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15 Good Reasons Why You Need to Create an ESG Report

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ESG is a movement that has been growing slowly over the last few decades, but you may be wondering why it is suddenly in your face like an extreme weather event. It was once known as CSR or Corporate Social responsibility. But that acronym doesn’t cut it anymore. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These are the 3 pillars of what is becoming known as a “sustainable business model” – and you need to start paying attention if you want to avoid the consequences.

In case you haven’t noticed, the climate is producing more billion-dollar storms, and now that the pandemic has subsided, people are not going back to abusive employment situations. It is what is known as “The Big Resignation” a time of reckoning. And your business is about to be at the center of the storm because all business already is.

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Sustain or die?

You don’t need to be a treehugger to see that our actions over the last century have left the planet in worse shape than it was before we inherited it. At first glance, it may seem that ESG is just another arbitrary requirement being imposed by a bureaucratic department on the other side of the country, but that is not this. Which is why you need to start to pay attention.

ESG, transparency, sustainability are all about the same thing. They are about risk. The risk that as we move to a circular economy: A robust system that will benefit businesses, individuals, and the environment alike. This is why you will want to be ahead of the curve on ESG reporting or your business may not make it moving forward.

But right now, before sustainability is closely tied to financing, supply chains, and RFPs, ESG reporting will give your company a competitive edge. If you are one step ahead, then no matter what the future holds for the shifting sands of consumers and their preferences, you should remain relevant in an ever-changing world. You will be sustainable, while many companies around you will be scrambling. Literally! So, much like the dinosaurs, evolve or die.

Why should every entrepreneur create an ESG report?

You may be wondering whether this type of reporting matters for entrepreneurs who are bootstrapping their businesses. If you are just starting out, there is no law that says you need to do this kind of reporting. However, if your company becomes successful and you want to attract investors in the future or sign business contracts with other companies who will expect ESG data about how your company operates, then this information could be important for you.

It is also important to consider the impact that your company’s environmental, social, and governance factors have on society as a whole. ESG reporting can be used to help you identify where changes need to take place or how you can improve in these areas for future years. These are just some of the reasons why every entrepreneur should create an ESG report.

A list of 15 good reasons to create an ESG report would include:

Companies are not required by law to be transparent, but here are a few reasons why you want to be ahead of the curve on ESG reporting.

1.    Company Reputation

Good ESG reports can help your company’s reputation and social media momentum. More and more, consumers want to know the story behind a brand, product, or service they’re buying – not just how it performs in terms of quality, but also what kind of impact that business is having on society. A good report will provide clear insights into exactly what your company is doing in this regard.

2.    Investor Interest

Investors are increasingly concerned with ESG factors. Research shows that they’re looking for more information about where your company falls on these issues, and how you plan to respond if there is a problem. If you don’t have an up-to-date report, or at least a clear roadmap as to what steps will be taken in the future, it can be difficult to attract long-term investors.

In addition, the media has been talking about how ESG factors are going to become more prominent in a company’s financial reports – and whether or not they follow through on these issues is going to affect their stock price. Get ahead of this trend by having an updated report ready for investors.

3.    Compliance

It’s important to be able to show that you’ve complied with new or existing laws. For example, if your company has employees in the US, then you’re going to need a clear system of checks and balances in place for ESG issues. A good report will show how your company is complying with the law, as well as explaining what steps are being taken to prevent future problems.

4.    Boycotting

Companies that have been known to violate laws or ethical standards can find themselves being boycotted by the public. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain your company’s stance on a variety of hot issues – and how you plan to change in the future. Get ahead of this trend by having a good report ready for anyone who might want one.

5.    Stakeholders

Your company, no matter what size, has an effect on the people who work there, the clients you serve, and the community stakeholders around it. External stakeholders want to know how your company is managing these connections, and an ESG report will give you the chance to show them. If you don’t have one, it can be difficult for external stakeholders to understand what kind of effect your actions are having on society – good or bad.

6.    Protecting the Environment

Detailing your environmental efforts can help your company to be seen in a positive light. A report could outline what steps you’re taking to protect the environment, and why this is important for future generations – not just current ones. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain how well your company protects its natural resources – and whether or not any of these efforts have been made at the expense of your bottom line.

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7.    Getting Ahead of New Regulations

In addition to reporting on your company’s current actions, a good report will also include information about what steps you’re taking now in order to make sure that new regulations won’t come as a surprise down the road – and can be met without too much trouble. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain how well your company is preparing for future regulation changes – and whether or not any of these efforts are being made at the expense of your bottom line.

8.    Increased Transparency

A good ESG report will provide clear information about what actions are currently being taken by your company. It can also be a useful way to demonstrate what you’re doing right – and where there is room for improvement in the future. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain your track record with regard to these issues – or how well you plan on meeting them going forward.

9.    Litigation

In addition, providing clear information about your ESG efforts can be an effective way to protect against any future lawsuits. If you’re transparent, it’s more difficult for people or groups to claim that they weren’t made aware of what steps were being taken – and therefore had no choice but sure the company involved.

