Environmental, Social & Governance
Going beyond responsibility to value and opportunity, we provide comprehensive and industry-focused ESG program advisory and assurance from development to execution.
Environmental, Social & Governance
We meet forward-looking organizations where they are on their ESG journey to develop industry-focused strategies that align with their vision. We're in it together at every step from inception through ongoing execution.
Let’s build a sustainable future now, for tomorrow.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has emerged as much more than a responsibility. It’s an opportunity to build a more sustainable business and a key differentiator to enhance relevancy and trust with organization stakeholders. Built strategically, an ESG program creates valuable impact within your organization, your community and for the planet for years to come.
Why is it important?
A strong and meaningful ESG program can set a vision for an organization’s environmental and societal influence, providing value both internally and externally.
Establishing environmental goals can help reduce your carbon footprint, determine your sourcing strategy and set a foundation for how to eliminate unnecessary waste. From a social impact lens, you can build a meaningful diversity program, enhance employee health and make lasting changes in your community.
And by building a strong governance foundation, you can diversify your board, enhance business ethics, increase stakeholder transparency and protect privacy.
These are a sampling of the many benefits of a strong, customized program that will help your organization reach the sustainability goals that matter most.
"At Baker Tilly, building a sustainable future is who we are at our core. Our talented professionals are dedicated to developing and guiding our clients on their ESG journey now, for tomorrow."Theresa Meiners, ESG Practice Leader
How we can help
- Strategy and implementation
- Reporting and communications
- Assurance and attestation
- Bond verification
- Tax strategy
- Energy transition
Client stories
Private equity firm packages existing initiatives to build ESG strategy
Private equity firm serving middle-market businesses builds an ESG strategy by evaluating existing initiatives and prioritizing topics relevant to investors.
Manufacturing and kitchen design company begins their ESG journey
Food service business manufacturing and service provider creates an ESG policy and framework to meet critical stakeholder needs and to streamline and enhance RFP submissions.
Metlakatla Indian Community keeps the lights on and replenishes resources by restructuring their utility
The Metlakatla Indian Community in southern Alaska faced the prospect of the lights going out due to climate change, loss of industry and outdated, inflexible management protocols. Learn how Baker Tilly’s tribal services team mitigated the immediate crisis and developed a new management structure to better equip future generations to face the energy challenges ahead.
Seneca Nation continues quest for energy independence
The Seneca Nation sought Baker Tilly’s tribal energy consultants for development of a strategic energy plan. Learn how the Nation is making strides toward sustainable energy independence, utilizing green energy and existing fossil resources to develop their community and protect future generations.
ESG lifecycle
While ESG is gaining momentum, it's still an evolving landscape, which makes it difficult to assess, implement and manage programs in an organization. Whether you’re looking to expand on existing ESG efforts or if you’re just getting started, we’ll meet you where you are. Once we gain an understanding of your organization, your culture and your strategy, we’ll work with you to develop an ESG foundation, point of view and guiding principles, focused on the elements that matter most to you and your stakeholders. Then, we'll identify and establish a framework, goals and metrics, policies and governance-related documentation, and guide you through compliance and sustainability reporting for stakeholders.
Define
What is your vision and how does it align with your organizational strategy?
- Engage with leadership to define ESG criteria, goals and objectives
- Align to organization’s strategy, mission and values
- Define internal and external stakeholders
Assess
What topics are most relevant to your organization and where do they stand today?
- Conduct current state assessment
- Obtain internal feedback and conduct peer research
- Conduct materiality assessment
- Complete risk assessment
Develop
What are the next steps to achieve your organization’s goals?
- Review ESG rating
- Conduct gap analysis
- Develop prioritized initiatives and roadmap
- Create program plans
- Select appropriate measurement/reporting framework(s)
Implement
How will you manage and measure the execute of projects?
- Execute program plans
- Create reporting and communications plan
- Activate tracking and monitoring systems
- Establish governance policies, procedures and controls
Monitor and control
How will you ensure lasting adoption and momentum for your goals?
- Activate ongoing monitoring processes and reporting
- Execute communication plan and associated reporting
- Receive third-party attestation/assurance, as needed
- Monitor external landscape
Guiding insights
SEC votes to propose much-anticipated rule requiring climate disclosures
The SEC voted to proceed with a much-anticipated rule proposal that includes mandatory climate related disclosures, with wide-ranging impacts to domestic and foreign registrants.
BuzzHouse: ESG and the rise of responsible investing in multifamily housing
The focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in multifamily housing is on the rise. Our hosts walk through what ESG is, how it is impacting companies, its role in affordable housing and how you can improve your personal ESG metrics.
ESG in private equity: what's coming and how can you be ready?
Watch our on-demand webinar discussing the current ESG landscape and how companies can develop a strategy to prepare and respond to ESG.
SEC 2021 exam priorities: climate change, ESG and cybersecurity
The 2021 SEC examination priorities, affecting all SEC-regulated firms, emphasize climate change and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)-related risks, and cybersecurity.
Top ESG reporting trends and their impact on private equity
This on-demand webinar focuses on the basics of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), top ESG reporting trends and their impact on private equity.
Deal breakers and opportunity makers: the role of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) in M&A
The tide is turning for investments considered purely on financial terms, with new research from Baker Tilly and Acuris confirming the rising importance of ESG to dealmakers.
ESG issues: to report or not to report?
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton recently said that public companies shouldn’t be required to disclose information concerning environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters in their financial statements using a standardized format.