It seems Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing and reporting is one of the most talked about subjects in the market at the moment, at is is clear to see why. In 2020 net inflows into ESG funds in the U.S. alone reached $51.1 billion and by the end of the first quarter in 2021, Global ESG investing was nearly $2 trillion.

There have been many driving forces for this including, but not limited to, the global pandemic, the climate crisis and increasing client demand, but as interest in ESG has skyrocketed, so have the questions and challenges, including the question of what does it all mean for the social value movement and those striving to achieve the sustainable development goals? Despite the hype, there are clear weaknesses in current ESG practices; behaviours are not changing enough to address rising social inequalities or adequately tackle the climate crisis. .As our CEO Ben Carpenter noted in a blog from 2021 - “This is such a critical time for our movement; yes, it is good that the capital markets are now very focussed on social and environmental issues but much of this ESG measurement is being confused with more mature sustainability accounting and reporting and could be a dangerous distraction. Achieving the SDGs and tackling complex problems such as climate change and inequality require ‘systems thinking’, measurement of outcomes and a long-term view of value creation.”

In response to this, throughout March 2022, Social Value International will be hosting a month-long series of conversations and thought leadership exploring these questions as we focus in on the key theme of “Beyond ESG.”  

Over the course of the month, we will host webinars, discussions, masterclasses alongside blogs and thought pieces that will culminate in a half-day conference on the 29th of March “Going Beyond ESG”.  

Rather than be critical of ESG as a movement, SVI want to work with members and partners to provide constructive challenge and present practical solutions for how ESG can evolve and so the events taking place throughout “Beyond ESG” month have been designed to increase knowledge by sharing the latest developments within ESG Investing and ESG reporting, challenge the status quo by exploring the main problems with ESG reporting, Inspire innovation by proposing solutions to the problems and empower SVI members to play an active role with the ‘ESG agenda’.

Join us throughout March as we collaborate, share ideas, and explore ways we can go “Beyond ESG” to achieve sustainable development for all.

Agenda:

Throughout Beyond ESG Month, Social Value International will be continuing the conversations in the Social Value International Members Area. If you are a member of SVI or a Joint Member Network, please head to the SVI Members Area and join the "Beyond ESG" discussion group.