How everyone can contribute to ESG initiatives

Sustainability. It was once handled solely by niche experts, but that’s all changing. Now that sustainability has expanded to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, everyone has a role to play.

 

From HR to Procurement, sustainability is now a team sport with no limit on who can contribute to the organization’s larger ESG picture.

Here’s how key functions across the organization can make a difference:

Everyone has a role to play in larger organizational ESG initiatives.

What’s yours?

For details on how to join your organization’s efforts, check out our blog post on this topic or visit our Rethink Sustainability page.

Compliance & RIM

  • Data centers and cloud storage: Because organizations use these solutions for information storage and collaboration, select a vendor powered by renewable energy
  • Record-keeping policies: Institute ISO-based standards across all departments
  • Environmentally friendly records disposition: Opt for circular and zero-waste services for physical or digital records destruction
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IT & Information Security

  • Data center selection: Choose vendors who invest in renewable energy
  • End-of-life electronics: Ensure data is properly erased and e-waste is responsibly refurbished or recycled
  • Support for remote work: Provide employees with the tools they need to work remotely to help reduce commute times and carbon emissions, while improving employee engagement
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Procurement

  • Climate strategy: Implement additional screening criteria for more environmentally friendly supply chain vendors
  • Supplier diversity program: These programs promote an inclusive approach to procurement; if one isn’t already established, put one in place
  • Vendor traceability and transparency program: Get visibility into vendor data all along your supply chain to ensure practices are compliant, ethical, responsible, and aligned with your goals
  • Vendor data: Ask vendors to supply the data that results from your interactions with them, and make sure it’s reflected in your sustainability goals, such as carbon usage or tonnage of paper recycled
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Investor Relations

  • Portfolio evaluation: Monitor increasing investor interest in sustainability issues
  • Data-tracking systems: Ensure there are credible systems in place for providing ESG-related data that investors are seeking
  • Education: Communicate current sustainability priorities and initiatives with investors
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Human Resources

  • Recruitment: Because ESG competencies are now necessary across the entire organization, evolve and expand candidate criteria to account for these now critical skills
  • Corporate responsibility: Issues like diversity and inclusion, pay disparity, and human rights should be top of mind for HR professionals
  • Corporate policies: Ensure policies, practices, and reporting align with your organization’s ESG goals
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