A trailblazing course has been launched in Dorset for businesses to understand and embrace the business benefits of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practice. Dorset Chamber is running the free ‘The Business Case for ESG’ programme over next six months with online sessions open to all firms, countywide.
Workshops with industry experts will cover such subjects as energy efficiency, carbon footprints and offsetting, renewable energy, employee wellbeing, and community and voluntary sector links. They will also feature details about support available from Low Carbon Dorset.Dorset Chamber, the county’s leading business support organisation, is working in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council on the new initiative.
Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “ESG remains a mystery for some in business but it is becoming increasingly important and difficult to ignore. Essentially it is a set of principles by which a business’s accountability and transparency as well as its impact on society and the environment is measured. Investors, existing and potential employees, customers and contractors are become more socially, ethically and environmentally aware, so businesses need to increasingly demonstrate their commitment to the principles of ESG.”
“Our new programme aims to bust some myths surrounding ESG, help businesses understand and embrace its key aspects, provide practical advice and show the very real and tangible benefits it can bring.”
Ian added: “We believe our programme is one of the first, and the most comprehensive, courses of its kind in Dorset to help businesses get to grips with the ESG agenda. Together with our partners at the local authorities, we’re keen to see as many businesses as possible take advantage of these free sessions.”
The launch event – An Introduction to ESG – is on October 20 with ESG champion Gary Neild, chief executive of Blue Sky Financial Planning, and Phoebe Stone, head of sustainable investing at LGT Vestra LLP.
It will also feature from Dr Matt Montgomery, head of climate action at BCP Council and Dr Steven Ford, corporate director for climate and ecological sustainability at Dorset Council.
All of the workshops with be held online and are free to all businesses in the county. Businesses can attend all of the sessions or choose which ones are of most interest.
Each workshop will be recorded and made available on the chamber website.
The new programme is the latest in a series of groundbreaking initiatives by the Chamber, including its Got Your Six mental health campaign for business leaders and menopause awareness work.
Places for each session can also be booked on the chamber website at https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/the-business-case-for-esg/.