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ESG, which stands for environmental, social, and governance, is a growing trend in the business world. Companies are increasingly using ESG factors to define success and build long-term value for their stakeholders, in response to growing concerns among employees, customers, investors, and communities about the impact of business on society and the environment.
Although progress has been made in standardizing and quantifying measures of companies’ performance on ESG criteria, gauging ESG impact remains a challenging task. The difficulties include unreliability of sources, data changing over time, lack of transparency and consistency in methods, and possible rater bias. This may explain why some companies are ranked in the top quartile of consensus of ESG ratings while simultaneously being among the largest producers of greenhouse gases on the planet.
It’s time for companies to integrate sustainability into their strategy and operations by connecting financial and social performance.
In this edition of the Library Newsletter, we offer a selection of resources available on ESG for the IESE community that could be useful for better understanding the importance of ESG data.
1. Literature about ESG
Discovery – ESG. Books, articles and more.
IESE Insight – ESG publications by IESE professors and researchers.
World Economic Forum. Strategic Intelligence – ESG
• News
Factiva. Comprehensive global news and business information database.
Use Factiva Expert Search functionality to limit results to “ESG/ Investment Stewardship” news. Select the criteria you want to limit on the left-hand facets menu and click Search.
2. ESG Data
Sources where you can find data on:
• Environmental
How well a company upholds regulations that protect the environment.
LSEG Workspace
(For desktop application or web access please email library@iese.edu )
For Environmental company data:
1. Search for a company using the search box on the top left-hand corner of the page.
2. Once on the company profile page, click on the “ESG” tab in the top menu> “ESG statement” tab.
3. On the left-hand filters column, limit by “Environmental” pillar.
For downloading large datasets:
LSEG provides in-depth coverage of environmental-related data dating back to FY 2002.
Type ESG on the search box and retrieve a list of ESG search Apps.
Bloomberg
For Environmental company data:
1. Type on the search box “Ticker Equity FA ESGE” and then click on <GO> (e.g. AAPL FA ESGE).
2. Select the sub-tabs to see additional ESG metrics.
The Bloomberg terminal can only be accessed at the Barcelona Library. See our FAQ: Bloomberg Terminal Access
• Social
How a company treats its own employees, customers, vendors, and the communities it operates in.
LSEG Workspace
(For desktop application or web access please email library@iese.edu)
For Social company data:
1. Search for a company using the search box on the top left-hand corner of the page.
2. Once on the company profile page, click on the “ESG” tab in the top menu> “ESG statement” tab.
3. On the left-hand filters column, limit by “Social” pillar.
For downloading large datasets:
LSEG provides in-depth coverage of social-related data dating back to FY 2002.
Type ESG on the search box and retrieve a list of ESG search Apps.
Bloomberg
For Social company data:
1. Type on the search box “Ticker Equity FA ESGE” and then click on <GO> (e.g. AAPL FA ESGE).
2. Select the sub-tabs to see additional ESG metrics.
The Bloomberg terminal can only be accessed at the Barcelona Library. See our FAQ: Bloomberg Terminal Access
• Governance
This area covers issues such as companies’ tax audits, shareholders rights and top-level executive compensation, as well as the controls placed on these internal policies.
Compustat Execucomp
Access via WRDS and extract large datasets. First time users should register.
LSEG Workspace
(For desktop application or web access please email library@iese.edu)
For company governance data:
1. Search for a company using the search box on the top left-hand corner of the page.
2. Once on the company profile page, click on the “ESG” tab in the top menu> “ESG statement” tab.
3. On the left-hand filters column, limit by “Governance” pillar.
For compensation data:
Once on the company profile page, select “ESG” tab and then “Offices”. This will bring up detailed information on remuneration.
Capital IQ
Search for the company, on the left-hand menu under People and select Compensation.
Pitchbook
In the People screener there is a Gender flag.
• ESG Indexes
LSEG Workspace App
(For desktop application or web access please email library@iese.edu)
Type ESGI on the search box to retrieve data on ESG Indexes.
Bloomberg
Type BESG on the search box and then click on <GO>.
The Bloomberg terminal can only be accessed at the Barcelona Library. See our FAQ: Bloomberg Terminal Access
• ESG Sovereign Data
World Bank Sovereign Data Portal
• ESG Data vendors
Environmental Finance ESG Data Guide 2023
Useful starting point for identifying ESG data vendors. Fee and free data.
3. CSR Reports
Search on the company websites for CSR Reports.
Corporate Register
Global online directory of corporate responsibility (CR) reports past and present.
Register required for access (free).
4. Sustainability Reporting Sources & Standard Setting Organizations
EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project
Gartner Research
Find Market Guides for ESG Management and Reporting Software.