Theme timeline
A history of ESG
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More than seven decades have passed since the UN's first resolution on human rights. Since then, corporate sustainability has come a long way as organisations strive to tackle challenges around the environment, society and governance (ESG).
As sustainability has evolved, environmental challenges (such as climate change and carbon emissions) have been the focus, although social and governance factors have become more prominent in recent years. Corporations have realised that effective handling of ESG challenges will ensure long-term success.
Milestones such as the Paris Agreement, the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, and the launch of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have changed the lens through which we perceive corporate profitability.
These and other milestones in the journey of corporate ESG are listed in the timeline below.
The journey of corporate ESG
1948
The UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
1967
The Environmental Defence Fund was formed to pursue legal actions against environmental damage.
1969
The National Environmental Policy Act was passed in the US.
1971
Greenpeace, a non-governmental environmental organization, was founded.
1980
The Global 2000 Report to the President recognised the significance of biodiversity in the ecosystem.
1993
The first meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development took place.
1999
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index was launched.
2000
The UN’s Millennium Development Goals were established.
2001
China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO).
2002
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in South Africa.
2005
The Kyoto Protocol came into force. The term ‘ESG’ was coined by the UN Global Compact.
2008
The UK Climate Change Act was proposed.
2009
China overtook the US as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
2010
The world Business Council for Sustainable Development first introduced its Vision 2050 study.
2016
The Paris Agreement was signed.
The UN launched its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2017
The US pulled out of the Paris Agreement.
The UK introduced its Clean Growth Strategy and gender pay gap reporting.
2021
The COP26 climate change summit was held in Glasgow, Scotland.
The EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) came into effect.
2022
The COP27 climate change summit will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
2023
The implementation of the Paris Agreement by member countries will be evaluated for the first time.
2030
Deadline for signatories of the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels.
Deadline for signatories possessing 90% of the world’s forests to halt and reverse forest loss.
The UK will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.
2035
The US will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.
2050
Deadline for Europe to become carbon neutral.
Deadline for the US to become carbon neutral.
2060
Deadline for China to become carbon neutral.
2070
Deadline for India to become carbon neutral.
Source: GlobalData Thematic Intelligence
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Thematic Intelligence uses proprietary data, research, and analysis to provide a forward-looking perspective on the key themes that will shape the future of the world’s largest industries and the organisations within them.
