Pollen’s Post

ESG x Governance (7): Of Multinationals & Start Ups This is the seventh of a series of interviews intended to help our IDN members grapple with the ESG topic. In this episode, we delve into the experiences of a seasoned executive turned INED, with unique experiences in both, multinationals as well as start ups Over at the INSEAD IDN we published a new blog post on the topic of ESG in our ongoing series. This time we look towards the Nordics, Finland specifically. And a unique profile: a track record in both multi-nationals as well as start ups. Jukka Märijärvi emphasizes the Scandinavian commitment to ESG, where ethical responsibility is woven into corporate culture and governance. He highlights how Nordic companies proactively integrate ESG—citing examples like Ålandsbanken's Baltic Sea initiatives and Nokia's early environmental standards—demonstrating a genuine, long-term approach to sustainability beyond mere compliance. However, Jukka also points to regional challenges, including alignment gaps between executives and boards, and the environmental cost of AI and other technologies. https://lnkd.in/dFWhWz2A #startups #multinationals #scandinavia #ESG #peerlearning #beyondcompliance #AIinESG #thecostofAI #walkingthetalk #ESGgovernance #IDP #IDN

IABCA is excited to profile Arvind Agarwal, our 2024 Business Leader of the Year finalist. Arvind is a founding member and the CEO of C4D Partners. In this position, he heads the global operations of the funds and has played a catalytic role in supporting and building organizations that are making a positive difference to society and simultaneously creating wealth for the stakeholders. With almost two decades of experience in PE/VC investing, of which nearly a decade is in impact investments, Arvind is an Alternative Investment Professional focusing on social impact investing that fosters economic inclusion and meaningful impact for marginalized communities. Under his leadership, C4D Partners has won the “Best Sustainable Finance” award at the ESG World Summit & GRIT Awards 2022 and the “Best Diversity Initiative – Asset Management Company” by Private Equity Wire AAA ESG European Awards 2022. IABCA looks forward to hosting you at the IABCA Immersion Week in Australia from 12-17 August 2024. Winners are announced at the Gala Ceremony on 16th August 2024 at the Great Hall, Parliament of Canberra. Join the conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dxUVPp9S Commonwealth Bank Deakin University South Asia Australia India Business Council Export Council of Australia NSW Government HomeWorld Group of Companies Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC) Australia India Institute Invest India Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce High Commission of India, Canberra, Australia Ministry of External Affairs, India Australia India Youth Dialogue Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Australian Government Suzlon Group Cricket Australia HCLTech Business Council of Australia Indian Link Centre for Australia-India Relations Invest Victoria Government of Western Australia Trade and Investment Queensland Indiaspora Elumina Business NSW Powerhouse Australia-India CEO Forum

Project Greenprint is an initiative launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2020 to create a DATA-CENTRIC ECOSYSTEM to SUPPORT the SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA. Its two thrusts are: 1. Building digital UTILITIES, and 2. Developing a vibrant ESG FinTech ECOSYSTEM. HOW IS PROJECT GREENPRINT PROGRESSING? ✅ In September 2022 MAS and SGX Group jointly launched ESGenome, a DIGITAL DISCLOSURE PORTAL for SGX-listed companies to REPORT ESG DATA, and for investors to ACCESS this data in a standardized format.  ✅ In November 2023 MAS launched Gprnt, a simplified ESG REPORTING TOOL for both large businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that also allows end-users (such as financial institutions, regulators and investors) ACCESS for relevant data and timely insights to support their sustainability-related initiatives and decision making. ✅ Following its launch, Gprnt will EXPAND its CROSS-BORDER CAPABILITIES to better serve the more sophisticated data needs of larger multi-national entities and other regional economies. HIGH QUALITY SUSTAINABILITY DATA is CRITICAL for better decision making by companies, investors and financial institutions as they look to deliver against the UN SDG 2030 goals and their respective net zero transition pathways. However, SMEs, which form the backbone of the global economy, face numerous CHALLENGES to commencing their sustainability reporting journeys. For Singapore-based SMEs, MAS collaborates with government agencies such as the ACRA - Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Enterprise Singapore, and IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) to ensure that Gprnt’s reporting solution can fully support local SMEs’ reporting needs. For more insights, read: 🔎 https://lnkd.in/g7ExHFrD How can startups and SMEs in ASEAN leverage Project Greenprint? WinSolutions | Winning Impact supports and invests in #innovators, #entrepreneurs, #startups and #smallbusiness with viable disruptive innovations in #biodiversity, #healthyfood, #nutrition, #healthcare and #renewableenergy spaces aimed at SECURING future SUSTAINABLE LIFE on our planet.

