Case studies and First Steps Framework to start your journey on ESG
A decision to turn their waste oranges into marmalade has kicked off an impressive sustainability journey for Four Pillars Gin. Four Pillars is Australia’s first gin distillery certified as Climate Active for achieving net zero emissions.
Co-founder Cameron Mackenzie says it’s just the beginning. But, as we’ll see below, beginning is the hard part for so many Australian businesses.
Mind the Gap
There’s a worrying gap in Australian organisations today. In 68% of them, there’s air between their ambition to bring environmental, social and governance (ESG) into their strategy and their execution of that goal. (1)
Yet data shows ESG is now core to long-term value creation, according to PwC, and firms that fail to embrace ESG will risk significant value erosion. (2)
Free Download: Why ESG and Sustainability are Critical to your Business Success
Customers preferring ESG-active organisations
So, what’s stopping business leaders pushing hard on ESG? The effects of climate change are more apparent, and data shows consumers, investors, and employees are rapidly preferring organisations taking authentic action on ESG. How come ESG isn’t a priority in every business?
Well, it appears many leaders don’t know where to start.
An HSBC survey of 9100 companies in 35 countries found that while 96% of businesses felt pressure to become more sustainable, only 4% had a clear understanding of how they were going on ESG metrics or how they might apply to them. (3)
Case studies and framework to start your journey on ESG
We chatted to business owners and leaders who’ve taken the leap and learned about ESG on their climate neutral journey. Like most business owners and executives, they are time-poor and have resource constraints.
But, without exception, they are pleased they’ve made the effort, citing employee engagement, competitive advantage, acquisition of new customers, and ‘a good feeling’ as some of the benefits.
We share their stories and helpful tips in our whitepaper "Why ESG and Sustainability are Critical to Your Business Success", plus our “First Steps Framework” to help get started. Download now, and we'll send the whitepaper direct to your email to start your own ESG journey today.
And, if you'd like to increase your professional and personal development why not consider signing up your teams as Leadership Pass holders with Growth Faculty? Choose the plan that suits you, and see who's up next.
References:
1. ‘Accelerating the journey to net zero: A blueprint for Australia’, 2022, Microsoft News Centre
2. PwC Global Private Equity Responsible Investment Survey 2021
3. Jay Ashar, ‘Organisations lack ESG understanding,’ report says’, 2019, The Global Treasurer
Image of Cameron Mackenzie at Four Pillars Gin distillery by Anson Smart
