Hype, hope, and the hard work of saving the world — Ahmad Ibrahim (opens original article in a new tab)

ESG's rapid growth is driven by financial, talent, and regulatory factors, translating sustainability into business terms to unlock capital and improve accountability, but its effectiveness depends on standardized, enforceable standards and genuine focus on material issues.

• ESG has driven changes in global finance and corporate strategy due to financial, talent, and regulatory factors.
• ESG translates sustainability into business terms like risk and resilience, unlocking capital for sustainable practices.
• ESG's effectiveness depends on standardized, enforceable standards and focusing on material issues rather than superficial compliance.
• The author argues ESG is a tool for accountability and resilience, not a substitute for genuine sustainability efforts.