Page 18 - OHS, September 2022

ESG
already exist in EHS dashboards, reports and collected data. It’s simply a matter of ensuring its availability, comprehensiveness and accuracy for the various stakeholders, Bronson says.
doing appropriate follow-up and preventative actions? Are your solutions tied to other ESG systems? How can technology help you? What are the gaps you need to fill? Do you have the right
d.ee_angelo/Shutterstock.com
“Senior leadership is much more aware of ESG data because that’s what people want to hear about, and EHS moves from that classic cost-preventer to value-creator. You often see EHS as this cost center—avoiding unnecessary costs but not always bringing a ton to the organization.
“To contribute to ESG performance is absolutely bringing something to the organization because it improves your standing as a company for everyone that’s interested in it,” Bronson adds. “Pursuing opportunities in ESG and seeking to improve a business’s ESG metrics gives EHS professionals a chance to assume strategic thinking within their organizations.”
Bronson says he expects ESG concerns will provide a clear business case for increasing EHS budgets because of new mandates and requirements. He adds there are five key things EHS practitioners can do to support ESG efforts for their organizations. They include:
Get educated in the ESG world. It’s full of new acronyms that EHS professionals need to become familiar with. It’s important to be knowledgeable about general ESG rules and to understand who the key stakeholders for your company are regarding ESG and the material issues for your organization and stakeholders.
Understand the company’s ESG posture. What are your organization’s stated ESG goals? Are there annual and other reports published by the company that may contain relevant ESG information? Who are these going to? Is your company a leader or laggard?
Understand what industry peers are doing. What are the ESG issues within your industry and are you aware of your company’s ESG posture relative to competitors?
Assess the capabilities and limits of current technology.
Can your EHS technology help achieve your organization’s stated ESG goals? Can your track progress to those goals and are you
tools?
Be vocal about the role EHS can and should play. Remember
that leadership in most companies lacks ESG expertise. EHS professionals are much more visible today in what they do. The metrics they collect will be much more impactful to a business. You should look to leverage existing EHS datasets for ESG reporting—it exists on the EHS devices and software that are already in use.
Dan McLean is a senior content marketing manager at Intelex Technologies. He has been an information technology editor and writer for more than 25 years and spent seven years as an IT market research director for International Data Corporation (IDC).
REFERENCES
1. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gscottgaddis/
2. https://www.enhesa.com/resources/article/how-ehs-esg-criteria-work-
together-to-boost-your-business/
3. https://www.bdo.global/en-gb/insights/global-industries/sustainability/ sustainability-frameworks-a-snapshot
4. https://iosh.com/businesses/iosh-for-business/catch-the-wave/
5. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210322005061/en/ GreenPrint-Sur vey-Finds-Consumers-Want-to-Buy-Eco-Friendly-Products-but- Don%E2%80%99t-Know-How-to-Identify-Them
6. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210322005061/en/ GreenPrint-Sur vey-Finds-Consumers-Want-to-Buy-Eco-Friendly-Products-but- Don%E2%80%99t-Know-How-to-Identify-Them
7. https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/the-esg-imperative-7- factors-for-finance-leaders-to-consider
8. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3758584
14 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2022
www.ohsonline.com