A recent article, “Why there can be no ESG without EHS transformation" from EY, an accounting and consulting firm, ascertains that EHS professional have a special role, and thus opportunity, to help companies meet their ESG requirements.
The authors note that “leading EHS professionals are taking a contemporary approach to managing EHS in today’s workplaces. This approach considers both the human elements of the organization (such as leadership, behavior, and cultural change) while supporting workers with the necessary processes, structures, and tools to stay healthy and safe, along with protecting and restoring the environment. Few businesses currently meet these transformational requirements for ESG, placing them at odds with the future of work.”
When companies recognize the connections between the EHS and sustainability functions, the authors believe that EHS professionals can help ESG “avoid the pitfalls of the past and fast-track its maturation.”
To achieve a successful EHS transformation, EY research has shown that understanding how a company’s people and systems interact is essential. They name four key elements:
- Integration: embedding EHS in the business process, and replacing silos and linear hierarchies with collaborative networks, supported by digital technologies
- Simplicity: making systems straightforward and people-centric to drive employee engagement and participation
- Focus: keeping a tight focus on critical risks, using technology and automation, to make data collection more efficient and accurate
- Agility: developing agile frameworks, supported by robust processes, which can adapt to the changing world of work
