Gambling on Green

Appendix: ESG Analysis for Beginners

Measuring and decreasing the effects of climate change on communities and businesses is of paramount importance for regulators, NGOs, investors, and corporations, but there are many other social problems competing for attention. A steady stream of employment data numbers suggests that pools of potential employees are shrinking, and scathing stories about the “great resignation” suggest the reasons why. People of color continue to be underrepresented at senior levels of management. Meanwhile, there is a perception of inconsistency in return-to-work safety protocols. In the post-COVID era, we're seeing a resurgence of rigid management structures that force conformity around when and how we work (many of which gave rise to the great resignation in the first place). Given all this churn in the employment sector, measuring worker engagement and safety is swiftly rising in terms of importance. Lack of engagement and poor safety protocols often coexist with inequity. Money and status dictates where people live, which in turn impacts the quality of land, air, and water they can access. It is this limited access which becomes a reality for marginalized people at lower ends of the pay and worker safety spectrum.

Strong and enforceable policies around worker engagement are a must for corporations big and small. But strong policy isn't necessarily about a show of force by the firm. It is about being resolute in your determination to support workers ...