Fortune’s Impact Initiative kicked off here yesterday amid a fragile economy and a political climate increasingly hostile toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Two stakeholders were mentioned most often as the north star in that quest: Employees and customers. A company’s “path” on social issues is “clearest when turnover numbers get better,” said Chris Hagler, head of ESG at Independent Point Advisors. Perhaps it’s time for ESG to move beyond its label and go back to the basics of the role of business in society. Critics of ESG, meanwhile, may want to reread about the fundamentals of responsible business, as outlined by a classic liberal such as Koch.

Source: Forbes September 13, 2023 21:58 UTC