How ESG Backlash is Changing How Companies Operate

11 SEPTEMBER 2023

ESG backlash can be a clarifying moment for companies, prompting them to reevaluate their ESG strategy, priorities, and commitments.

Don’t miss an episode of C-Suite Perspectives

Listen on

Forty-three percent of executives surveyed by The Conference Board expect ESG backlash to increase. Despite bumpy waters ahead, ESG backlash can be a clarifying moment for companies, prompting them to reevaluate their ESG strategy, priorities, and commitments.

In this episode, Paul Washington, Executive Director, Environmental, Social & Governance Center, joins Steve Odland, President and CEO, both of The Conference Board, to discuss ESG backlash—and what organizations should do about it.

Tune in to find out:

The main sources of ESG backlash, according to our latest research
How you can avoid pendulum swings in your organization’s approach to ESG
Why a two-fold approach of a fact-based business case and broad communications offers the best solution
What to focus on to engage the board and senior management in a candid discussion without polarization

For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®:

Return to podcast series

Experts in this series

Join experts from The Conference Board as they share Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®

Steve Odland

President & Chief Executive Officer
The Conference Board…

Read Bio

Paul Washington

President and CEO
Society for Corporate Governan…

Read Bio

C-Suite Perspectives

C-Suite Perspectives is a series hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland. This weekly conversation takes an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®.

C-Suite Perspectives provides unique insights for C-Suite executives on timely topics that matter most to businesses as selected by The Conference Board. If you would like to suggest a guest for the podcast series, please email csuite.perspectives@conference-board.org. Note: As a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, The Conference Board cannot promote or offer marketing opportunities to for-profit entities.

Episodes

Climate Risk Is Rising. Is Our Infrastructure Ready?

C-Suite Perspectives / 09 Mar 2026

As climate extremes intensify, resilient infrastructure is no longer a future consideration; it is a present-day imperative.
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript
What Makes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Work?

C-Suite Perspectives / 02 Mar 2026

New global data reveals strong employee support for diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI).
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript
The State of the Economy for February 2026

C-Suite Perspectives / 24 Feb 2026

Join Dana M. Peterson and Malala Lin to find out what's behind consumers’ expectations for the future, & where CEOs are focusing their growth efforts this year.
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript
Ukraine: Are We Headed for a Frozen Conflict or Bigger War?

C-Suite Perspectives / 23 Feb 2026

Four years into the conflict, the Ukraine war has evolved into a brutal war of attrition—with implications far beyond the battlefield.
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript
How AI Is Reshaping Corporate Sustainability

C-Suite Perspectives / 17 Feb 2026

Learn why companies need to understand AI’s promise and potential drawbacks for environmental sustainability.
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript
What’s Next for CEO and Executive Compensation?

C-Suite Perspectives / 09 Feb 2026

Find out what's new in CEO and executive compensation, including say-on-pay practices and SEC regulations.
Email

Linkedin

Facebook

X

Copy Link

Transcript