ESG, or Environmental, Social, and Governance, has gained significant traction in recent years as an important consideration for investors, companies, and society as a whole. ESG considers a range of factors that go beyond traditional financial metrics to evaluate a company's performance and potential risks and opportunities.

In this podcast, David Arkell, John Pooley, Lysandra Naom and Sarah Keyes, CEO at ESG Global Advisors, discuss the latest changes in the ESG space, company performance and public opinions.

Guest speaker Sarah Keyes, CEO at ESG Global Advisors Inc.

With a decade of diverse experience as a thought leader, consultant and auditor, Keyes is a recognized voice on the financial impacts of ESG issues for the Canadian business community. She is a speaker, author and facilitator on the impacts of climate change risks and opportunities on governance, strategy, risk management and performance.

Keyes is the CEO at ESG Global Advisors, a consulting firm created to help bridge the gap between companies and shareholders on ESG issues. Prior to this role, Sarah was a principal at Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) where she produced research, thought leadership and practical guidance for companies to integrate climate change considerations into business strategy, risk management, governance and reporting.

What is ESG?

ESG has emerged as a framework for evaluating the sustainability and societal impact of a company's operations and its ability to manage risks and opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance factors. ESG considers factors such as carbon emissions, employee diversity and inclusion, labour practices, data privacy, executive compensation and board diversity. Investors are increasingly interested in ESG factors as they seek to align their investments with their values and reduce exposure to risks that could negatively impact financial returns.

Why ESG matters?

The panel discusses why ESG matters for companies and investors in the podcast. Keyes explains that ESG is not just a passing fad, but rather a fundamental shift in the way that companies are being evaluated. Companies that are able to effectively manage ESG risks and opportunities are more likely to succeed in the long term, while those that ignore ESG factors are at risk of losing investor confidence, facing regulatory action, and facing reputational damage.

The latest changes in the ESG space

The panel also dives into the latest changes in the ESG space, including the rise of passive ESG investing, the increasing demand for standardized ESG reporting, and the role of technology in ESG analysis. They discuss how companies can effectively navigate these changes and leverage ESG to drive positive impact and long-term value.

Company performance and public opinion

Finally, the panel addresses the impact of ESG on company performance and public opinion. They discuss the challenges of measuring the impact of ESG on financial performance and the importance of effective ESG communication to build trust and engagement with stakeholders. The panel also discusses how companies can respond to public opinion on ESG issues and work to align their values and actions with the expectations of customers, employees, and investors.

In conclusion, ESG is a critical consideration for companies and investors looking to drive positive impact and long-term value. This podcast provides valuable insights from industry experts on the latest changes in the ESG space, why ESG matters, and how companies can effectively navigate the ESG landscape to drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Other participants in the podcast include:

Host David Arkell, president and CEO of 360 Energy

John Pooley, vice-president of program development of 360 Energy

Lysandra Naom, executive producer of The 360 On Energy and Carbon Podcast