ESG Series: Part III: Key Considerations for Optimizing Governance

Heightened scrutiny, increased regulations and lawsuits, and numerous business functions covering a wide range of ESG issues — it all amounts to considerable pressure on corporate boards and management to create long-term value while monitoring ESG-related risks. This third program in our series, which expands on various sections of the ABA’s book, will examine the role of boards and management in ensuring effective governance practices.

The topics we will review include:

• ESG risk considerations ranging from litigation, regulatory, and disclosure to reputational and climate-related issues
• Added challenges due to ESG backlash when balancing the concerns of different stakeholders and the best interests of the company
• Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance as a potential tool for mitigating potential legal exposure
• Effective management systems for capturing ESG metrics and measuring progress toward strategic ESG goals