Upcoming Webinar
The ESG Backlash: How Companies Are Adjusting
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Date
25th September 2025
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Duration
40 minutes
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Format
Via Zoom
Featured Speaker
Michael Costello is Group Director of ESG at Stahl, where he leads the company’s global sustainability strategy and cross-industry engagement on climate action, chemical management, and supply chain transparency. With over 30 years of experience and roles on the boards of the ZDHC Foundation and the Renewable Carbon Initiative, Michael is a recognised authority in ESG leadership, combining technical expertise with a strategic vision for sustainable business transformation.
Webinar Overview
From its origins in the 1970s to its mainstream adoption in the 2010s, ESG has shaped how companies report, invest, and operate. But in recent years, ESG has faced mounting scrutiny and political pushback — from challenges to net-zero targets, to scepticism around DEI policies and investor activism.
This webinar explores the evolution of ESG, the drivers of today’s post-pandemic backlash, and the implications for companies navigating shifting expectations. With a focus on clarity and real-world impact, the session will highlight how organisations are responding — whether by reframing commitments, adjusting disclosures, or embedding sustainability goals more deeply into corporate strategy.
Designed for those working across ESG, operations, risk, or strategy, this webinar forms part of our Sustainable Action Dialogues series, equipping professionals with the knowledge and perspective needed to lead through uncertainty.
What You’ll Learn
- The history of ESG from the 1970s to 2019
- The ESG boom and the investment premium it created
- The post-pandemic backlash against corporate policies - from DEI to net-zero
- How companies are realigning policies to maintain resilience, credibility, and long-term value creation