It’s worth noting, however, that there’s a difference between doing something and making a difference. A hollow response to these issues is not enough: ESG is now more than just doing good.

Businesses need to really consider what being truly ethical really means, and extending ethical practices throughout their supply chains. Unfortunately, your word is not enough here. Many companies have been caught out in a ‘gotcha’ moment, where boardroom claims about sustainability or diversity were directly contradicted by facts on the ground.

What’s more, businesses are increasingly asking for proof of ESG metrics in their RFPs and throughout the pitching process. They might want to know your green score, measures of equality in your hiring processes, or even sustainability in your supply chain.

That means it’s in your interest to invest in a technology that can give you those metrics and keep you on track. Workflow technology, for example, can help you stay on top of your supply chain, streamline safety audits, identify climate-related risks, and act on any issues that come to light immediately.

I say a technology, singular, not technologies, for a reason. Using a single platform on which to manage and measure business processes gives you one single source of truth. With an accurate representation of how your business is performing, how you’re managing the needs of your employees, and so on, it ensures that your processes are objective, your waters are unmuddied, and allows you to make fair comparisons on a level playing field. And that should mean you avoid that dreaded ‘gotcha’ moment.