Listen to Richard Hardyment, author and head of business engagement at the Institute of Business Ethics
In this week’s episode, Richard Howitt asks: can we believe the numbers on environment, social and governance (ESG)?
To address this, we welcome Richard Hardyment, a research professional, very used to assessing numbers, but who has just produced a book saying that there is little or no evidence that ESG has and has had any positive outcomes for people and the planet in the real world. And yet he calls himself emphatically pro-sustainability. After directing research at the World Benchmarking Alliance, he is now head of business engagement at the Institute of Business Ethics. His new book is called Measuring Good Business: Making Sense of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Data.
In this episode, you’ll hear more about:
“I think all the work that's been going on in standards over the last 20 years really is hugely welcome and important. It's been critical in terms of painting a picture for companies and investors, the direction of travel. It's crucial to provide the language in terms of the frameworks, what we mean by these topics, what does human rights mean, what does climate resilience mean and codifying that. And it's been vital in terms of helping businesses allocate resources and do this in an efficient way. And obviously the upcoming regulations are presenting a challenge on that front.”
What do the new revisions to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards actually mean for businesses, and how will they affect the EU's green transition? Listen to EFRAG TEG members Sandra Atler and Signe Lysgaard
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What can traditional Japanese business practice teach us about corporate sustainability? Listen to Akiko Sato, Business and Human Rights Project Officer at the United Nations Development Programme and Special Adviser at the business and human rights NGO Pillar Two
What is the future of sustainable business? Listen to Chris Coulter, CEO of Globescan and Mark Lee, Global Director of Thought Leadership at the SustainAbility Institute by ERM
