Talking ESG: Revisiting ESG to enhance value and drive growth

PwC's accounting podcast

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The term “ESG” has been used for over two decades, including in this podcast miniseries title. Host Heather Horn sat down with guest Matt Sekol, Sustainability Global Blackbeltand author of ESG Mindset: Business Resilience and Sustainable Growth, to revisit the complexities of ESG and how companies can rethink the concept to not only build better resilience for the long term, but also find value in reporting.
In this episode, they discuss:

• 3:42 – The key messages of ESG Mindset and redefining “ESG”
• 9:44 – How sustainability reporting can contribute to change
• 12:26 – What leaders can do to leverage ESG in a material way
• 20:06 – How companies can strike a balance between ESG and the success of the business
• 35:19 – The interconnectedness of ESG and the macroeconomic environment
• 45:12 – Key takeaway for addressing systemic ESG issues

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Matthew Sekol is a Sustainability Global Black Belt on Microsoft’s Cross-Industry team and a Senior Advisor for Enzo Advisors. In 2024, Matthew released a book called ESG Mindset, which is a guide for companies to think critically about ESG and take a holistic approach to the business. He serves on the LP Advisory Committee of Morgan Stanley’s Next Level Fund, which invests in diverse-led and founded startups. Matthew is considered a benevolent troublemaker who guides companies and partners to think through and address their most material issues on their path to impact.
Heather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.
Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to [e-mail].

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1. Talking ESG: Revisiting ESG to enhance value and drive growth (00:00:00)

2. The key messages of ESG Mindset and redefining “ESG” (00:03:42)

3. How sustainability reporting can contribute to change (00:09:44)

4. What leaders can do to leverage ESG in a material way (00:12:26)

5. How companies can strike a balance between ESG and the success of the business (00:20:06)

6. The interconnectedness of ESG and the macroeconomic environment (00:35:19)

7. Key takeaway for addressing systemic ESG issues (00:45:12)