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ESG and Sustainability for Business and Boards + E-Book
This title helps businesses, directors, senior managers, ESG consultants, and their legal advisors understand the meaning of ESG, the distinction between voluntary and mandatory ESG standards, how it differs from related movements, and the compliance and risk management issues that flow from ESG disclosure and implementation.
Publication Language: English
Published: November 30, 2026
Publisher: LexisNexis Canada
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) factors have become an important area of interest, attention, and legal risk for businesses and boards in Canada. ESG and Sustainability for Business and Boards by Norman Keith helps businesses, directors, senior managers, ESG consultants, and their legal advisors understand the meaning of ESG, the distinction between voluntary and mandatory ESG standards, how it differs from related movements, and the compliance and risk management issues that flow from ESG disclosure and implementation.
Written from a business and board perspective, this book offers a structured, objective and legally grounded review of:
- ESG literacy for directors
- ESG and sustainability standard setters
- Voluntary ESG metrics
- ESG measurement and assurance
- Mandatory legal obligations
- Directors’ duties and liability
- Greenwashing and climate-washing risk
- Supply chain and human rights issues
- Anti-bribery and corruption prevention
- Implementation case studies
- The uncertain future direction of the ESG movement
Mr. Keith’s extensive experience in advising and representing businesses and boards in environmental, social, and governance compliance and dispute resolution matters will provide the reader with both principled and practical insight into this important subject for boards and their legal advisors.
Who Should Read This Book
- Businesses, boards, officers and senior managers who need a clear, objective framework for understanding ESG standards, disclosure, implementation, compliance, and legal risk management
- Legal and business advisors, accountants, consultants, and in-house counsel who advise businesses and boards on ESG obligations, voluntary and mandatory standards, disclosure risks, compliance, and governance issues
- Large, mid-size and boutique law firms who direct clients on corporate, banking, financing, marketing and competition, environmental, employment, human rights, supply chain, governance, securities, contract and tort law issues
- Banking, financial and capital market businesses and advisors who assess risks, opportunities, financing, capital deployment, and business activities
- Government policy makers, business regulators, NGOs, and law schools who require an introduction to ESG factors, standards, policy, regulation, enforcement, and social implications
Preface
Part I: The ESG Movement
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Initiatives Similar to ESG
Part II: Voluntary Standards, Reporting and Legal Risk
Chapter 3: Standard Setting Organizations
Chapter 4: Voluntary Environment Standards
Chapter 5: Voluntary Social Standards
Chapter 6: Voluntary Governance Standards
Chapter 7: Measurement of Voluntary ESG Standards
Chapter 8: Voluntary Standards and Legal Risk
Part III: Mandatory ESG Standards and Legal Risk
Chapter 9: Mandatory ESG Legal Standards
Chapter 10: Mandatory Environmental Standards
Chapter 11: Mandatory Social Standards
Chapter 12: Mandatory Governance Standards
Part IV: Implementation and Future Direction
Chapter 13: ESG Implementation
Chapter 14: Future Direction of ESG
Appendix A: Purpose Clauses in Business Corporation Statutes
Appendix B: Directors and Officers Duties in Business Corporation Statutes
Appendix C: Bibliography
Index
