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ESG Sprint

7 Steps to Get Your Business Quickly On Track for a Sustainable Future

CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTAND the ESG Challenge

• What Is ESG, and What Is It Not?
• Is This About “Woke Capitalism?”
• Is It a Threat or an Opportunity?
• Why Is It Essential for Your Business?
• What Are the Issues You Need to Understand?
• What Are the Key Environmental Issues?
• What Are the Key Social Issues?
• What Are the Key Governance Issues?
• What Are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
• What Are the Most Important ESG Standards?
• What is TCFD, and how can it help you?
• What Is the EU Taxonomy, and How Can It Help You?
• Consistency & Mutual Reinforcement
• What Are the Requirements for Reporting and Disclosure?
• What Is Greenwashing, and Why Is It a Problem?

CHAPTER 2: DEFINE What It Means For You

• How Can ESG Create Value for Your Business?
• Who Are Your Stakeholders and What Do They Want?
• What Are the Risks That Could Harm Your Business?
• What Are the Opportunities That Could Benefit Your Business?
• Ask “How Might We” Questions to Explore Further
• How Will ESG Change the Dynamics of Your Industry?
• What Does Double Materiality Mean for Your Business?
• How Can You Use Key Figures to Track ESG Performance?
• How Do ESG Ratings Work, and How Would You Get Scored?
• Is ESG about Compliance or Opportunity for Your Business?
• Why Are You Doing This and What Do You Want to Achieve?
• What Is the Main Obstacle to Achieving Your Ambition?

CHAPTER 3: SHAPE Your View of a Sustainable Future

• Use the Power of Visual Thinking
• Draw up Your Successful Future Business
• Describe the Key Attributes of Your Future Business
• Run a “Pre­Mortem” to Understand What Could Go Wrong
• Decide What You Will Have to Do Differently in the Future
• Use Scenarios to Test Your Ideas and Assumptions
• Look at How Technology Can Accelerate Your ESG Efforts
• Look at How You Can Leverage AI in Your ESG Efforts
• Understand What Other Trends May Impact Your Business
• Look for Best Practices That You Can Learn From
• Draw up Your Sustainable Future Business Model

CHAPTER 4: CHART the Course to Get There

• Identify the Most Urgent Gaps to Be Closed
• Articulate Your Objectives and Key Results
• Use the ESG Frameworks to Help Get You Moving
• Craft the ESG Roadmap Together with Your Team
• Break It Down and Lay It Out on a Timeline
• Allocate Resources Immediately to Achieve Quick Wins

CHAPTER 5: VALIDATE with Stakeholders

• Share Your Plans and Priorities with Stakeholders
• Get Feedback and Ideas from Your Stakeholders
• Align the Plan and Immediate Next Steps
• Shape the Process and the Format for Roll Out
• Set Out Key Messages and Next Steps for Communication
• Initiate Stakeholder Engagement Process and Activities
• Get a Second Opinion from an Independent Party

CHAPTER 6: ENGAGE People and Move Fast

• Share the Urgency with Everyone in Your Team
• Invite Participation from Across All Disciplines
• Be Realistic and Encourage Realism Throughout
• Show Leadership, Commitment, and Accountability

CHAPTER 7: TRACK & REPORT Your Progress

• Monitor KPIs and Report Upwards in the Organization
• Make Sure ESG Remains Integral to the Business Strategy
• Enhance Your Perspective and Leverage Your Strengths

EPILOGUE: LEARNING POINTS & FINAL WORDS

• The Role of the Company Is Changing
• Start Moving Now, or Risk Losing Opportunities
• Make ESG an Integral Part of Company Strategy
• Integrate ESG into Business Processes
• Use Data and Metrics to Measure Progress
• Communicate ESG Efforts to Stakeholders
• Learn from Others – The Late Mover Advantage
• Declarations Are Not Enough
• Final Words