Hughes Hubbard Releases ESG Resource Guide for Companies

Download the ESG Guide here

New York and Paris, August 8, 2022 – Hughes Hubbard & Reed today released How to ESG: A Resource Guide for Establishing an ESG Program for your Company. The ESG Guide provides practical guidance to address the most pressing and current issues in establishing an ESG Program. It is the first such resource published by Hughes Hubbard’s global multi-disciplinary ESG Practice Group, which provides strategic and tactical advice to support successful ESG integration. 

The ESG Guide’s contributors, led by partners Alexandra Poe, Andrew Fowler, and Bryan Sillaman, provide practical information to companies seeking to align themselves with the growing expectations of investors and regulators by acting on environmental, social and governance matters, including climate risk, stakeholder interests, and corporate transparency. 

Many topics addressed in the ESG Guide are complex and subject to circumstances and regulations that are still evolving. The ESG Guide is meant to aid companies which must address what they can do now, even while these considerations are in flux. For lenders and borrowers, operating companies, funds and investment advisers, the 143-page ESG Guide delivers practical guidance on who within the organization should participate in the ESG program, surveys the current state of regulation and near-term, foreseeable developments, recommends topics the ESG program should cover – such as climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion, supply chain and forced labor – and outlines considerations for conducting or complying with government investigations. 

“The ESG Guide goes beyond the headlines to help executives craft a coherent ESG strategy,” said Andrew Fowler. “Compared to purely compliance functions, ESG requires greater cross-disciplinary cooperation, especially for global operations that are subject to differing regulatory regimes. In eight chapters, this guide provides leaders with a stronger basis to address emerging ESG norms and requirements and stay ahead of developing ESG issues.”

“ESG has fully emerged as a critical set of performance measures for companies,” said Bryan Sillaman. “Executives need to have a plan, or they will find themselves disadvantaged relative to competitors that have already thought this through. Hughes Hubbard’s ESG practice includes lawyers from across the firm, from corporate compliance and investigations, capital markets, investment management, employment and other practices, to provide clients with multidisciplinary insight and support. The ESG Guide reflects the full range of our experience.”

“I’ve been engaged with ESG investing since the earliest days of my career when it could not have been more esoteric. The urgency of global warming and a more nuanced understanding of the impact businesses have on people and the planet are now driving change into the mainstream and up to the top of the agenda,” said Alexandra Poe.

The complete Guide is available for download here.

About the ESG Practice Group
Hughes Hubbard has been advising clients on corporate best practices long before ESG became mainstream. Its global, multi-disciplinary team provides the strategic and tactical advice necessary to support successful ESG policies, practices, and business ventures. 

The ESG Practice can guide clients engaged in risk assessment and disclosure, strategic transactions, human capital management, and ESG program development and integration. 

Areas of focus include

• Climate Risk Regulation
• Renewable Energy
• Fund Formation
• ESG Program Development & Compliance Counseling
• Sustainable Finance
• Corporate Governance
• ESG Litigation and Enforcement
• Human Capital Management
• Compliance with Anti-Slavery and other Human Rights Laws

About Hughes Hubbard
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is a New York City-based international law firm with a relentless focus on providing quality service to our clients and delivering successful results in the most complex matters. With a powerful combination of scale and agility, we offer clients innovative and effective solutions, while remaining flexible to adapt to their needs and market developments. Known for a collaborative culture, as well as our diversity and pro bono achievements, Hughes Hubbard has a distinguished history dating back more than a century. For more information, visit hugheshubbard.com.