Strategic Focus: Organizations And The Rise Of ESG

Report

Corporate Sustainability Leaders

Elisa Molero

Kim Knickle

21 Mar, 2023

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Executive Summary

A growing number of firms are taking steps to improve their ESG and sustainability performance, setting ambitious goals and ensuring alignment with standards and frameworks. However, recent greenwashing accusations illustrate the gap between ESG commitments and action, and showcase firms’ limited integration of ESG principles into business operations. In this light, this report offers an overview of firms’ diverse ESG strategies and the organizational challenges holding back ESG and sustainability progress. Our study provides seven recommendations to help firms embed ESG into their businesses, to drive long-term value generation.

Table of contents

ESG Rises In Importance, But There Is Still Space For Further Integration
Firms' Approaches To ESG Range From Compliance To Leadership
ESG Integration Faces Data, Skills And Organizational Challenges
Seven Steps To Integrate ESG And Ensure Sustainable Business Value Creation

Table of figures

Figure 1. Drivers Behind Increased Commitment To ESG And Sustainability
Figure 2. ESG Maturity Framework
Figure 3. Executive Moves Into ESG And Sustainability-Related Positions
Figure 4. Decision-Makers Responsible For Funding ESG Strategies
Figure 5. Seven Actions To Strengthen ESG Integration

About the Authors

Elisa Molero

Industry Analyst

Elisa is an Industry Analyst at Verdantix, specializing in supply chain sustainability. Her research covers 100 vendors in the supply chain sustainability market, supporting b...

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Kim Knickle

Research Director

Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...

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