When it comes to ESG, big companies can learn a few things from small ones

THE bakery next to my house closed its doors a month ago. Its closure left me with the realisation that environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies have long been a part of the business world; they just weren’t always embraced by large companies.

Societal, political and investor pressures have pushed many companies to put out ESG statements. Few have genuinely committed to these principles. The pursuit of industrialised efficiency remains more highly valued.

In contrast, many small businesses have long considered community, culture and quality in their operations.