Environmental degradation and social inequities pose significant challenges in today's world, demanding urgent action. The disconnect between human activities and ecosystem health has led to biodiversity loss, climate change, and socio-economic disparities. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive approach that integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with the essential services provided by ecosystems. ESG and Ecosystem Services for Sustainability offers a compelling solution by bridging the gap between theory and practice, guiding stakeholders towards sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet. This groundbreaking book explores the scientific foundations of ecosystem services, illustrating their critical role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and enhancing resilience. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of ESG principles and ecosystem health provides a framework for understanding the impact of human actions on the environment. Through real-world case studies and practical insights, the book demonstrates how integrating ESG considerations into governance and business practices can lead to more sustainable outcomes. It serves as a roadmap for policymakers, business leaders, and academics, offering actionable strategies for fostering ethical governance and responsible decision-making.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing: A Balanced Analysis of the Theory and Practice of a Sustainable Portfolio presents a balanced, thorough analysis of ESG factors as they are incorporated into the investment process. An estimated 25% of all new investments are in ESG funds, with a global total of $23 trillion and the U.S. accounting for almost $9 trillion. Many advocate the sustainability goals promoted by ESG, while others prefer to maximize returns and spend their earnings on social causes. The core problem facing those who want to promote sustainability goals is to define sustainability investing and measure its returns. This book examines theories and their practical implications, illuminating issues that other books leave in the shadows. - Provides a dispassionate examination of ESG investing - Presents the historical arguments for maximizing returns and competing theories to support an ESG approach - Reviews case studies of empirical evidence about relative returns of both traditional and ESG investment approaches

This book presents and analyses exemplary cases of progressive business, understood as ecologically sustainable, future-respecting and pro-social enterprise. The authors present a number of companies following progressive business practices from a range of industries including ethical and sustainable banking, artisan coffee production and distribution, pharmaceutical products, clean technology, governance in retailing, responsible hospitality and consumer goods. With case studies from around Europe such as Tridos Bank in The Netherlands, Béres Co. in Hungary, Novo Nordisk in Denmark, Lumituuli in Finland, John Lewis in the UK and Illy Café from Italy, these progressive companies have global reach and an international impact. The collected cases aim to show the best to be expected from business in the 21st century in a structured accessible way, suitable for any readers interested in innovative ways of creating forward-looking sustainable business.

It is increasingly being recognised across society that the preservation of our natural environment should shape political, economic and social policies. This book delves into the partnership of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Environmental NGOs (ENGOs), their communities, and their governmental counterparts in responding to this need.

A holistic view of ESG goes beyond environmental issues, which are closely linked to social issues. Both come from the governance of an organization: the integrity with which decisions are made and implemented, ultimately defining corporate culture. ESG affects the daily lives of everyone in today’s connected world where organizations, companies, and individuals depend on each other at various levels. Lack of sustainability for any entity threatens its future existence, disrupting the entire ecosystem. The use of data to measure ESG outcomes is a young science that is increasingly critical to upholding our very lifestyle. Data clearly presents impact across the entire ESG spectrum, providing the necessary specificity for informed decision making, and ensuring the transparency and accountability, which uphold sustainability.

This work fills the need for a strategic management text that gives full attention to sustainability and environmental protection. It includes chapter-by-chapter case studies of two organizations that exemplify many of the principles of environmentally sound management practices.