A new initiative by The “Big Four” accounting firms – Price Waterhouse, KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte – seeks to identify a set of universal ESG metrics that can be reflected in mainstream annual reports and other corporate financial disclosures. The result of this process to date is 21 core metrics and 34 expanded metrics and disclosures focused on four key pillars of ESG values: principals of governance, planet, people, and prosperity. This is the first truly coordinated approach to ESG reporting by industry practitioners and reflects a willingness by companies to accept, measure and report on their environmental, social and governance responsibilities. This kind of accountability and transparency is likely to have the effect of driving more capital into the ESG space over time.
