As companies and governments scramble to find balance for sustainability initiatives, energy security and social policies, we are experiencing a perfect storm of social, economic and geopolitical elements that has put environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives under tremendous pressure during the past two years.
Increasingly, ESG has become a political minefield in the United States, reflecting partisan conflicts and regional economic influences. While some states have issued extensive ESG mandates, others seek to exclude businesses supporting ESG policies on issues ranging from climate change to gun control.
As a result, companies are being subjected to scrutiny over social issues – finding themselves caught in a political crossfire and even targeted by local governments for "unpopular" policies.
