Ask Ralph
ESG Programs at the Fore BY RALPH YOUNG
W
e have come a long way since the early days of Walmart sustainability more than 10 years ago. Now environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is the new hot topic, mainly in Europe and Japan, and making its way into the United States. There has been an array of changes in this area since the beginning of this year. The AICC senior staff is often invited to seminars and other events with banks and financial institutions, which solicit our perspectives and keep us informed of changing conditions. The information here is from a two-day virtual conference with Deutsche Bank.
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BOXSCORE July/August 2021
Here, we will look at and explain the difference in the priorities in the 17 elements on both sides of the big pond. You may need to look to suppliers such as International Paper, DS Smith (Mondi), LEIPA, SCA, Metsä, and Saica to help develop your responses to other suppliers, communities, employees, financial institutions, and politicians. “Green infrastructure” will continue to be an ever-evolving subject. Corporate discussions around climate change and the reports from corporations will relate to the following subjects. This discussion will also extend to investments in green buildings and homes. • Renewable energy • Emissions and supply chains
• Investors’ perceptions of climate change • Reduced energy • Scope 3 or greenhouse gases through the entire supply chain—upstream and downstream • Sustainable suppliers • Reduced waste • Measurement of emissions • Environmental awareness The banking and investment communities are actively engaged in the performance of publicly traded companies that are responding to these initiatives. Although this may not directly impact you today, there is usually a trickle-down effect. Our responsibility is to make you aware of these changes and point you in
