So you’ve committed to implementing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals within your business strategy.
Fantastic! But what if some of your stakeholders aren’t convinced? Making your ESG targets successful will require commitment from everyone involved, so how can you engage those hanging around the edges?
Engage in a meaningful conversation with your ESG stakeholders
ESG can seem like an overwhelming subject and to be honest, some people don’t really understand what it means. So get talking. Engage in dialogue with your stakeholders – employees, suppliers and even customers to better understand their perspectives and priorities. This can help you identify areas of alignment and areas where there may be differences in opinion.
Communicate clearly
Be transparent and clear about your ESG goals and progress and how they are being achieved. Share regular updates on your company’s ESG performance and any initiatives or programs you have implemented to address ESG issues.
Provide opportunities for involvement for everybody
This can include volunteering programs or events, sustainability workshops or training sessions, and other engagement opportunities. Encourage team members to become educated in the subject and come up with their own ideas.
Collaborate with your ESG stakeholders
Work with stakeholders to develop and implement ESG initiatives. This can include collaborating with suppliers, customers, and local communities to address environmental and social issues.
Listen to stakeholder feedback
Solicit feedback from stakeholders on your ESG initiatives and take their input into account when developing future plans. Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to gather feedback.
Measure and report on your ESG performance
Help them to clearly see how the journey is progressing as this can help build trust and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Try to use visuals if possible!
Overall, engaging stakeholders in your growing business’s ESG journey is critical to building trust and promoting sustainability and social responsibility and building a strong foundation to work from.
If you want to know more about how to start your ESG journey, get in touch, we can help!
