From Values to Impact: Integrating Sustainability with ESG Dimensions for Transformation

I often get asked by people from businesses and organisations how to align to different Sustainability reporting requirements. Here are eight emerging good practice features: I suggest that first businesses and organisations (1) reflect on their values, and (2) engage stakeholders to share what 'good looks like' for Sustainability and ESG (Environmental Social Governance) progress and impacts. This enables (3) including different perspectives and values, and (4) key Sustainability concepts to emerge.  Then (5) key material areas within each ESG dimension can be identified and (6) theories of change and action used to evolve key inputs, progress outputs and outcomes, and impacts. Then, (7) relevant reporting indicators can be included and (8) evaluative questions used in data collation assist in understanding 'why' and 'how' and support a 'so what' analysis.  From experience, undertaking this approach 6-monthly can increase resilience, support risk mitigation, and enable adaptation to changing contexts. By flowing from values to material Sustainability and ESG progress and impacts, more transparent and proactive transformation can be enabled for people, businesses and organisations. Visit www.isd.nz for case studies.