ABSTRACT

Increasingly, companies are being judged by their performance in terms of Environmental Social Governance (ESG). But exactly what does it mean, and what should be done about it? While much ambiguity exists, it is no longer sufficient to negotiate the environmental assessment process successfully. ESG is an ongoing process that spans the entire life cycle of a company and its operations.

This book is aimed at business leaders – senior executives and company directors – and particularly those involved in the extractive industries and other ventures that significantly affect the environment and host communities. Guidance is provided on the major ESG issues that confront all business leaders. Strategies are provided to address ESG risk and to handle crises when they occur.

QUESTIONS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS:

Are you at all prepared for an environmental or social crisis event?

How will you cope with the "unknown unknowns"?

What do your shareholders expect you to do about climate change?

Are your employees proud of the company’s ESG performance?

How does your bank evaluate your biodiversity impacts?

chapter BP 01|13 pages

Environmental and social aspects of governance in a changing environment

The Board's role

chapter BP 02|20 pages

Yes, sustainability can be a strategy

chapter BP 03|16 pages

How do ESG values change Company culture?

chapter BP 05|12 pages

Environmental and social planning and management

What's measured improves 1

chapter BP 06|21 pages

Safety governance inside the boardroom

chapter BP 07|13 pages

Impacts of development on communities

Sharing benefits

chapter BP 08|12 pages

Access to land as a human rights issue

chapter BP 09|14 pages

Water resources in the future

Problems and solutions

chapter BP 10|16 pages

Industry and biodiversity

chapter BP 11|21 pages

Enterprise risk management

Putting ESG risks into a business context

chapter BP 12|13 pages

Environmental liabilities

Risks beyond the balance sheet

chapter BP 13|11 pages

Strategies for climate change risk management

Stemming the tide

chapter BP 14|12 pages

Crisis management

Don't wait for a crisis to come up with a crisis plan

chapter BP 15|12 pages

Right way to close an operation

chapter BP 16|15 pages

Looking ahead