ESG

[Levin]

Is Environment, Social & Governance just a rebrand of Corporate Social Responsibility or is it something else? It is a new thing isn't it? Or have I just missed it?

[Balderdasha]

Basically same thing with different name. Also known as 'sustainability', 'people and planet before profit' or various other buzz words. ESG has been around as a term for ages. It's used a lot on financial circles, e.g. you get ESG funds or bonds.

[Ginger Yellow]

Yeah, basically the same but at once more regimented and more all-things-to-all-people. See for instance the debate on whether natural gas should be counted as sustainable in the EU's Taxonomy Regulation. Also CSR is/was mainly about disclosure by companies, whereas ESG is as much about restrictions/mandates on investors, and at least in its strictest form, can create a direct link between the funding and the outcome. In practice, though, it's usually about slapping a label on something the company would have done anyway so that people can feel good about it/tick some boxes.

[beak]

UFO was a tune tho.

[Sam]

What Balders and GY said. I proofread a lot of CSR/ESG reports these days. They're wonderful things and everyone who publishes one is playing a vital role in the future of our society.