Material ESG Issues
Featured Episode
Water Scarcity and Sustainable Usage
The Water Use – Supply Chain Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on how companies utilize water and manage associated risks within their production
processes and supply chains. The sustainable utilization of freshwater, a finite natural resource, gains significance amidst escalating global water scar
All episodes
Date
Evaluating Structures and Risks
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Corporate Governance Material ESG Issue (MEI) examines a company's operational and control frameworks, encompassing mechanisms, policies, and
practices governing management. The quality of corporate governance significantly influences risk management, efficiency, and reputation, necessit
Understanding Stakeholder Impact
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Stakeholder Governance Material ESG Issue (MEI) centers on comprehending a company's influence on various stakeholders and its adept management
of these impacts. Tailoring to Business Models - Prioritizing stakeholders aligns with a company's distinct business model. Evaluating environmental
Access to Basic Services: An ESG Imperative
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Access to Basic Services Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on managing access to vital products and services, such as healthcare, for disadvantaged
communities. Global Healthcare Challenges Amid Escalating Costs - As healthcare costs surge globally, accessibility remains a pressing issue. The C
Comprehensive Ethical Management
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Business Ethics Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on managing general professional ethics, covering taxation, accounting, anti-competitive practices, and
intellectual property. In industries lacking a separate Bribery and Corruption issue, Business Ethics may also encompass this area, along with specific t
Engaging Local Communities
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Community Relations Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on company engagement with local communities, including indigenous peoples, covering
development, participation, and impact mitigation. Community and indigenous opposition has been decisive in halting major projects, such as the K
Assessing Privacy and Cybersecurity Risks
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on data governance, ensuring safe handling of personally identifiable information.
Personal data protection is critical, with stricter laws like GDPR and rising awareness. Data breaches cost millions, with the US facing the highest expe
Managing Environmental Impact
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Emissions, Effluents, and Waste Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on managing emissions and waste from company operations, excluding greenhouse
gases. The emphasis on particular waste streams varies depending on the subindustry. Trends in Environmental Regulation Environmental regulatio
Navigating Carbon Impacts: Evaluating Product and Service Use
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Carbon – Products and Services Material ESG Issue (MEI) evaluates how companies handle energy efficiency and GHG emissions during product and
service use, excluding financial services, which are assessed separately. A significant portion of global GHG emissions stems from energy production
Assessing Environmental and Social Impact: Evaluating Products and Services
Adam Fleck, Head of Research
The Environmental and Social Impact of Products and Services Material ESG Issue (MEI) evaluates how companies manage the environmental and social
impacts of their products and services, considering aspects from input materials to use, disposal, and recycling. Understanding Environmental and S
Upholding Human Rights: Managing ESG Impact
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Human Rights Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on how companies uphold fundamental human rights within their operations, including civil, political, and
economic rights, as well as protections against child and forced labour. Spotlight on Human Rights Challenges Human rights have long been a centr
Maximizing Human Capital: Prioritizing ESG Impact
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Human Capital Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on effectively managing human resources, addressing skilled labor scarcity, career development, and
labor relations aspects. Unleashing Value through Human Capital - Human capital is a key asset driving company value. A well-managed workforce s
Navigating Land Use and Biodiversity
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Land Use and Biodiversity Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on how companies manage the impact of their operations on land, ecosystems, and wildlife,
covering land conversion, rehabilitation, forest management, and biodiversity protection. Assessing Environmental Challenges - Concerns over land
Ensuring Workplace Safety
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Occupational Health and Safety Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on managing workplace hazards for employees and contractors, prioritizing safety
measures. Workplace health and safety lapses not only impact employees but also carry significant costs for businesses, as highlighted by studies lik
Integrating ESG: Financial Sector Impact
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The ESG Integration – Financials Material ESG Issue (MEI) encompasses all ESG integration activities in financial institutions, spanning investments, lending,
and product offerings. Meeting Global Investment Goals Initiatives to integrate ESG factors into finance are driven by global sustainability goals, req
Prioritizing Product Quality and Safety
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Product Governance Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on how companies manage risks related to product quality, service safety, and responsible
marketing. Maintaining Customer Trust - Ensuring product safety and reliability is critical for customer satisfaction and long-term profitability. Active
Building Financial Resilience
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Resilience Material ESG Issue (MEI) emphasizes financial stability and risk management in the financial services industry, particularly focusing on
compliance with capital requirements. The Legacy of the 2008 Financial Crisis - Financial institutions must ensure resilience to avoid external costs t
Efficient Raw Material Use: A Key Environmental Focus
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Raw Material Use Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on a company's efficient utilization of raw material inputs (excluding energy and petroleum-based
products) in production, along with the effective management of associated risks. The Growing Importance of Raw Material Use: A Key Component i
Water Scarcity and Sustainable Usage
Laura Lutton, Director of ESG Product Management
The Water Use – Supply Chain Material ESG Issue (MEI) focuses on how companies utilize water and manage associated risks within their production
processes and supply chains. The sustainable utilization of freshwater, a finite natural resource, gains significance amidst escalating global water scar