW TO COLLECT ESG DATA
ESG reporting has also risen to become a vital niche. The niche has seen experts leverage technology to collect ESG data transparently, focusing on making it internally and externally relevant. The ESG data collection process is similar to other data collection processes. However, there are some factors to consider in the process:
- Accuracy: The data must not be collected based on assumptions; a standardized approach must be used
- Completeness: The data must include all relevant data points; the scope should be extensive
- Timeliness: ESG data should be collected frequently
- Lineage: the sources of the data must be clear and transparent.
CONCLUSION
ESG data can make or break a company. Therefore, business and marketing decisions shouldn’t only consider firmographic or demographic data; ESG criteria must underline every activity within and without the company.
