The session started with a presentation from Dane Christensen, Associate Professor at University of Oregon, on some research he and his colleagues have done that shows that higher levels of ESG disclosure actually lead to higher levels of disagreement amongst investors about companies’ ESG performance. This was followed by a discussion amongst the panelists and audience on more specific challenges, including how to build ESG literacy for stakeholders through upskilling and training, how to improve internal data collection processes in companies to streamline ESG reporting and enable better decision-making using this data, and how to translate key ESG performance indicators into something that consumers and investors can understand.
Panelists included: Dane Christensen, Associate Professor, University of Oregon; Michael Hughes, Senior Manager, Sustainability Services & UN Programs Lead, Accenture; Kevin O'Connell, ESG Trust Solutions Practice and Global Asset & Wealth Management ESG Leader, PwC; Nina Panda, Sustainability Strategy & External Engagement, 3M; and Amy Senter, North America Director for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.