Research shows that customers expect companies to hold themselves responsible for the impact they have on the world around them. There have been many names given to this responsibility, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and more recently, ESG.

ESG brings together environmental, social and governance issues under one banner to ensure that a company's overall impact is positive. ESG is much like corporate social responsibility, but on a vastly larger and more measurable scale. It represents a set of priorities that are most important to investors and consumers at the present time, and having such a policy is beneficial for a company wishing to take action on these issues and to be seen to do so. ESG policies are often used as a framework for organisations to assess and manage their sustainability and responsible business practices, and to communicate their efforts to stakeholders. Organisations may choose to adopt ESG policies for a variety of reasons, including ethical considerations, risk management, reputation management, and alignment with stakeholder expectations.

Although, on a structural level, the primary incentive for companies is to make profit and deliver returns to shareholders, ESG represents an opportunity to disrupt business in the short term to ensure prosperity in the long term.

As more businesses embrace ESG, we can help create real change within our local communities and the wider world. It can also help make your workplace happier, attract new customers, and increase your profits.

Examples of ESG criteria:

• Environmental: includes factors such as a company's carbon footprint, water and energy usage, waste management, and pollution levels.
• Social: includes a company's labour practices, human rights record, diversity and inclusion policies, and impact on local communities.
• Governance: includes factors such as a company's board diversity, executive compensation, transparency, and ethical business practices.