10. Risk or Materiality

Every company has risks involved with ESG factors – and it’s important to be able to explain what these are, as well as any steps you’re taking now or plan on taking in order to reduce them. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult for people outside the company (such as investors) to understand what kind of risks your business is taking – and whether or not these risks are something that they’re interested in.

11. Opportunity

Creating a report may reveal previously unforeseen opportunities for your company to grow. A good report can help you build a strong reputation with clients, employees, and the public – which in turn will make it easier for you to expand operations without too much trouble down the road. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain why someone should give their money or business to your company – or how it will be able to handle any sudden changes in demand.

12. New Business Partnerships

A report can also help you find new business partners who are interested in working with a company that’s taking positive steps toward improving the world around them. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult to explain why someone should give their money or business to your company – and difficult for them to understand what kinds of opportunities are available.

13. Employee Satisfaction

Creating an ESG report can help you not only to demonstrate that you’re taking positive steps forward but also why it’s important for employees that this happens. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult for potential employees to understand what working at your company means – and may lead them into a career where they don’t feel as satisfied with their jobs as they could. This could have an impact on the production process.

14. Marketing

Every company is looking for new ways to engage their audience. An ESG report can be a valuable marketing tool – as it demonstrates to your customers that you are taking positive steps forward. If you don’t have an ESG report, it can be difficult for potential consumers to understand what they stand to gain from doing business with your company. A study posted on Forbes showed that 82% of millennials said they would avoid purchasing from brands if it were known they did not take part in positive social initiatives.

15. Legal Compliance

An ethical stance may not only attract potential clients but also dissuade potential litigants from taking you to court. If an ESG report is not created, it can be difficult for your company – and the lawyers that represent them – to understand whether or not there are any legal risks involved with choosing certain suppliers over others.

Why do we need ESG reporting?

ESG reporting is part of your company’s reporting on sustainability, which means you are reporting on the impact of your business across environmental, social, and governance factors. Stakeholders use this info to help them decide which companies they want to invest in, and regulators use it as a tool for investment risk assessment. If you do business with government agencies or publicly traded businesses, then this affects your ability to win the contract by disclosing ESG data about your company’s performance.

It can also affect your bottom line: investors are using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors to inform investment decisions. If your company is not meeting the standards of these investors, then it can affect how much money you make on investments or even lose business opportunities.

Why is ESG so important?

ESG is important because this planet has finite resources. The way we operate today is not sustainable, and it can have a huge impact on the future of our planet. Equity across genders, cultures, and countries is out of balance. These are the issues that ESG reporting is trying to address.

ESG factors can affect your company’s bottom line, but they also impact society more broadly and offer opportunities for companies to do good while creating business value. If a company is not sustainable, then it is not going to be successful in the long run.

ESG factors are about to become very important to every company as we move towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

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What should be included in an ESG report?

The typical elements of an ESG report include:

  • Environmental: carbon, water, and waste footprint
  • Social: diversity in hiring practices; community outreach initiatives; supply chain labor standards/working conditions
  • Governance: ethics, transparency policies, and reporting guidelines.

ESG factors are very important to every company as we move towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

Why ESG is good for business?

ESG is great for business because it shows that a company is socially responsible and environmentally aware. Investors are using ESG factors to inform investment decisions, so it can affect how much money you make on investments or even lose business opportunities.

ESG reporting also has the potential to improve your bottom line by helping companies reduce their environmental footprint and increase their ability to attract top talent from diverse backgrounds.

Why do ESG reporting?

A lot of companies believe that they already adhere to these standards, but without the proper transparency, it’s hard for them to prove this in an unbiased way. This is where ESG reporting can help, by providing a way for companies to prove what they’re doing and even improve their existing policies.

Why should businesses care about ESG?

Businesses should only care about ESG if they care about the environment and the people who live within it. Otherwise, don’t worry about it.

9 ways to improve your ESG report?

There are many ways you can improve your ESG reporting.

  • First, gather data. Knowing where you stand and how your company is performing compared to others in the industry will help you figure out what needs work and also give context to investors who want a thorough report.
  • Second, engage with stakeholders. A key part of ESG reporting is making sure that everyone involved feels like they are heard and included as partners moving forward.
  • Third, consistency is key. You want to have a clear voice and purpose when it comes to ESG reporting so that your stakeholders know what they are getting from you each year.
  • Fourth, transparency is important for building trust with shareholders.
  • Fifth, make sure everything feels fair across the board. It’s easy for people outside of an organization or industry to see if things feel unfair and call you out for it.
  • Sixth, make sure that everyone who works with your company is on board with ESG reporting. You can’t expect investors or consumers to be happy about what they’re seeing if the people making the products aren’t feeling good about how their work contributes overall.
  • Seventh, keep it simple. There is so much information you can share and sometimes keeping things concise and to the point will help everyone understand your ESG report better.
  • Eighth, tell a story. You want people outside of your company to be able to follow along with what’s going on inside as easily as possible. A clear narrative makes that easier.
  • Ninth, get creative. One of the most important things about ESG reporting is how you share it with people and what kind of stories you can tell through your work. It’s never been more important to show consumers that companies are doing good in their communities. Be sure to stand out from others in your industry for this reason alone!

