In the world of startups, incorporating policies and practices for environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues is often seen as something for later-stage startups. We challenge that notion.
We believe that it’s far easier and more effective to integrate ESG from the beginning, making the next generation of unicorns or Fortune 500 companies more diverse and inclusive, more conscious of their employees’ health and safety, and better serve their communities and the environment.
What is ESG?
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that Openeco latest global flagship fund is integrating into its investment analysis and decision-making and portfolio management processes.
Environmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature.
Social criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates.
Governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.
Standards, Frameworks, Certifications
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations “best plan to build a better world for people and our planet by 2030.”
BCorp
A Certified B Corporation is a kind of business that is legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
United Nations Global Compact Principles
The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Impact aim to standardize corporate sustainability across human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption issues.
Environmental Resources
Energy Efficiency
“Great Green Tips For Building a Sustainable Startup”
From lighting to heating and air conditioning, learn some quick tips for building a more energy efficient startup.
E-Waste
“What Can We Do About the Growing E-waste Problem?”
Learn what falls under E-waste and the current strategies to mitigating your startups E-waste.
“6 Ways to Minimize Your E-waste”
Tactical tools and resources from Harvard University on how to minimize your e-waste as a company.
Resources for Social Considerations
Data protection and privacy
GDPR
GDPR.eu is a resource for organizations and individuals researching the General Data Protection Regulation.
Gender and Diversity
“Guidelines on Gender in Employment Policies”
The International Labour Office’s official informational resource book on gender policies in the workplace.
“5 Strong Gender Equality Policies Every Startup Needs”
5 steps to go beyond the legal requirements against gender discrimination to promote gender equality at the startup stage.
“Creating a Trans Inclusive Workplace”
Harvard Business Review’s guide to creating a workspace that is welcoming and inclusive of those who identify as trans.
“How to Develop a Diversity and Inclusion Initiative”
A great starting place for any company who is building a D&I policy for the first time.
Employee Engagement
“Linking employee engagement to sustainable returns”
This case study by Sycomore Asset Management breaks down a few different types of employee engagement metrics in ESG.
Human Rights Alignment
“The business case for understanding human rights and ESG benchmarks”
The strategic value of paying attention to areas that benchmarks assess across various stakeholders in a startup.Labor Standards
Employment Standards
A country by country analysis of regional labor standards and anti-discrimination laws.
Resources for Governance Issues
Board composition
KPMG’s “ESG Strategy and the longview”
A framework for board oversight.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms
UN’s “Why Engage? The Business Case”
UNPRI’s list of potential anti-bribery and anti-corruption mechanisms along with potential benchmark metrics.
“Disclosing anti-corruption information in ESG reports – global trends and ICAC’s recommendations”
A dive into what standards currently exist in ESG for anti-corruption and trends in how to address anti-corruption in policy decisions.
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