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ESG Ratings Explained: Frameworks, Methodologies & Scoring

What Are ESG Ratings?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings measure a company’s exposure to long-term sustainability risks and how effectively management mitigates those risks compared to industry peers.

The Three Pillars

  • Environmental (E): Greenhouse gas emissions, water stewardship, biodiversity impact, clean technology transition, and toxic waste management.
  • Social (S): Labor practices, workplace health and safety, supply chain human rights, data privacy, and community relations.
  • Governance (G): Board independence, executive compensation alignment, shareholder rights, accounting integrity, and anti-corruption policies.