How will you generate the report in ESG?

Reports are generated in a variety of ways depending on the company and what’s being reported. Some reports are paper based while others are online. The key is to find a format that works for you and also the people who will be reading it.

What is the purpose of CSR reporting?

CSR stands for corporate social responsibility, which is the “old” acronym for ESG. It’s the idea that companies should balance their mission of making money with how they contribute to society in a positive way.

What are ESG indicators?

ESG indicators are things that companies can look at to measure their impact on society. Some examples of ESG indicators are diversity, employee turnover rates, and company culture. The more transparent you are with your data the more likely it is that people will trust what they’re reading about your business!

Why do CSR or ESG reports fail?

Some CSRs or CSR reports fail because companies try to fake them. People can usually tell when a company is being disingenuous and won’t stand for that anymore!

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What are the challenges of writing an ESG report?

Writing an ESG report takes time, especially if you haven’t done it before. It’s also important to find good data sources so you know you’re getting the best information possible!

How can AI help ESG investing?

AI, or artificial intelligence, is a hot topic these days. A new report from PwC points to increased AI spending as one of the trends that will drive economic growth in 2021 and beyond. So what about ESG investing? Can companies use data analytics and machine learning tools to enhance their sustainable practices? The answer is yes! Here are three ways AI can help your company become a better steward of the environment and community.

  • It can help with supply chain transparency

Supply chains are complex, but by using data from suppliers you can build more sustainable materials into products all along the line. Data analytics tools that look at things like labor practices or environmental impact could lead to less waste in production or better working conditions in your supply chain. This would be good for the planet and better for business in general because it would bring you closer to your consumer base through transparency and honesty.

  • It can help with product development

The next step after using data analytics is taking that information and turning it into actionable items like products or services. For example, if you find out that consumers are demanding environmentally friendly products, then it would be worth your time to develop a new product line. This information can help fuel innovation by developing products that are better for the planet and also keep costs down.

ESG factors like labor practices, environmental impact, or social responsibility could end up impacting financial assets if investors start demanding more transparency from companies. If you don’t know how to respond, then AI tools can be a great way to determine what your response should be. Some companies are even using AI to determine the impact of their products on the environment so they can track potential risks before it’s too late.

Does ESG improve performance?

Data shows that the companies that are more transparent tend to outperform those that aren’t. If you can be at the forefront of ESG reporting, then you may have a leg up on your competitors.

Does it help with risk mitigation?

ESG factors could impact financial assets if investors start demanding more transparency and quality audits from companies. You don’t want to be caught off guard by something you know nothing about. That’s where AI comes in handy to determine the impact of products on the environment so they can track potential risks.

What is the benefit of reporting?

A few of the main benefits of ESG reporting are that it promotes better transparency to your customers, and helps with product development and risk management. This is what will make your business sustainable.

What is the purpose of the Global Reporting Initiative?

The purpose of the GRI is to create a common language for sustainability reporting. GRI provides guidelines on how to report on environmental, social, and governance issues as well as the performance of those areas.

What are GRI standards?

The GRI standards include what you are, what your organization does, and how it does it. The purpose is to allow stakeholders to understand how well an organization manages ESG factors in their decision-making process.

What is sustainable reporting?

Sustainable reporting is defined as reporting on non-financial information through the supply chain, product life cycle, and other factors.

What is a GRI Scope?

A scope describes what an organization does or does not report on. There are three scopes:

  1. Organizational – reports to stakeholders about your own operations/activities & products
  2. Business Partnerships – reporting to stakeholders about other organizations
  3. Product – reporting to consumers and influencers (such as government bodies)

What is a GRI Scenario?

A scenario presents how an organization could impact ESG factors. There are three GRI scenarios:

  1. “Innovation Continues – The company continues its current course of action, making only small improvements over time”
  2. “The business starts to take a more sustainable approach – The company takes initiatives to change its current course of action and adopts new practices that have better outcomes for ESG factors.”
  3. “Big changes ahead – The company restructures itself both culturally, physically, or organizationally. It may completely stop doing some things it used to do in order to adopt new practices that have better outcomes for ESG factors.”

What is greenwashing in marketing?

Greenwashing is a term that is used when a company tries to make people believe they care about the environment when in reality, they don’t.

In conclusion, we have learned many things about ESG reporting including what it is, why you should do it, and who benefits from doing it. Now that we understand what ESG factors are about to become very important in the future, let’s start thinking about how your company can get ahead of the curve on reporting.

Caveats, disclaimers, ESG initiatives & ESG metrics

At ESG | The Report, we believe that we can help make the world a more sustainable place through the power of education. We have covered many topics in this article and want to be clear that any reference to, or mention of energy consumption reporting practices or how a company operates from their financial reports or stakeholder engagement in capital markets vs. company performance on their investment decisions in the context of this article is purely for informational purposes and not to be misconstrued as investment or any other legal advice or an endorsement of any particular company or service. We highly recommend that investors use a financial advisor, certified financial planner, or investment professional before entering the markets. Thank you for reading, and we hope that you found this article useful in your quest to understand ESG and sustainable business practices. We look forward to building a sustainable world with you.

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