ESG and Businesses: Ambition Facing Reality

Under pressure from investors, regulators and the general public, ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria have become an essential part of corporate strategy. However, there is a growing gap between stated commitments and actual implementation. Greenwashing, unclear indicators and a lack of standardization are hampering the effectiveness of these approaches. In response, the European CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) imposes rigorous non-financial reporting, with over 1,000 criteria divided into 12 ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) covering aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions (ESRS E1), biodiversity (ESRS E4), human rights (ESRS S1) and corporate governance (ESRS G1). This complex framework generates high costs for companies, and is increasingly challenging the ESG process, which is perceived as a constraint rather than a lever for transformation. Between regulatory requirements and economic imperatives, the future of ESG lies in the simplification and harmonization of standards to avoid a mass rejection of these obligations.