ESG: Its impact on you, whether you know it or not.

What is ESG and How Does it Affect the Public?

ESG is a long-running movement in the corporate world that has recently encountered stronger Republican pushback.

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance, and it is a movement that aims to bring about social change through investment and divestment. This corporate model goes beyond maximizing profit and considers other factors, such as how an investment might impact fossil fuel emissions.

Who Supports ESG?

There is a growing number of finance titans who have embraced the shift towards ESG. Proponents of ESG believe that the private sector can help shape the world into a better place. Some supporters are concerned about climate change or social inequality and see ESG as a way to use markets to help. Others see it as part of an investment strategy that can drive high profits.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink is one of the most prominent faces of the ESG push. However, opponents have accused him of trying to harm the energy industry. BlackRock contends that it merely asks companies to provide disclosures on material issues that affect their businesses so that investors can appraise risks, such as climate change, and make informed financial decisions.

Who Opposes ESG?

Pushback to the ESG movement has grown, particularly from the Right. The State Financial Officers Foundation, composed of top Republican financial officers, has been active in coordinating pushback. Critics of ESG argue that taking corporate focus away from providing quality products or services for customers and shareholder value for investors causes consumers to suffer.

How Does ESG Affect Consumers?

Corporate ESG initiatives have added to the high rate of inflation, particularly when it comes to energy costs. Many companies are pushing net-zero targets, which drive up costs because it makes it more expensive to process their goods. This has led to higher costs for consumers, from the gas station pump to the grocery store.

What’s Next for ESG?

ESG doesn’t appear to be fading away anytime soon, and it is likely that pushback to ESG and “woke” capitalism will feature prominently on the Republican campaign trail leading up to 2024. One candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, has even tethered much of his campaign entirely to fighting ESG.