The evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors is reshaping how businesses operate, and the intersection of ESG and sustainability presents a unique opportunity for EHS professionals to elevate their role and impact.
This was the key message delivered by Kathy A. Seabrook, an expert in the field, during a presentation I attended in August at the ASSP conference.
Seabrook is the founder and CEO of Global Solutions, Inc. She works with multinational companies, across industry sector, to help them strategically integrate and manage their environmental safety and health risks through their sustainable business strategies.
People are the core of business
She emphasized the growing recognition of human capital as a core driver of business value, noting that investors and stakeholders are increasingly focused on metrics related to employee well-being and safety.
“People are the core of every line of business,” Seabrook said. “The CEOs are actually saying that as well. This concept of attracting talent — this survey also included chief human resource officers.”
The International Labour Organization estimates that 2.93 million people worldwide lose their lives each year due to work-related accidents. This staggering figure highlights the significant impact of workplace safety on human capital and underscores the business case for robust EHS programs.
Seabrook pointed to a recent Accenture survey of 2,600 CEOs across 128 countries, which found that 73% of CEOs cite talent as their greatest challenge in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This finding reinforces the critical link between a company’s workforce — its human capital — and its ability to achieve long-term sustainability objectives.
She mentioned the interconnectedness of environmental and social factors within the broader sustainability framework. She said that EHS professionals are uniquely positioned to drive progress in both areas, as their expertise in risk management, compliance, and employee well-being is directly relevant to key ESG considerations.
“We don’t have to ask for a seat at the table in sustainability,” Seabrook asserts. “We build the table. We are foundational to sustainability.”
More ISHN reads on sustainability and EHS
- I interviewed a few large companies on their sustainability efforts. You can read what about why MIPS is committed to sustainability and insights from their annual report here: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114271-q-and-a-with-mips-ceo-on-the-companys-sustainability-strategy
- Otter Business also discusses their sustainability efforts in this interview: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114209-a-q-and-a-with-the-otterbusiness-coo-on-the-industrial-market-technology-and-sustainability
- Industrial plants — including manufacturing and power plants — are significant contributors to air pollution, emitting toxic substances that pose serious health risks to workers and the surrounding environment. In this article, learn about holistic methods reduce air pollution in these facilities: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114238-reducing-toxic-emissions-a-holistic-approach-for-industrial-sustainability
- In a world that is rapidly changing as a result of climate change, many industries are looking towards alternatives that can help to make them more sustainable. Read about renewable energy: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114185-how-can-renewable-energy-improve-safety-in-manufacturing
