A Practical Introduction to ESG Communications

‘Environmental, Social, and Governance,’ or ESG is increasingly embedded in business strategy, delivery, reporting and communications. The issues that make up ESG are broad and complex, from climate change to diversity and inclusion, supply chain and labour practices to corporate governance and cybersecurity. The opportunity for enhancing reputations and impact is high and the risk of doing it wrong can be publicly fatal.  

  

This bespoke training focuses on helping participants to refine their understanding and practical communications skills. It’s a great way to prepare your teams to more skillfully navigate and deliver ESG-related communications and strategies.  

This is for: 

In-house, agency and independent communications and public affairs professionals with a beginner- to intermediate-level knowledge of ESG topics and subsequent reputational risk assessment and applied communications approaches.  

  

This training can be adapted to meet them at their current level of knowledge around ESG and will increase their understanding of and skills around: 

• Key ESG trends and terminology
• The ESG communications ecosystem
• Assessing ESG communications-related risk and making decisions
• Key considerations for communicating ESG topics

  

What’s different? 

This training is brought to you by Betsy Reed, an expert with 20+ years of experience in social and environmental strategy and communications on five continents. Her book ‘Communicating Social and Environmental Issues Effectively’ was published in 2020 as part of the PRCA Practice Guides series and provides an industry-leading practical framework. 
 
During this training, you’ll get: 

1. Content which is relevant and impactful  

1. The opportunity to discuss in group and ask questions of an expert 

1. Practical application through case studies, analysis 

1. Breakout sessions to play with practical strategies in a safe environment 

1. Practical application and a communications framework  

1. Further resources for communicators to continue building their knowledge about ESG topics 

Format 

• Half-day (four hour)  group session, or two two-hour sessions  

• A combination of theory/tools/techniques and practical exercises. 

• Breakout sessions with peers, that helps to build or underpin an internal ‘community of pratice’ and organizational intelligence about ESG topics 

  

Topics covered can be adapted to reflect existing knowledge of participants and could include: 

•        climate change,
•        diversity and inclusion, 
•        supply chain and labour practices,
•        corporate governance and
•        cybersecurity and data privacy.

  

About the trainer 

Betsy Reed is a leadership and sustainability advisor, trainer, author and speaker. She has spent the entirety of her career focused on social and environmental issues.  
 
Over the course of the past 20 years, Betsy has worked on five continents and established an impactful career focused on communications, public affairs, campaigning and behaviour change with governments, NGOs, academic institutions and businesses. For the past nine years,  she has worked as an independent advisor and mentor to leaders and leadership teams on issues ranging from ESG to diversity and inclusion, wellbeing to purpose-driven culture. 

  

Past roles include leading Nestle UK’s sustainability public affairs programme, serving as Head of Campaigns for Zero Waste Scotland, working as Director of leading international communications agency Grayling’s sustainability unit and serving as the first Director of Scotland’s national fair trade body. Betsy was invited to write the book ‘Communicating Social and Environmental Issues Effectively,’ published in summer 2020 by the UK PR and Communications Association (PRCA) and Emerald Publishing. It has been called ‘the definitive guide to planning and delivering great communications on complex social and environmental issues.’  
 
Originally from the US, Betsy is also British and is currently working on obtaining Spanish nationality, as a long-time resident of Spain. She is currently a Professor of Leadership at a university in Barcelona and is Head Tutor for the Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) popular executive education course ‘Communicating for Influence and Impact.’  

  

She also produces a podcast called ‘The Discomfort Practice,’ teaches mindfulness to leaders and integrates all of her areas of expertise to create and deliver trainings that are holistic, well-structured, interactive and practical.