How can you apply ESG skills in a corporate setting?
Learn from the community’s knowledge. Experts are adding insights into this AI-powered collaborative article, and you could too.
This is a new type of article that we started with the help of AI, and experts are taking it forward by sharing their thoughts directly into each section.
If you’d like to contribute, request an invite by liking or reacting to this article. Learn more
— The LinkedIn Team
ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance, and it refers to a set of criteria that measure the sustainability and ethical impact of an organization. ESG skills are becoming more in demand as companies face increasing pressure from stakeholders, regulators, and customers to align their practices with social and environmental goals. If you want to apply your ESG skills in a corporate setting, here are some tips to help you succeed.
The first step is to assess your own ESG skills and how they relate to your current or desired role. ESG skills can range from technical expertise in areas such as carbon accounting, renewable energy, or waste management, to soft skills such as communication, leadership, or stakeholder engagement. Think about the ESG issues that you are passionate about, the projects that you have worked on or contributed to, and the outcomes that you have achieved or influenced. You can also use online tools such as the ESG Competency Framework or the ESG Skillnet to evaluate your ESG competencies and identify your strengths and gaps.
-
Mustafizur Rahman Rajib
Chief Operating Officer (COO) ll Operational Excellence I Strategic Planning I Business Growth I Marketing & Supply Chain l IE l Budget & Cost Control I Process Excellence I CSR l PPM I Lean Six Sigma l $ 100M turnover
In a corporate setting, applying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) skills involves developing a comprehensive ESG strategy aligned with company values. This includes data analysis, reporting, and integrating ESG into decision-making. Stakeholder engagement, risk management, employee training, community involvement, and supply chain sustainability are critical. Promoting innovation in sustainable technologies ensures long-term sustainability and addresses investor, customer, and societal concerns.
3
-
Martijn Lopes Cardozo
CEO at Circle Economy | Experienced serial entrepreneur | Driving the transition towards a circular economy | Board member and advisor
I've learned that it's about asking the right questions: Where do my passions for sustainability align with measurable outcomes? What ESG-related projects have I driven with success? Once you've pinpointed these areas—be it expertise in renewable energy strategies or a knack for fostering strong community relations—it’s about leveraging them to the fullest. This means not only utilising your skills but also cultivating them within your team. By highlighting and building upon these competencies, you create a ripple effect of ESG proficiency throughout the organisation.
2
The next step is to research the ESG landscape of your industry, sector, or company. This will help you understand the key ESG challenges and opportunities that your organization faces, the standards and regulations that it has to comply with, and the best practices and benchmarks that it can follow or exceed. You can use sources such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, or the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to learn more about the ESG frameworks and indicators that are relevant to your field. You can also look at the ESG reports, policies, and initiatives of your company and its competitors to get a sense of their ESG performance and strategy.
-
Lokesh Joshi
Hydrogen | Innovation - GroKalp Limited
To chart a sustainable course, researching the ESG landscape within your industry is a critical initial step. Microsoft The tech giant has diligently navigated the ESG. By delving into ESG, they've set ambitious sustainability goals. Microsoft not only aligns with standards like the Global Reporting Initiative but also goes beyond, pioneering in sustainability through initiatives like carbon negativity. By meticulously studying ESG frameworks, indicators, and benchmarking reports, you can mirror the success stories of industry leaders like Microsoft, adapting strategies that bolster your organization's sustainability performance and align with sector-specific regulations and best practices.
1
-
Fiona T.
🌎 Global Audit and Risk Business Partner | The G in ESG | Passionate about sustainability, human-centred design, digital transformation and mental wellness
You can identify examples of good ESG reports by looking for winners of ESG Reporting Awards / Sustainability Awards. These can be used as a benchmark reference and give you ideas of how you can apply ESG in your organization.
1
The third step is to align your ESG goals with your business goals. This means that you should demonstrate how your ESG skills can add value to your organization, whether it is by reducing costs, enhancing reputation, increasing innovation, or improving risk management. You should also show how your ESG skills can support the achievement of your organization's mission, vision, and values, as well as its specific ESG objectives and targets. You can use the SMART framework to define your ESG goals and make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
-
Brenda Staines
Head of Governance @ UN Global Compact Network UK
One of the most important steps is to do a materiality assessment. Identify what are the most relevant and crucial ESG issues that impact your business, this may vary depending on the size, sector, geography and purpose of your company.
