Le contenu
HEC Montréal Logo

Measuring Beyond Initiative

Expertise and partnerships in measuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors

 

HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School are partnering to develop knowledge on measuring corporate performance based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Through this initiative, the partner institutions will also equip business partners with tools for sustainable and responsible management.

 

opportunities for rewarding collaboration

Through Measuring Beyond, HEC Montréal contributes to creating and sharing knowledge that will lead to improved application of standards and translate ESG factors’ integration into business and corporate social responsibility goals.

 

“Billions of dollars are being transferred to sustainable investments and the trend is gathering speed. The world is in transition, and it is crucial that managers have an in-depth understanding of the challenges brought by climate change and matters of ESG, as well as the resulting business opportunities.”

Iwan Meier, Full Professor, holder of HEC Montréal’s Chair in Sustainable Finance

 

The strategic integration of ESG criteria enables us to manage social and environmental risks, but more importantly, it creates new business opportunities. It also creates long-term value for investors, businesses, and stakeholders.

what your organization will gain from this collaboration

  • Prepare to incorporate ESG factors into your business strategies and performance communications for greater transparency and accountability.
  • Make a significant contribution to the momentum of the international movement to define common measures.
  • Become a pioneer in designing new business performance measures that are credible and responsible.

Contact us

Nadia Karina Ponce Morales
Coordinator – Sustainable Development
Sustainable Transition Office
nadia-karina.ponce-morales@hec.ca
514 340-6343

ESG criteria: towards more sustainable ways of managing

The ESG criteria measure an organization’s performance on Environmental, Social, and Governance practices. Applying the criteria can be very useful, such as for identifying practices that have a positive impact on the environment, society, and good corporate governance. It can, for example, be used to go beyond the usual financial criteria in pursuit of sustainable and responsible investment.

As calls ramp up internationally for standardization of these measures, HEC Montréal is contributing to the creation of knowledge rooted in its expertise and close relationship with the business community.

a few examples of pratices with integrated esg factors

Impact of company operations on the environment

  • Protects biodiversity
  • Uses clean energy
  • Conserves water
  • Limits the amount of waste produced

Impact of company operations on society

  • Offers fair work conditions
  • Ensures gender equity
  • Treats minorities fairly
  • Does not manufacture weapons

Governance factors

  • Does not pay executives excessive compensation
  • Sets up transparent accounting
  • Pays its fair share of taxes
  • Fosters a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion
Source and full list of examples: Autorité des marchés financiers (March 2023)

International standards for evaluating corporate performance

The launch of the Measuring Beyond initiative comes on the heels of the recent arrival in Montréal of the North American office of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). This organization sets international standards for measuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

  • The academic communities of Saïd Business School (University of Oxford) and HEC Montréal are partnering with the ISSB and large businesses to help develop suitable, comparable, and effective standards.
  • A Chair in sustainable finance, held by Iwan Meier, Full Professor for the Department of Finance, was created through this initiative. The Chair’s research focuses on the impact of taking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns into account on investment performance and investors’ decision making. This research leads to the transfer of knowledge to the business community.
  • Montréal firm Lallemand has become the first strategic partner of Measuring Beyond by contributing one million dollars to getting the initiative off the ground.

 

To contact the Sustainable Transition Office

Sustainable Transition Office
Côte-Sainte-Catherine building
3000, chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Office 3.870 (see floor plan)
Montréal (Quebec) Canada
H3T 2A7


Sustainable and responsible management > Measuring Beyond Initiative