In a recent article, my friend and colleague Georg Kell, Founder of the United Nations Global Compact, introduced the idea of “Generation S.” He defines it as a set of people who understand the power of sustainability to create positive change, who are conscious that the decisions they make and the actions they take today affect the quality of life for our children, grandchildren, and all future generations. In the article, Georg writes that Generation S is made up of people from all walks of life, who speak many different languages, and have varied backgrounds. At the end of his article, he asks his readers the question, “Are you in?”

In the week of the most important gathering of world leaders in many years – potentially ever – on how we can protect our planet from worsening climate change and facilitate a shift to a low carbon future, I think we could all ask ourselves the question of whether we are part of Generation S.  It is a generation that cares about the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that are increasingly important to the survival of our society. And thanks to the work of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) it will now be possible to measure and report on these issues. Investors and other stakeholders will be able to assess the performance of companies on ESG issues material to their industry and make their Generation S purchasing decisions accordingly.

“Sustainability” is a world I inhabit through my work. But am I a perfect, fully-fledged, signed-up member of Generation S who sets an example through each action I take? Well, no.  Let me explain.

Source link for this article