Do you have the organizational capability to meet your ESG goals?

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals are becoming an increasing priority for many businesses. But they are routinely failing to meet these criteria because they are not embedded into corporate culture and structures.

Some 38% of business leaders cited meeting ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria as their top priority, ahead of adapting to post-Brexit challenges (36%) or recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic (25%), according to a recent survey from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. At the same time, a separate Bain & Company report showed only 2% of companies typically ‘achieve or exceed’ their ESG goals. This can be detrimental for a firm’s valuation and reputation.

A case in point is Sweden’s Oatly, a maker of plant-based versions of dairy products, whose green credentials saw sustainability-focused investors flock to buy the stock during its debut on the Nasdaq in May. Just two months later, the company lost a fifth of its market…