S1 E11 Sustainability by the Numbers ESG Reporting

ESG reporting means Environmental, Social and Governance, it is the way that companies that can quantify their level of responsibility to their shareholders. In this episode we explain what ESG reporting is and how we may see this grow in the future. We also examine the pros and cons of ESG reporting, its impacts to business and the environment, including examining the question - can you take environmental measures too far? Join us and let us know what you think!

Takeaways

• Sustainability accounting is becoming mandatory for publicly owned companies.
• ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance, covering various impact areas.
• Standardized ESG reporting is essential for fair comparisons between companies.
• Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions represent different levels of responsibility for companies.
• Measuring sustainability can be challenging but is necessary for improvement.
• Companies need to engage in cost-benefit analyses for sustainability initiatives.
• The EU is leading the way in establishing ESG reporting standards.
• Small businesses can also make significant sustainability impacts.
• Consumer habits can change to support sustainability efforts.
• Transparency in reporting is crucial for accountability in sustainability practices.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Sustainability Accounting
03:34 Defining ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance
06:36 The Need for Standardized ESG Reporting
08:27 Exploring Emission Scopes: Scope 1, 2, and 3
12:20 The Challenges of Measuring Sustainability
15:34 The Business Case for Sustainability
18:05 The Future of ESG Standards
21:11 Evaluating Sustainability Efforts: The Cost-Benefit Analysis
24:29 The Importance of Accountability in Sustainability
27:18 Sustainability in Small Businesses
30:35 Changing Consumer Habits for Sustainability
33:02 The Role of Transparency in Corporate Sustainability
36:25 The Impact of Construction Practices on Sustainability
39:22 Making Sustainability Work for Your Business