Environmental, Social and Governance Policy Checklist

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) is a broad umbrella term that includes factors from climate change, environmental conscientiousness and sustainability to social aims and governance responsibilities.

This ESG Policy Checklist can help a business to plan and write an ESG policy statement.

Use this checklist to structure an ESG policy statement

The checklist contains a suggested structure for an ESG policy statement and highlights some key ESG areas and objectives which a business might wish to cover in its policy statement.

Why ESG policies are increasingly important for businesses

ESG is more and more being seen as a top priority for businesses and, in view of this, they need to have an awareness of their own wider impact on society and the environment in which they operate.

A failure by a business to tackle ESG issues relevant to it may lead to, amongst other things, regulatory enforcement and may pose litigation, physical, commercial, financial and reputational risks that might adversely affect its sustainability and resilience.

There is also a growing trend for ESG requirements and compliance as a pre-requisite for contracting with other parties.

What an ESG policy statement is for

An ESG policy statement serves not only to clarify for a business what its ESG objectives are and should be, but also to record and communicate to its stakeholders what its ESG commitments are going forward.

Tailor the policy to your business

Each business will need to tailor its ESG policy statement according to its particular needs and circumstances, taking into account its size and sector focus and the type of organisation it aspires to be.

This document is not, and should not be treated as, a one-size-fits-all template and can only be a starting point for drafting an ESG policy statement.

Environmental, Social and Governance Policy Checklist is part of Corporate. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Corporate for 1 year.