➡ Did you know that diverse-owned businesses are leading the way in creating businesses that focus on social and environmental impact alongside financial success. This trend is part of a broader shift towards stakeholder capitalism, where companies consider the needs of all stakeholders, not just shareholders.   💡 Why is this the case? Diverse-led companies usually bring these characteristics to the table;   #SocialImpact Focus: They aim to address societal issues and create positive change.   #Sustainability: They focus on environmental sustainability in their services and products.   #InclusivePractices: They tend to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment.   #CommunityEngagement: They have a strong emphasis on giving back to and supporting local communities.   Despite their positive impact, #diverseowned businesses face significant challenges in access to funding which remains a major hurdle. ➡ Women-owned businesses for example account for roughly 2% of all venture capital investment globally. In Europe, businesses founded by women raised just 1.8% of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in 2023.   It has been found that around 70% of shoppers are willing to spend more money on products that have been produced sustainably. So if you are a customer-centric business, you should take action and meet the growing demand for goods that are good for the planet and society!   For these reasons, incorporating diverse-owned businesses and social enterprises into your supply chain can help your business achieve a positive #socialimpact and #environmentalimpact while being financially successful AND satisfying your customers. fips consulting #supplierdiversity #socialsourcing #inclusivesourcing Telos WEConnect International Europe MSDUK ESDP EGLCC - The European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy, driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth. Europe is home to 23 million SMEs, employing around 100 million people and contributing to more than half of the continent's GDP. At Mess4ge, we're committed to supporting SMEs in their journey towards excellence in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Today, we highlight the incredible resilience and creativity of SMEs across Europe. Mess4ge, a project funded by the EU, is dedicated to helping SMEs in their ESG reporting by providing a user-friendly template to streamline their journey. This initiative simplifies the reporting process, making it easier for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices and improve their ESG performance. Join us as we continue to empower SMEs with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we can make a significant impact and lead the way in ESG excellence. Here's to the SMEs driving positive change and building a brighter future for all! 💪🌏 #SMEsDay #Europe #ESG #Sustainability #Innovation #SmallBusiness #Mess4ge #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment #ResponsibleBusiness #PositiveImpact University of Galway | University of Nicosia | SGS | ECOLE Enti COnfindustriali Lombardi per l’Education | IDEC S.A. | Σύνδεσμος Α.Ε. & Επιχειρηματικότητας | Léargas

Building successful partnerships between impact entrepreneurs and large companies can significantly help meet sustainability targets. Corporates play a key role in adhering to the Paris Agreement and achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, many face challenges like reducing indirect emissions and navigating complex regulations. Collaborating with start-ups and impact entrepreneurs offers a way forward. Energy giant Enel, for instance, boosted its sustainability efforts by tapping into external solutions through its global innovation hubs. Understanding what motivates these partnerships, the challenges involved, and how to promote effective collaborations is crucial for driving sustainability. Explore more about this topic in the full article here. https://lnkd.in/gUQW2FeZ #Sustainability #Leadership #Strategy

🧭 Navigating #sustainabiity and #digitalisation for SMEs! As we dive into how SMEs can sustainably integrate emerging techologies, our latest article sheds light on the pivotal role of greentechs in ASEAN. 🤩 Discover strategies that SMEs are adopting to balance innovation with eco-conscious practices. Check out the article and see how these intersect to forge a greener future for businesses across the region 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7R-QQe5 #greenbusiness #businessgrowth #SMEs #digitaltransformation #greentech

Building successful partnerships between impact entrepreneurs and large companies can significantly help meet sustainability targets. Corporates play a key role in adhering to the Paris Agreement and achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, many face challenges like reducing indirect emissions and navigating complex regulations. Collaborating with start-ups and impact entrepreneurs offers a way forward. Energy giant Enel, for instance, boosted its sustainability efforts by tapping into external solutions through its global innovation hubs. Understanding what motivates these partnerships, the challenges involved, and how to promote effective collaborations is crucial for driving sustainability. Explore more about this topic in the full article here. https://lnkd.in/gUQW2FeZ #Sustainability #Leadership #Strategy

Sustainability and responsible business practices are more crucial than ever. 🌎 Companies utilizing open innovation show a remarkable 20% improvement in their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance metrics, driven by the adoption of innovative and responsible business practices. 🌱✨ Open innovation is not just a trend; it's a strategic approach to tackling global challenges. Through collaborative efforts, companies can develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance their ESG impact while driving growth and competitiveness. From reducing carbon footprints to improving social inclusivity and strengthening governance practices, the benefits are substantial and far-reaching. We've seen firsthand how these partnerships lead to tangible results. Corporates gain access to innovative technologies and fresh perspectives, while startups benefit from the guidance, scale, and the market reach of established companies. It's a win-win scenario that accelerates progress and drives meaningful change. Ready to learn more about the possibilities of open innovation and join us on this exciting journey? 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gHtTg7rZ #OpenInnovation #ESG #Sustainability #Startupbootcamp #Innovation #ResponsibleBusiness#SDGs #ESGgoals #innovationwillsavetheworld

Think ESG is just for big businesses and not SMEs and Startups? Think again! 🔥 In today's world, consumers, investors, and even governments are demanding sustainable practices from businesses of ALL sizes. ⚖ Here's why MSMEs in India can't afford to ignore ESG: 1. Staying competitive🥇: MNCs are ditching suppliers who don't meet ESG standards. Don't get left behind! 2. Future-proofing the business♻️: Climate regulations and resource scarcity are coming. Be prepared. 3. Attract funding💰: Investors increasingly favour businesses with strong ESG credentials. Though it may seem a daunting task, here are the top 3 things you can start with: 1. Start small, scale up⌛: Focus on low-hanging fruits like energy efficiency or water conservation. 2. Measure your impact📏: Track key metrics to showcase your progress and impact. 3. Partner with the right suppliers🤝: Collaborate with ESG-conscious suppliers to strengthen your value chain. Listen, if you run an SME or a startup, ESG reporting should be on the top of your agenda. Share it with someone who runs an SME or a startup. #ESG #Sustainability #Business