I was curious and tried to understand this unexpected popularity. Summary and interpretation of the comments: firstly, there are those who have a consistent past and history of dedication to sustainability and who feel irritated or less valued by the recent mobilization around the themes of sustainable development and the emerging claim for such ESG expertise. To these people, I reply that they shouldn't worry, this mobilization is a victory and they have certainly played their part in raising awareness.
Let's not start judging motivations, and if there is any opportunism, it is, after all, very opportune. What we can do is take advantage of the good will and the new zeal to gain dimension and multiply good practices, putting pressure on leaders. Integrating sustainability into political and economic decisions is a multidimensional and inexhaustible source of innovation.
There is no longer any job or profession that can escape it. There is work and a future for everyone.
Another reaction is one of great skepticism, which I share: "What does this formula `specialist in ESG' mean?" If we take it seriously, we're almost back to the 18th century, when a committed scholar could access universal knowledge. Unfortunately, the three letters of ESG (which stand for Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) fall into a multitude of complex issues. At best, we can claim to have a good general knowledge of sustainability issues (a much more interesting word than the meaning of the ESG acronym, which isolates the dimensions); we can be an expert in one of the sub-dimensions; we can understand very well the interdependence between environmental, climate and social issues and their relationship with companies - from a strategic perspective, with the ability to guide and argue arbitrations and look at dilemmas. With a critical sense and, above all, the ability to ask experts the right questions. That's what we try to do at Sair da Casca. Always in partnership with organizations and experts. For me, this is the most challenging and interesting feature - bringing together technical expertise, scientific knowledge, sensitivity to the market context and the need to increase information for professionals and the general public.
*Republished with the permission of RH Magazine (original version in RH Magazine March/April 2023)
