NAVIGATING THE INTERPLAY: ESG, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING- AN EXAMINATION OF REGULATORY RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

With the growing advocacy on Environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns and sustainability of companies globally, there is a shift on how business is done. The paradigm shift is running businesses purposefully as against profitability alone. Consequently, it has become paramount for companies to prioritize both quantitative (financial) and qualitative (non-financial) factors with disclosures in their business reporting. These concepts raise opportunities and bring to fore risk management issues for companies, and the place of policy making in driving home the applicability of these concepts. This paper seeks to examine the concepts and dynamics of ESG, sustainability, sustainability reporting, and their relevance to the governance of companies in Nigeria as compared with international best practices. Most importantly, the role of the law and policy making in building sustainable and ESG compliant companies and businesses.