May Impact Round-Up

Welcome to Catalyser's May newsletter, where we bring you key insights from the ESG landscape and share our recent initiatives. This month is packed with insights on ESG regulations, tips on effective goal-setting and communication strategies and highlights from the recent ESG Summit 2023.

Welcome our new CEO - Asim Brown

Exciting times at Catalyser as we welcomed last month Asim Brown as our new CEO! With his entrepreneurial background and a rich experience in the e-commerce and SaaS sectors, Asim is perfectly equipped to drive innovation and lead our team towards new horizons. His strategic insights from previous roles, including eBay Australia, will be instrumental in identifying growth opportunities for Catalyser and enhancing our platform. You can learn more about Asim's background here.

ESG in the Philippines: From Good to Have to Must-Have

Our recent webinar, ESG Reporting in the Philippines: From Good to Have to Must-have, was a success. Here is a summary of what we covered:

• Angela Kwan kick-started the event by introducing Catalyser, showcasing our digital tool that supports ESG initiatives within corporations.? Angelo Valencia from Nickel Asia Corporation and Ephyro Luis Amatong , a former SEC commissioner, offered valuable insights on the evolution of ESG from being compliance-driven to a tool for value enhancement.?Both Angelo and Ephyro emphasised the importance of integrating ESG into business strategy and culture.?

A big thank you to our speakers and attendees for making the webinar so insightful! If you missed it, don't worry - you can catch the full recording here.

Just starting your ESG journey? We understand it might seem overwhelming at first, so here are five practical steps you can take today to get started:

1. Understand ESG Guidelines: Familiarise yourself with ESG guidelines relevant to your industry. Consider factors like your company size, internal resources, investment capacity, the nature of your industry, and whether your operations are global or local. Australia has a robust set of mandatory and voluntary regulations and standards such as the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, the Modern Slavery Act 2018, and voluntary disclosures like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Human Rights. Understanding these will set a solid foundation for your ESG journey and help you identify which standards to adopt.
2. Audit Your Practices: Conduct a thorough audit of your company's current practices. Assess your existing activities, resources, and capabilities in relation to ESG standards. Tools like Catalyser's platform can give you an understanding of your current state and highlight areas for improvement.
3. Define Goals: Create measurable goals that align with your company's mission and the expectations of your stakeholders. Remember, this is a phased journey and you won't achieve perfection on day one. Set milestones that are realistic and achievable, an example at the highest level is companies incorporating ESG metrics into their corporate strategies.
4. Communicate: Spread the word within your organisation about the importance of ESG. Tailor your communication to different stakeholders such as suppliers, government, regulators, investors, and staff. Educating your employees and stakeholders will foster a culture of sustainability and responsible business practices.
5. Review and Refine: Regularly revisit your ESG strategy to ensure it remains effective and relevant. Incorporate performance metrics, make ESG an integral part of onboarding, and seek external validation through awards and accreditations. Benchmarking against industry peers and guidelines can provide valuable insight into your ESG performance.

Remember, the ESG journey is ongoing and evolving, and it will touch every part of your business. While you may need help along the way, your commitment to this journey is a commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and future growth.

Need help getting started? Get in touch with our expert team for a Free Social Impact Assessment today.

ESG Summit 2023: Learnings and key takeaways

The ESG Summit 2023 brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and companies to discuss the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Between the speakers, the Hon Penny Sharpe , Paul Polman , and Sharon Burrows emphasised the urgent need for concrete climate action, the economic implications of inaction, and the crucial shift from ESG commitment to realisation.

A conversation with AGL emphasised the significance of capital investment in driving ESG and treating ESG as a factor in risk evaluation, a perspective shared by banks such as Westpac . The summit also featured insightful discussions on the role of investors in promoting ESG, with Nicole Bradford from the Australian Retirement Trust and Jessica Cairns from Alphinity Investment Management speaking about the impact of climate change, especially on women and girls.

A focus was placed on the social aspect of ESG, with firms like Westpac concentrating on financial inclusion and Coles Group underscoring its importance. The summit also reinforced the need for board-level involvement in ESG, and the need for integrating ESG into remuneration plans.

As we reflect on the summit's conversations, it's clear that the 'S' in ESG – the social aspect – is an integral component in driving sustainable and impactful change.

Benefits of CSR for Your Business - Free Ebook

Did you know that having a social impact program can increase the profitability of your business? By adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, companies can attract purpose-driven customers, leading to an increased number of leads and higher profit margins.

This is only one of the many benefits of having a social impact program. To help you stay informed and ahead of the curve, we've put together a free ebook on the benefits of CSR. This comprehensive guide offers insights into how CSR can significantly boost your organisation's reputation, profitability, and social impact.

Download your Free copy here today.