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European Union Approves Climate/ ESG Reporting Standards

The European Commission has approved the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to establish uniform climate change and ESG reporting for EU companies, effective from January 1, 2024. Emerging from the European Green Deal, the standards address the reporting demands of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The ESRS includes 12 standards across 4 reporting categories - general, environmental, social, and governance, aligning with the rise of ESG investing.

August 2, 2023

EU Confirms Watering Down of Corporate Sustainability Disclosures

The European Commission has finalized rules for corporate ESG disclosures, confirming a previous decision to have milder requirements. The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) underpin the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD), obligating large companies to adhere by 2024, followed by smaller peers in two years. The final rules include eased provisions for companies with under 750 employees and provide flexibility in determining "material" information.

August 1, 2023

Australia Releases Rules for Sustainability Claims to Fight Greenwashing by Companies

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australia’s competition regulator, releases draft guidance to curb greenwashing and enhance the integrity of environmental claims. This comes after a study deemed 57% of companies' environmental claims as dubious. The guidelines focus on eight principles, demanding accuracy, evidence, transparency, and clarity in claims. Penalties for misleading representations could reach $50 million or triple the benefit gained.

July 17, 2023

HKEX Proposal for Mandatory Climate Disclosures Gets Nod from Businesses, but not Without Concerns over Timeline, Scope

Hong Kong businesses support HKEX's proposal for mandatory climate disclosures aligned with international standards, citing benefits to the city's global financial competitiveness. The move seeks to enhance climate-related disclosures under the ESG framework, transitioning from the current "comply or explain" approach. Companies recognize the importance of the initiative but emphasize the need for practicality and feasible implementation.

July 17, 2023

An ESG Loophole Helps Drive Billions into Gulf Fossil Fuel Giant

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, capitalizes on ESG investment funds through a complex financial web. ESG investors’ participation in Aramco's pipeline financing sparks transparency and greenwashing debate, prompting regulatory scrutiny on ESG ratings. Major climate activists and campaigners express their concerns about loopholes in how ESG bond indexes are built and call for stricter ESG criteria and definitions.

July 11, 2023

IFRS Takes the Reins of TCFD, Marking a Milestone in Sustainability Reporting

ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) is set to lead climate disclosure efforts after taking over TCFD’s (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) role by next year. This shift signifies progress in consolidating sustainability reporting standards and reflects ISSB 's influence after unveiling global sustainability and climate reporting standards last month. Meanwhile, G7 leaders reaffirmed commitment to the Paris Agreement, pledging support for ISSB 's standards.

July 11, 2023

Singapore Proposes Mandatory Climate Reporting for Both Public and Private Companies

Singapore makes climate-related disclosure mandatory for both public and private companies, aligning with the IFRS’ newly published ISSB disclosure standards. The plan was recommended by the Sustainability Reporting Advisory Committee (SRAC). It aims to strengthen Singapore's global business hub status as well as aid Singapore Green Plan 2030. It also revitalizes the country’s commitment to the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

July 10, 2023

Hong Kong Businesses’ ESG Planning Must Look at Long Term, Go Beyond Regulatory Requirements, Says CPA Australia

Accounting body CPA Australia urges businesses in Hong Kong to adopt long-term plans exceeding regulatory demands for effective integration of ESG considerations. This advice follows the introduction of the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) disclosure standards for climate and sustainability. However, cost and lack of talent are preventing many Hong Kong professionals to adopt ESG practices, according to a survey.

July 10, 2023

The Evolving Role of Chief Sustainability Officers

They once focused on optics and reputation. Today many are interacting with investors and helping set strategy.

July 1, 2023

IFRS Releases Global Sustainability and Climate Reporting Standards

The IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) announced today the official launch of its new global sustainability and climate disclosure standards, expected to form the basis for emerging sustainability reporting requirements by regulators around the world, and marking a major step towards the integration of sustainability reporting into the broader financial reporting process.