2
-
Mahak Dhameja
Digital & Customer Transformation Strategist | Sustainability Enthusiast
I believe that employing a sustainability-focused business model canvas is pivotal for comprehensively understanding the entire business from a sustainability perspective. This approach enables the design of goals that align harmoniously with our sustainability strategy and business strategy
2
The fourth step is to communicate your ESG impact to your stakeholders. This includes your managers, colleagues, clients, suppliers, investors, and regulators. You should use clear and concise language, data and evidence, and storytelling techniques to convey your ESG achievements and challenges, as well as your recommendations and actions for improvement. You should also use appropriate channels and formats, such as reports, presentations, emails, or meetings, to deliver your ESG messages and engage your stakeholders. You should also seek feedback and input from your stakeholders to ensure that your ESG communication is effective and responsive.
-
Lokesh Joshi
Hydrogen | Innovation - GroKalp Limited
Fourth step involves systematically disseminating critical ESG data and information to key stakeholders, including top-level management, colleagues, clients, suppliers, investors, and regulatory bodies. Effective communication relies on precise language supported by quantifiable data and evidence to convey ESG accomplishments and challenges. Eg: providing specific data points, like carbon emission reductions, sustainable supply chain practices implemented, or waste reduction improvements, adds a factual dimension to the communication. Soliciting feedback from stakeholders enhances understanding and engagement, fostering collaborative solutions and innovation.
2
-
Philippe Schicker
Experienced Energy Consultant | Former Data Science for Social Good Fellow | Looking for Climate Tech Position | M.S. Management & Data Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University
The fourth step is to communicate your ESG impact to your stakeholders. This includes your managers, colleagues, clients, suppliers, investors, and regulators. You should use clear and concise language, data and evidence, and storytelling techniques to convey your ESG achievements and challenges, as well as your recommendations and actions for improvement. You should also use appropriate channels and formats, such as reports, presentations, emails, or meetings, to deliver your ESG messages and engage your stakeholders. You should also seek feedback and input from your stakeholders to ensure that your ESG communication is effective and responsive.
1
The fifth step is to keep learning and growing your ESG skills. ESG is a dynamic and evolving field, and you need to stay updated on the latest trends, developments, and best practices. You can use various resources, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, blogs, or newsletters, to enhance your ESG knowledge and skills. You can also join professional networks, communities, or associations, such as the ESG Professionals Network, the ESG Global Network, or the Corporate Responsibility Association, to connect with other ESG practitioners, share insights and experiences, and access mentoring and career opportunities.
-
Nina Benoit
Helping organisations improve, measure and report on their impact 🍃 Director of Sustainability at Brightest
Sustainability topics are rapidly evolving and it is key to keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening. What I find particularly helpful is to subscribe to sustainability newsletters (like ESG Clarity) and follow pages like the European Commission or ISSB. This is a great way to get first hand information and stay up to date.
3
-
Rajashree Padmanabhi
Business-as-Usual is not enough | CPI | Ex-MSCI | LSE | Author at CFA-UK
The best part about ESG skills is that there is no 'one size fits all' strategy. You can make a positive contribution to your company to enhance it's environmental, social and governance impact by using your existing skillset and only adding a lens of long-term positive impact and sustainability. For example, an HR manager can hire more diverse talent, a product manager can make a low carbon product or a marketing manager can suggest new sustainable products and opportunities. It's all doable if we make it a priority.
1
By following these steps, you can apply your ESG skills in a corporate setting and make a positive difference for your organization and the world. ESG skills are not only valuable for your personal and professional development, but also for the sustainability and success of your company. By applying your ESG skills, you can help your organization achieve its ESG goals, meet its ESG obligations, and enhance its ESG reputation.
-
Philippe Schicker
Experienced Energy Consultant | Former Data Science for Social Good Fellow | Looking for Climate Tech Position | M.S. Management & Data Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University
By following these steps, you can apply your ESG skills in a corporate setting and make a positive difference for your organization and the world. ESG skills are not only valuable for your personal and professional development, but also for the sustainability and success of your company. By applying your ESG skills, you can help your organization achieve its ESG goals, meet its ESG obligations, and enhance its ESG reputation.
1
-
Rahul Bhatt
Co Founder @ Earth Academy
Identify and develop your own 'T' shaped competency model. Let's say you are a Finance professional in an FMCG. You may already contribute to yearly financial reports, and you see that your company is now focussing on writing or enhancing its sustainability report. Your T-shaped competency/skill model could look like this: Horizontal: Sustainability Strategy, Sustainability Reporting, Climate Risk, LCA, Sustainable Finance. Vertical: IFRS Standards, GRI Standards, CSRD (if applicable), TNFD Consider taking a few certifications in your vertical skills. The point is to be precise, airtight, and deep with your skill development plan and align it with the goals and plan of your organization. Don't be random in acquiring skills.
2