A world polarized by ESG. In 2024, companies and individuals will be required to “change their way of thinking”

On Friday, March 8, 2024, which is also International Women’s Day, Business Insider Japan and MASHING UP, a media and community that pioneers an inclusive future, will hold a 1-day conference that transcends media boundaries.”Wellbeing conference ─ Future society and our well-being”will be held.

Prior to the event, we asked Mari Ogiso, a MASHING UP board member and representative director of SDG Impact Japan, who is familiar with ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) investment and diversity management, about the current status of ESG and gender issues.

ESG has ‘entered a new phase’

──What direction do you see ESG heading in 2024?

2023 was a year in which the world became polarized, with anti-ESG sentiment in the United States and debate over regulations promoting the elimination of greenwashing in Europe. My impression is that Japan was somewhere in the middle.

Personally, I feel that ESG has entered a new phase in 2024.

If ESG 1.0 is the era of “negative screening” that excludes specific negative stocks from investment targets, and ESG 2.0 is the era of advanced investment based on ESG ratings, the future will beIn the era of ESG3.0, social impact such as “Will investing in a company really improve society?” is important.is.

In fact, at COP28 (the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) held in Dubai in 2023, there was a discussion on “What kind of investments can actually reduce CO2 emissions?” .

Disclose not only the good things but also the bad things

──Specifically, what kind of movements are happening globally?

Companies, especially in Europe, are being asked to take action to develop realistic strategies for achieving decarbonization, social good, human rights, etc. through their products.

When I visited Australia at the end of 2023, I saw that washing machines and dryers were labeled to show their contribution to emissions. On the other hand, some products had labels that meant they had a “bad effect.”

Don’t just highlight the good things, but also disclose the bad things. I think this trend will continue to accelerate.

Realistic and down-to-earth discussions will proceed, not only regarding the company itself, but also regarding each product and service, such as whether there is a positive or negative impact, and how to improve it in the future.

──In such a situation, what do you think of the movements of Japanese companies?

I feel that from 2023 onwards, there has been an active debate on how to place ESG at the center of business strategy. There has also been an increase in the movement to publicize both internally and externally the path to achieving these goals as “materiality.”

In the future, I expect that ideas about how to link social impact and business opportunities will further expand.

“The company will do it for you” is no good.

–What are the current challenges and prospects for achieving gender equality?

Up until now, I had the impression that there were a lot of short-term discussions, such as how to increase the proportion of female executives and managers, but recently, I think that discussions are finally starting to focus on the essence of the issue. I feel it.

The percentage of women in executive and managerial positions is just a “number.” Essentially, it is important to make use of individual abilities that cannot be expressed in numbers and to create an environment where employees can work with high motivation.

In that sense, progress in human capital disclosure in a way that links women’s advancement in 2023 is a major step forward. I think the next important theme is to take this further and connect it to individual engagement and well-being.

──The wage gap between men and women is also seen as a problem.

In Japan, occupational segregation between men and women has progressed since the Showa era, and in recent years, the scope of work and the possibility of promotion have been limited in exchange for no transfers due to relocation. As a result, there are cases where women’s wages are lower.

However, this does not increase motivation and makes it difficult to assign the right person to the right job.Even from this point of viewUtilization of human capital and promotion of women’s empowerment are linkedThere are also hints for human capital reform.

It is essential to identify the essence of the problem, dig deeper into specific strategies and systems, and implement them.

──On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we will hold a “Wellbeing conference: Future society and our well-being.” Mr. Ogiso will also be on stage at the session. Please tell us your expectations for the event.

Recently, various companies have proposed and implemented measures to utilize their human resources.

However, from the perspective of “well-being,” it is important that individuals are happy at work, and this is not something that the company can control.

First, let’s start with the idea that “the company will take care of everything”A mindset of “create your own path”to switch to.

In order for a culture of autonomous circulation to take root in Japan, I would like to see work styles that are conscious of career autonomy and well-being. We hope that this conference will be a catalyst for this.

(Interviewer: Hiyori Nakajima[Business Insider Japan Brand Studio]text: Aki Kuroda)

[Tickets on sale now]Wellbeing conference will be held on 3/8 International Women’s Day

What will be the driving force behind the rebirth of society after the pandemic? What is “really needed” in Japan today? And what actions should we take towards an inclusive future where neither the global environment nor people are left behind?

Issues such as “human capital management,” “climate change,” “DE&I,” and “DX and new ways of working” are essential for a company’s growth and survival.Issues and solutions surrounding “ESG (Environment, Society, Governance)”will be discussed three-dimensionally.

■Event overview

• event name:”Wellbeing conference ─ Future society and our well-being”
• Date and time:March 8, 2024 (Friday) 12:00-20:00 (scheduled)
• place:TRUNK (HOTEL)5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo *No online LIVE streaming
• Sponsored by: MASHING UP, Business Insider Japan
• Main contents: sessions, workshops, networking parties, etc. (planned)
• Participation method: Advance application required (approval will be closed once capacity is reached)
• Ticket price: 10,000 yen (tax included)

Details will be announced on the special website in due course. We look forward to your participation.

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