Our ESG Framework
In today’s world, the actions of organisations are deeply intertwined with environmental, social and governance concerns. Excelling in these three dimensions is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but has become ‘table stakes’. The adoption of ESG programmes is integral to maintaining and creating sustainable organisational value and impact.
Environment
Environmental factors address an organisation’s environmental impact and environmental stewardship. This dimension is focused on improving the environmental performance of an organisation.
The standard United Nations (UN) World Commission on Environment & Development defines ‘environmental sustainability’ as about "acting in a way that ensures future generations have the natural resources available to live an equal, if not better, way of life as current generations."
Topics include:
- Climate change
- Nature loss
- Fresh water availability
- Water pollution
- Air pollution
- Solid waste
- Resource availability
The definition has been expanded over the years to include perspectives on human needs and well-being, including non-economic variables, such as education and health, clean air and water, and the protection of natural beauty.
For BDO, our environmental objectives include complying with all the relevant jurisdictional laws and regulations and seeking to minimise our environmental impact and improving our environmental stewardship.
This can include:
- Integrating environmental considerations into our work practices
- Reducing environmental risks and costs through the regular assessment of our operations and effective use of innovative environmental technologies and practices
- Ensuring that our people are informed about applicable environmental requirements and behaviours
- Engaging with our suppliers, contractors, partners and wider stakeholders regarding environmental best practice.
Social
Social factors refer to how an organisation manages relationships with and creates value for stakeholders and its impact on employees, customers and the community.
This dimension is broad-ranging and diverse and includes:
- Health and well being
- Dignity and equality
- Future skills
- Innovation of better products
- and services
- Community and social vitality
- Employment and wealth generation
Embracing diversity and equality is an integral part of the BDO culture and this is reflected in our WHY. We also celebrate International Women's Day annually.
Our people are core to our business and we strive to create an inclusive, diverse and empathetic culture – both inside and outside BDO. We make a concerted effort to ensure all our employees feel safe, valued and free to be their most authentic selves.
Our firms aim to provide a flexible working environment and to ensure that their people are offered the same opportunities to develop their talent, maximise their potential and achieve their goals.
From an external perspective, our community activities are closely linked to our WHY:
People helping people to achieve their Dreams
Governance
Governance factors refer to an organisation’s leadership and management philosophy, practices, policies, internal controls and shareholder rights.
This includes:
- Governing purpose
- Quality of governing body
- Stakeholder engagement
- Risk and opportunity oversight
- Ethical behaviour