June 26, 2023

ESG Regulations Have Increased 155% In the Last Decade

Global ESG regulations have surged by 155% over the past decade, driven by increased focus on climate legislation and sustainable practices. An analysis by ESG Book based on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Reporting Exchange platform, revealed that the number of new ESG regulations has significantly increased worldwide since 2011. T+C30:E38he rise has sparked debates about whether such regulations facilitate sustainability or burden companies with excessive compliance.

June 20, 2023

Now acquiring green skills can get you job as demand is increasing

Certain industries in India such as farming, ranching, forestry (53.29%), and construction (49.46%) have witnessed significant advancements in green transformation and substantial growth of green talent share in India. Sectors such as oil, gas, and mining exhibit a notable presence of green talent (28.77%) along with high year-over-year growth (13.56%).

June 5, 2023

Wanted: More skills for workers as green jobs grow

According to experts in the labor market, a significant impediment to the growth of the green economy is the global lack of the skills required to support its development. These skills are often not adequately recognized, understood, or promoted, leading to a gap in the workforce.

May 3, 2023

Solving the sustainability careers and connection crisis

The “war for ESG talent” is causing companies to face challenges in filling key positions to achieve their sustainability goals. A sustainability business expert suggests that this is due to intense competition among companies for top-notch talent.

April 4, 2023

Green jobs hiring rises as companies eye sustainable growth

Green job opportunities in India surged 80-100% from last year amid a lack of talent in this emerging field. Companies are turning to younger employees to train them for this new talent.

March 22, 2023

Accountants are the green finance advisers of the future

Written By Daniel Leung

March 13, 2023

Ministries, statutory boards to report sustainability efforts annually

From 2024, tender evaluations for large construction or ICT projects – both of which account for more than 60 per cent of the value of government procurement contracts awarded – will have a sustainability component.

March 2, 2023

Nearly All Large Global Companies Disclose ESG Information

For three consecutive years, an increasing number of global companies have disclosed information on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. Reporting has increased, peaking at 95% in 2021, from 92% in 2020 and 91% in 2019.

March 1, 2023

Companies scout for top ESG talent to drive sustainability plans

Executive search firms Korn Ferry, Transearch, and Claricent Partners report that companies in various sectors, including mining, consulting, paper pulp, electric vehicles, cement, FMCG, and finance, are seeking ESG leaders to drive their sustainability efforts. These leaders must prioritize eco-friendly processes, enhance transparency in reporting, and create a sustainable road map for the long haul. These firms have observed a two to three-fold increase in such mandates.

February 23, 2023

Hong Kong needs ESG talent, but what makes someone qualified?

Companies in Hong Kong are urgently seeking the right talent who can help them meet their sustainability goals, but finding the right skill set is a challenge.

February 1, 2023

Driving Value Through ESG Integration

A Deloitte survey revealed that 25% of employees are willing to leave their current job to work for a more environmentally conscious company. Moreover, 48% of Gen Zs and 43% of millennials are pressuring their employers to address climate change.

January 17, 2023

The social and green jobs the world needs to fill

According to a study by the World Economic Forum in comparing social and green jobs across ten countries relative to the four benchmark countries, the world would require over 60 million social jobs and 12 million green jobs to help address social mobility and environmental gaps.

January 12, 2023

Green jobs are booming, but too few employees have sustainability skills to fill them – here are 4 ways to close the gap

The corporate world cannot tackle today’s sustainability challenges with just a handful of chief sustainability officers. Instead, it needs a pool of talents in all business domains to help make sustainability decisions.

January 5, 2023

ESG Presents Huge Business And Career Opportunities In 2023

The future of companies and careers lies in being ESG-savvy and being able to see through the ESG lens which can reveal risks and opportunities that may otherwise be overlooked.

December 27, 2022

ESG Presents Huge Business And Career Opportunities In 2023

In this ESG 2.0 economy, staying ahead in the game requires a deep understanding of ESG and its impact. Many leaders agree that viewing your business or career through the ESG lens can uncover hidden risks and opportunities.

December 27, 2022

Why does ESG hold great job prospects in India

A new study by Indeed, the global employment site, reported that jobs in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) industry grew by 468% in India over the last three years.

