In the past two decades, the traditional role of corporate governance has been greatly augmented and transformed by increased attention to the importance of social inclusion in business decisions and of environmental impacts of business activities, giving rise to the now well-understood linkage among environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This book is the first to thoroughly analyze the ESG phenomenon as a tripartite corporate purpose model and the profusion of laws and regulations it continues to engender.

Drawing on perspectives from law, economics, and business management, the book focuses on those ESG challenges that are most likely to impact companies in the coming years. The author discusses such aspects of ESG law, regulation, and practice as the following:

• impact of digitalization on ESG practices;

• competing ESG perspectives and whether there are signs of convergence toward a more universal model;

• impact of corporate ownership patterns;

• review of hard and soft law responses;

• corporate control under COVID-19 pandemic conditions;

• workplace and workforce transformations;

• various ESG-related corporate scandals and controversies;

• ESG regulatory responses from international entities such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO); and

• seminal ESG cases in various business sectors.

The emphasis throughout is on developments in the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, both because it is in those jurisdictions that ESG challenges have been and are most fully dealt with and because these economies taken together are likely to continue exerting dominating influence across the world.

What this book says about ESG provides pertinent insights and guidance for those seeking a better understanding of ESG practices and underlying theories across major economies. With essential information and guidance for ESG law practitioners, policymakers, and academicians, the book gives clarity and guidance as to who should lead the charge for ESG practices in business enterprises in major jurisdictional settings. Its detailed coverage of best ESG practices will be welcomed by those conducting their business enterprises within approved regulatory perimeters.