Many companies worldwide have started Adopting Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) issues to boost their corporate agenda. These days, publicly-traded companies are making significant ESG investing, with expectations of gaining grants, cuts, and consumer support.

Startups are also catching up to the ESG investing trend. However, many have not yet developed ESG investments plan.

ESG investing is beneficial for every up-and-coming company. Let’s discuss ESG investing and why it is crucial for all startups, whatever their industry.

ESG Investing

ESG investing covers diverse investment practices to create financial returns while positively impacting environmental, societal, and governance issues. ESG is also known as “sustainable” or “impact investing” and tackles various modern problems while inspiring change worldwide. ESG is known as an investment class and an investment approach. Companies and investors are starting to pay more attention to their role and society, letting their investment decisions be guided by it.

Below are three different policy areas that ESG investing focuses on.

Social Issues: Here, we have issues related to inclusion, diversity, working conditions, and health measures at the workplace. ESG investing boosts staff productivity, brand awareness, and loyalty on the customer side. Furthermore, it generates a lot of positive PR.

Environmental Issues: ESG investing attempts to challenge environmental issues that deal with water, ecosystems, air, land, and human health. A huge focus is challenging climate change, sustainable energy, and decreasing pollution. How companies approach this category depends on the nature of the business itself. For instance, a manufacturing company would invest in energy efficiency and waste disposal.

Governance Issues: Thanks to social media and globalization, company behavior and policies are under increased scrutiny. The ESG mindset focuses on board accountability and diversity, defending shareholders, and disclosing and reporting information.

The Benefits of ESG investing

Whether startups or established corporations, modern businesses need to implement ESG-conscious policies to be successful in an increasingly green-conscious world. The benefits are too valuable to ignore. Here are just some of the ways ESG investing can benefit businesses.

More Investments

Modern investors use ESG as a factor when deciding. Non-ESG compliant businesses are at increased risk of many issues, including social backlash, civil litigation, or state fines, forcing investors to only deal with ESG compliant companies.

Risk Mitigation

As mentioned above, with the present state of the business and socio-economic field, non-ESG compliant businesses are precarious. Bad PR or a government sanction will be a huge issue for companies that don’t have the brand strength or capital to recover. Implementing ESG policies is easier while an organization is still relatively small.

Reputation Boost

ESG investing is an excellent way for any business to generate worthwhile press and positive PR. Any coverage can provide a considerable boost to a company’s brand awareness and put your brand’s name in front of many potential customers and influencers. ESG investing is also helpful in establishing brand trust and boosting its appeal to your target audience.

As seen in our current business environment, businesses need to adopt ESG policies. They are crucial for businesses that look to be more competitive and successful. Failure to be ESG-compliant poses multiple risks for a company. Businesses these days need to have a focus beyond profit.