Your first week as an ESG Manager

The good news is – it’s the same as any other first week in a management role and the key is communication. You need to get out and meet people. Each organisation will have its own language and culture around ESG and getting an early fix on this will be vital as you progress. We’re  all about keeping things simple and our ESG tool is aimed at busy managers who don’t want big learning curves, but whatever system you are using we hope you’ll get something useful out of this article.

Here’s a breakdown of a possible first week’s activities – it’s 100% unlikely that your first week will run as smoothly as this plan  but it may give you some ideass!

Introduction

The first week is crucial in laying the groundwork, establishing key relationships, and understanding the company’s current ESG landscape. As we mentioned above, your week is unlikely to look exactly like this but this piece is hopefully going to help you identify key action points.

Day 1: Orientation and Introduction

Morning: Company Orientation

1. Understand the Company’s Mission and Values:
   • Begin by understanding the company’s mission, vision, and values. This understanding will help you align ESG initiatives with the core principles of the organisation. Review the company’s foundational documents, such as its mission statement, vision statement, and core values documentation. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of what drives the company and its strategic priorities. Remember ESG is a relatively new area of  focus for corporates and you’re likely there to effect what is often a major change to culture and process.
2. Meet Key Personnel:
   • Schedule introductory meetings with senior management, department heads, and key personnel who will be essential to your ESG efforts. These initial meetings are not just about introductions but also about understanding their expectations, any immediate concerns they have, and how they perceive the role of ESG in the company. Prepare a list of questions to ask, such as:
     • How do you see ESG initiatives fitting into the company’s overall strategy?
     • What are the most pressing ESG issues facing the company today?
     • How can my role support your department’s goals?

Afternoon: Introduction to ESG Framework

1. Review Existing ESG Policies:
   • Go through any existing ESG policies, reports, and data. Understanding the current state of the company’s ESG efforts is crucial. Pay attention to past reports, any ESG goals set by the company, and the progress made towards those goals. This review will help you identify gaps and areas that need immediate attention.
2. Understand Regulatory Requirements:
   • Familiarise yourself with the local, national, and international regulations that affect your company’s ESG reporting and compliance. This includes understanding reporting standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Knowing these requirements will help you ensure that your company remains compliant and meets stakeholder expectations.

Day 2: Stakeholder Engagement

Morning: Identify Key Stakeholders

1. Internal Stakeholders:
   • Identify the departments and individuals within the company who will play significant roles in your ESG initiatives. This includes departments like HR, IT, finance, operations, and marketing. Understanding their roles and how they interact with ESG data is critical for developing a comprehensive ESG strategy.
2. External Stakeholders:
   • Identify external stakeholders such as investors, customers, suppliers, regulators, and the community. Understanding their expectations and concerns is crucial. Consider creating a stakeholder map that visually represents the relationships and influences of these various stakeholders on the company.

Afternoon: Initial Stakeholder Meetings

1. Internal Meetings:
   • Begin meeting with internal stakeholders. Focus on understanding their roles, how they interact with ESG data, and any challenges they face. Use these meetings to build rapport and establish yourself as a resource and ally.
2. External Outreach:
   • Initiate contact with key external stakeholders. This might involve setting up future meetings or understanding their communication preferences. For example, investors might prefer quarterly reports, while community groups might appreciate more frequent updates.

Day 3: Data Collection and Analysis

Morning: ESG Data Landscape

1. Identify Data Sources:
   • Map out where ESG data is currently being collected and stored. This includes environmental impact data, social responsibility metrics, and governance practices. Understanding the sources of this data is essential for developing a robust data management plan.
2. Data Quality Assessment:
   • Evaluate the quality of existing data. Are there gaps? Is the data reliable and consistent? Identify any areas where data quality needs improvement and develop a plan to address these issues.

Afternoon: IT Systems and Integration

1. Meet with IT Department:
   • Good relationships with the IT team will definitely pay dividends here. Discuss the current IT infrastructure. Understand how data is managed, stored, and accessed. Identify any systems that need integration or improvement. Work with the IT team to ensure that data is secure and that there are systems in place to support your data management plan.
2. Data Management Plan:
   • Start drafting a data management plan that outlines how data will be collected, validated, and reported. This plan should include details on data governance, data quality standards, and data security measures.

Day 4: Communication and Reporting

Morning: Develop a Communication Plan

1. Internal Communication:
   • Create a plan for communicating ESG initiatives internally. This includes regular updates, meetings, and training sessions. Your ultimate aim is to ensure that all employees understand the importance of ESG and how it relates to their roles.
2. External Communication:
   • Develop strategies for communicating with external stakeholders. This includes reports, press releases, and social media updates. Transparency is key, so make sure your communications are clear and consistent.

Afternoon: Reporting Framework

1. Select Reporting Standards:
   • Determine which ESG reporting standards you will follow (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD). Understand their requirements and timelines. Choosing the right standards will help ensure that your reports meet stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.
2. Draft Reporting Template:
   • Start drafting a template for your ESG report. This should include sections on environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. Make sure the template is flexible enough to accommodate future changes and updates.

Day 5: Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

Morning: Strategic ESG Planning

1. Set Short-term Goals:
   • Based on your findings from the week, set achievable short-term goals. These should address immediate concerns and quick wins. For example, if data quality is a major issue, a short-term goal might be to implement a new data management system within the next three months.
2. Long-term Vision:
   • Begin drafting a long-term ESG strategy. This should align with the company’s overall mission and values and address key stakeholder concerns. Consider setting long-term goals that are ambitious but achievable, such as reducing the company’s carbon footprint by a certain percentage over the next five years.

Afternoon: Review and Reflect

1. Week Review:
   • Reflect on the week’s activities. What have you learned? What challenges have you identified? Use this time to consolidate your notes and prepare for the next steps.
2. Feedback Loop:
   • Seek feedback from key stakeholders on your initial findings and plans. Use this feedback to refine your strategy and goals. Regular feedback loops will help ensure that your ESG initiatives remain aligned with stakeholder expectations and company goals.

Additional Activities

1. Training and Development:
   • Consider enrolling in additional training and certification programs to enhance your knowledge and skills in ESG management. Programs like the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) certification or the Certified ESG Practitioner (CESGP) program can provide valuable insights and credentials.
2. Networking:
   • Join professional organisations and attend industry conferences to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in ESG. Networking with other ESG professionals can provide valuable insights and support.
3. Continuous Improvement:
   • ESG is a rapidly evolving field. Commit to continuous improvement by staying informed about new regulations, technologies, and stakeholder expectations. Regularly review and update your ESG strategies and initiatives to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

If we had to pick one key success factor for your new role it would be communication – relationships with stakeholders are going to be key to your success in the ESG role, especially since you will likely be dealing with colleagues for whom ESG is not a priority.