The ESG and Impact Debate – where is the new frontier and why does it matter? What role does ‘Leadership Conviction” play in quest & momentum for Net Zero, ESG & Purpose Impact?

Corporations are moving to implement enhanced strategies for “S” in ESG as society demands better performance from firms. The issues are increasingly complex and challenging to measure. The investor community on the other hand remains interested in transparency, timely disclosure, consistency and measurable progress. Both sides are dealing with inherent gaps given the nature of the emerging issues on “S”. The challenges of the “S” are material however they do not necessarily lend themselves to quantitative analysis: labor practices, relevance and robustness of government and community relations, future of work, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, supply chain sustainability, data and cyber, health and safety, broad categories of social inequality and inequities – all impacting risk and valuations. The emerging frontier of Corporate Purpose is an additional layer of ambiguity – currently lacking a common standard for measurement. This discussion will illuminate principles for consideration that can enable progress in the short term. Firms delivering real action and investors evaluating with reliable and timely information.