November 3, 2022

How firms can meet the booming demand for ESG jobs

Since the 2021 launch of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, ESG job demand has soared to 257% in the past three years, according to job portal Indeed. In fact, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) LearningHub’s Special Report 2022 found that 70% of employers are actively seeking to hire sustainability professionals in the next two years.

October 1, 2022

Enrolments for ESG courses surge in Hong Kong amid exponential demand for staff with requisite skills

In a competitive job market, companies are prioritizing ESG training to empower their staff and achieve their sustainability goals, according to a recruiter. The growing interest in ESG education indicates a flourishing ecosystem for ESG as a promising career path.

September 6, 2022

EXCLUSIVE China tightens green bond rules to align them with global norms

Written By Samuel Shen & Brenda Goh

August 24, 2022

ESG Regulatory Newsletter

Published by Accenture

August 2, 2022

Why sustainable governance and corporate integrity are crucial for ESG

Written By World Economic Forum

August 1, 2022

ESG talent is critical for advancing sustainability strategy

Embed sustainability goals in your ESG strategy for a long-term successful implementation and real action plan.

June 9, 2022

ESG Compliance: Understanding the Patchwork of ESG Regulations

Written By Scott Lang

May 9, 2022

Why Regulatory Compliance Is More Important Than Ever in 2022

written By Kezia Farnham

May 6, 2022

Mind the ESG skills gap: Asia's workforce is greening too slowly

In Asia Pacific, hiring for sustainability-related jobs is growing. So is the talent gap and the shift to a greener workforce is unequal too.

April 20, 2022

Sustainable investing boom prompts fierce fight for talent

Demand for experts in sustainable investing is now an intense battle as fund managers bid for talents and drive up salaries by 50% for top hires. According to headhunters and executives, jobseekers are benefiting from the fierce competition with multiple offers while their current employers are making concerted efforts to retain them.

March 21, 2022

Sustainable finance expert says investors should have learned lessons after annexation of Crimea

Written By Ed Moisson

March 11, 2022

How To Integrate ESG Criteria Into Financial Analysis? The Case Of Coca Cola

Written By Shivaram Rajgopal

February 1, 2022

$500bn Green Issuance 2021: social and sustainable acceleration: Annual green $1tn in sight: Market expansion forecasts for 2022 and 2025

Published By Climate Bonds

January 31, 2022

Designing Your Company’s Sustainability Report

Written By Solitaire Townsend

January 30, 2022

Shifting Paradigms Of Sustainability: Measuring The Impact Of Organizational Efforts

Written By Pablo Turletti

January 26, 2022

8 innovations in advanced manufacturing that support enhanced ESG reporting

Written By Felipe Bezamat, Alexandra Leona Schwertner

January 17, 2022

Designing Your Company’s Sustainability Report

Written By Tim Rogmans and Karim El-Jisr

January 14, 2022

The challenge of double materiality: sustainability reporting at a crossroad

Written By John Sayer

January 13, 2022

ESG Is Here And There’s No Turning Back

Written By Julie Iskow

January 11, 2022

Which job commands 50 per cent salary premium in 2022? The key is to brush up on environmental, social and governance strategies

"ESG jobs command salary premiums of anywhere from 15 per cent to up to 50 per cent, as companies scramble to snare suitable candidates, recruiters say. "

January 8, 2022

What Companies Can Do To Prepare For The SEC’s Climate Disclosure Regulations

Written By Andrew Bruce

October 14, 2021

How will upcoming EU legislation on sustainability reporting benefit your business?

Written By Sophie Chirez & Julie Stuckens

August 27, 2021

True transparency requires in-depth reporting

Published By GRI

July 29, 2021

The International Sustainability Standards Board As An Ideological Rorschach Test

Written BY Robert G. Eccles

July 13, 2021

PwC planning to hire 100,000 over five years in major ESG push

Accounting firm PwC would invest $12 billion over five years to create 100,000 new jobs in a major ESG push aimed at helping its clients with climate and diversity reporting.

June 16, 2021

What Gets Measured Gets Managed: How Sustainability Reporting Can Help Save The Planet

Written By World Economic Forum

January 26, 2021