How to Lift ESG Data Quality to Investment-Grade
Bringing the rigor of enterprise financial reporting to ESG requires investment in education and training to develop consistency and appropriate controls for data collection — basics such as standard emissions factors, units of measure and system boundaries. Executives must also use this information differently. And it all takes time. So take the long view and get started now.

ESG Measures That Matter: A Q&A With Deutsche Post DHL Group’s CFO Melanie Kreis
CFO Melanie Kreis explains how Deutsche Post DHL Group is creating metrics, tracking progress and reporting results for social and environmental objectives in ways that mirror financial performance monitoring. The latest move: linking social impact goals to 30% of the bonuses for top executive leaders.

Does Your Organization Need a Chief Sustainability Officer?
Crucial to your organization’s credibility on sustainability and social issues is the way the enterprise sets up management and oversight. Each decision — reporting lines, cross-functional partnerships, accountability — is a signal of how executive leaders view the path to progress. Don’t look for an established blueprint; there is none. Here’s a look at benchmarks and examples from Schneider Electric, Suncor and Verizon.

4 Ways Leaders Must Change the Board’s ESG Oversight
The general counsel, corporate secretaries and other C-suite leaders must use the corporate mission statement to focus directors on core ESG values, recruit members with ESG skills and experience, update committee assignments to reflect the importance of ESG and validate ESG strategy and goals.

Accountability Fuels a Sustainable Investment Strategy: A Q&A with CalPERS’ Anne
Anne Simpson is the managing investment director for board governance and sustainability at CalPERS, the largest public pension fund in the U.S. She has been hailed as one of the 100 “most influential women in U.S. finance” by Barron’s, and one of the 100 “most influential leaders in the boardroom” by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Simpson discussed how CalPERS puts a premium on accountability: the board, reporting lines and compensation structure. She explains why she believes activism is more effective than divestment — with a backstage glimpse at the successful push for new directors at Exxon.

3 Tactics From Bayer to Set Up Suppliers for Sustainability Success
Bayer’s chief of procurement explains how the company uses specific standards, concrete examples of best practices and data sharing – even with industry rivals – to make sure vendors meet expectations on issues as disparate as environmental impact and forced labor.

Revamp How You Decide Which ESG Issues Matter Most
ESG issues previously deemed irrelevant to financial performance can quickly become relevant; in the last two years, the pandemic, natural disasters and social upheaval provided proof. To avoid surprises and stay competitive, the exercise known as the materiality assessment must get more strategic.

The Whiteboard: Big Questions About Responding to Social Fractures
If you aren’t connected to the rest of society, you don’t have a business. But when society is fragmented or polarized, how do you build that bond? At such times, organizations should work harder to add their voice to the discourse in a way that improves collective outcomes. It’s time to head to the whiteboard ...

Innovating With Big Tech to Solve Social Problems: A Q&A With the Asian Development Bank’s Ozzeir Khan
ADB needed help on ESG issues from digital giants such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon — companies with patient investors, deep pockets and talent benches, and a mastery of monetizing data. Khan told us about his lessons learned.

Give Stakeholders Credit for Company ESG Efforts and They’ll Repay You With Loyalty
Commitments to socially conscious activities aren’t enough to drive brand loyalty and advocacy. Executive leaders must go a step further: show stakeholders how they contribute to and benefit from sustainable business efforts. Let them share in your success.