"How should companies balance short-term profitability with long-term ESG commitments during economic uncertainty? What sacrifices are reasonable, and where should the line be drawn?"
Alternative options:
"ESG vs. Returns: Can we have both?
With some studies showing ESG funds underperforming traditional indexes in recent years, how should investors think about the trade-off between values-based investing and financial returns? Is this a temporary trend or a fundamental tension?"
"Who Benefits Most from ESG?
Critics argue ESG primarily benefits large corporations who can afford compliance costs and reporting infrastructure, while creating barriers for smaller businesses. Is ESG inadvertently increasing market concentration? How can frameworks be made more accessible?"
"Stakeholder Capitalism: Revolution or Rhetoric?
Major corporations have pledged commitment to all stakeholders (employees, communities, environment) rather than just shareholders. Three years in, what evidence do we have that this represents real change versus PR?"
"The 'S' in ESG: Why Social Factors Get Less Attention
Environmental and Governance metrics dominate ESG discussions, but social factors (labor practices, diversity, community impact) seem harder to measure and prioritize. Should we rethink how we approach the social pillar?"
My suggestion: The first one works best for broad discussion because it's timely, relatable across industries, and invites multiple perspectives without being too polarizing.