Coming to our Senses - ESG Legacy

Let’s come to our senses about the future. Today we have cleaner air, cleaner water, safer workplaces, and more responsive waste disposal practices. Assets under management that apply many methods to environmental and social governance (ESG) investing have grown to an estimated $23 trillion globally, an increase of more than 600% over the past decade[1]. Stakeholders are appreciative of these efforts and investors have recognized the need.

Why role back the clock? Let our ESG legacy be one of leadership for responsible resource management so that future generations will be able to prosper and look back at and say thank you for all the hard work and letting us tackle the next big issue.

At every opportunity we should share with our elected officials and stakeholders the value we place on strong ESG practices and the lack of scientific evidence to roll back ESG policies and regulations.

Through the identification and control of ES risks, implementation of outreach programs, and setting realistic regulatory budgets, ESG has been good for society. Our legacy, if we choose it, will be one that has:

• Created a vision of the future, not just relief from environmental problems.
• Spawned a platform for sustained innovation.
• Garnered grassroots approval by establishing a demonstrable record of actual performance supported by solid ESG practices.
• Created global multidisciplinary approaches to address ES opportunities and challenges, building trust and creating loyalty both within and outside organizational boundaries.
• Enabled cost savings through waste reduction, renewable energy.
• Embraced the next generation of employees and customers by offering green products, flexible work schedules, and much more.
• Enrolled hundreds of volunteers and practitioners to work to improve living conditions in all areas of the world.

And let’s not forget about our core values of carrying out our responsibilities with integrity, respect, and trust. These have kept us on the right path during calm as well as turbulent times. They also serve as the underpinnings for sustainable and strong ESG practices now and in the future.   
[1] Sustainable Funds US Landscape Report, Morningstar Research, January 2018.