Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of business, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles might be undergoing an identity crisis, but its essence remains unshaken. For professionals in the design and construction industry, ESG underscores the profound shift in our understanding of risk and resilience in business. ESG evolution: More than just an acronym At... Continue Reading →
Introduction As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts gain increasing traction, there is a common misconception that ESG in the design and construction industry is only about “sustainability” in terms of environmentally sustainable design services. However, ESG goes way beyond that—it is about sustainable business models. ESG performance, measured against internationally recognized ESG standards and... Continue Reading →
Some design firms have probably heard of ESG risks, which refer to environmental, social, and governance risk factors that can impact a firm’s performance, long-term value, and reputation. There is a common misconception that ESG risk factors are non-financial risks, which is inaccurate. In fact, many ESG risks pose significant financial consequences to businesses and... Continue Reading →
While environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is increasingly becoming a focus in the design and construction industry, there remains quite a bit of confusion over the goals behind ESG and their impact on design firms. Some of the questions that seem to be percolating around ESG are: Is it about concern over profits? Is... Continue Reading →
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly important to design firms for a variety of reasons. In this post, we will explore why ESG matters to design firms and how they can integrate these considerations into their projects and business practices. First, it's important to understand what ESG means. Environmental considerations relate to a... Continue Reading →
ESG factors in investment decision-making has become a “hot potato” topic because it’s largely misunderstood, broadly defined, and the guardrails for companies to report on metrics have not yet been standardized. That said, it’s not too early for design firms to engage meaningfully, given their role in all things climate and many things social. To... Continue Reading →
The world is changing, especially for design firms. The two-year disruption caused by the unpredictable impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic has forced both design firm management and employees to reassess how they provide services. A resurgent economy—provided an extra stimulus by the historic investment by the federal government in the revitalization and expansion of the nation’s... Continue Reading →
In May, the Biden Administration issued its Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk to establish a policy framework for maintaining the integrity of the US financial system as it relates to climate change. The Order was aimed at prioritizing climate change from an economic standpoint and raising the flag for the continued risks of physical... Continue Reading →
Although most design firms are privately owned, they, too, are dramatically impacted by the demand for businesses to address and disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. Firms face increasing pressure not only from environmentalists and human rights activists, but also from elected officials, regulators, and even their lenders. ESG disclosure is becoming necessary because... Continue Reading →
