Advancing Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practices

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 02 | Page : 1 9
    By

    GAURI KAUSHIK,

Abstract

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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks have emerged as critical pillars guiding sustainable business practices and responsible investment decisions. This review explores the multifaceted role of ESG principles in promoting environmental stewardship, advancing social equity, and ensuring ethical governance. Environmentally, ESG focuses on combating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and managing resources through renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, and carbon emission control. Socially, it emphasizes employee well-being, diversity, community engagement, and ethical supply chains, fostering stakeholder trust and societal value. Governance principles underpin transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making, which are essential for long-term organizational integrity. While ESG implementation offers transformative potential, challenges remain. High costs, lack of standardized frameworks, and regional regulatory disparities hinder widespread adoption. Complex global supply chains and the risk of greenwashing further complicate ESG integration. Despite these barriers, the study highlights how technological innovations, supportive regulations, and increasing stakeholder awareness are accelerating ESG adoption. ESG- aligned organizations benefit from operational efficiencies, enhanced brand reputation, investor appeal, and improved risk management. The study underscores the alignment of ESG goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), illustrating how businesses can drive positive environmental and social change while securing competitive advantage. Additionally, ESG research continues to evolve, with growing emphasis on performance metrics, sectoral applications, and data- driven evaluation frameworks. The analysis concludes that ESG is not merely a compliance tool but a strategic imperative fostering resilient, ethical, and future-ready enterprises. As sustainability becomes a core expectation from stakeholders, integrating ESG across business functions is essential for global progress and equitable development.

Keywords: ESG, sustainability, environmental stewardship, social equity, ethical governance, climate change, corporate responsibility, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), renewable energy, stakeholder trust

[This article belongs to Journal of Thermal Engineering and Applications ]

How to cite this article:
GAURI KAUSHIK. Advancing Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practices. Journal of Thermal Engineering and Applications. 2025; 12(02):1-9.
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GAURI KAUSHIK. Advancing Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practices. Journal of Thermal Engineering and Applications. 2025; 12(02):1-9. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jotea/article=2025/view=0


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 12
Issue 02
Received 05/05/2025
Accepted 20/05/2025
Published 18/06/2025
Publication Time 44 Days
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