In recent years, corporate sustainability has evolved, on CEO agendas, from a “nice-to-have” business expectation to a “have-to-have” priority.

To help GACC members better understand the evolving sustainability agenda and integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) perspectives into their 2021 planning, AccountAbility's Chief Executive Officer Sunil A. Misser spoke with German American Trade Magazine - featured in the Q4 2020 magazine edition.

The interview discusses:

• The importance of sustainability matters in the current global environment
• Examples of strategic ESG issues that business leaders should integrate into their corporate agenda in the near- and long-term
• AccountAbility's predictions regarding the ESG issues that will have the biggest impact on CEOs and Boards in 2021

Relative to 2021 planning, Mr. Misser shared:

"We believe 2021 will be the year of 'less discussion, more action,' as ESG topics that have long been in the consciousness of CEOs and Boards will be brought 'front and center' as a result of calls for corporate accountability from investors, consumers, governments, regulators, and other key stakeholder groups.

As such, we anticipate seeing increased corporate ESG actions, commitments, and disclosures around the areas of:

1. Linking executive compensation to ESG performance
2. Increasing pressure from Institutional Investors to incorporate Sustainability/ ESG into the business
3. Expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, programs, and commitments"

View the full the Q4 2020 GAT here, or download AccountAbility's interview excerpt by clicking the download box below.