2025_02_20 ESG4Board

20 February 2025, posted by Barbara Dubach on LinkedIn:

85% of the world’s largest companies depend on nature to operate. Yet, only 2% of corporate boards have relevant expertise in sustainability topics. This disconnect is a major risk to 2 things:

  1. long-term business resilience
  2. overall value creation

And new regulations are starting to close this gap:

  • The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
  • The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
  • Switzerland’s Swiss Code of Obligations (OR 964)

Now require boards to take a more active role in sustainability.

Boards must oversee:

  • Due diligence – Integrating sustainability into risk management.
  • Sustainability reporting – Ensuring transparency and compliance.
  • Transition planning – Aligning business strategies with climate goals.
  • Stakeholder engagement – Actively involving investors, employees, and communities.

Yet, many boards are still not prepared for this shift.

And they are the ones accountable for ensuring compliance and execution.

So, what must the boards do today to adapt?

  1. Integrate sustainability into board discussions.
  2. Establish sustainability committees to oversee sustainability issues.
  3. Engage external experts through advisory councils for strategic guidance.

At ESG4Boards, we work with boards to help them navigate this shift, ensuring sustainability is embedded into governance structures.

Our network of 40+ sustainability leaders—including board and advisory board members—can:

  • join boards as members
  • become part of a sounding board
  • teach sustainability courses at schools
  • serve as challengers, advisors for boards
  • provide ESG workshops for board members

I am personally one of the initiators of ESG4Boards. And also a board member, actively involved in teaching and advising boards, because I believe sustainability must be embedded into governance at every level—for a future that is both profitable and sustainable.

Now, the question is no longer if boards should act on sustainability—but how fast they can adapt.

Is your board prepared?

If not yet, send me a message or contact ESG4Boards directly to explore how we can support your board.

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