As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria become central to corporate strategy, organizations face intensified scrutiny regarding the authenticity of their sustainability claims. While polished narratives and selective disclosures are common, stakeholders increasingly demand verifiable, data-driven evidence of real progress. ESG benchmarking provides the structure and credibility needed to distinguish genuine improvement from corporate storytelling. By grounding sustainability reporting in standardized, comparable, and independently validated metrics, benchmarking strengthens transparency, accountability, and trust—ensuring that ESG performance is measured by outcomes, not narratives.
Key Highlights:
- ESG-focused institutional investments projected to grow 84%, reaching US$33.9 trillion by 2026.
- Sustainability influences buying behavior: 78% of consumers value sustainability, yet only 20% trust brand claims.
- Companies with verified ESG practices gain competitive advantage, trust, and long-term brand equity.
- Benchmarking helps investors assess risk and sustainable value creation.
About The Author
Ankur Malhotra
Ankur is a research and knowledge leader with 20+ years of experience in business and financial research, serving clients across investment banking, consulting, accounting, and advisory. He has expertise in establishing global knowledge centers, delivering business intelligence solutions, and driving thought leadership. Before joining HBGTM Insights, Ankur worked with Forvis Mazars, Korn Ferry, and was part of the founding team of Acuity Knowledge Partners. He is a CFA charterholder from ICFAI, Hyderabad, and a graduate of Delhi University.
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