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United Kingdom

Drafting ESG and Responsible Investment policies for companies and financial institutions: materiality, ambition, governance, stewardship, disclosure and greenwash risk, aligned with TCFD, GRI, CDP, PRI and SFDR

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

Environmental, social, governance (ESG) policy

An ESG policy is the centrepiece of an organisation’s ESG strategy. It serves as a succinct statement of intent from an ESG perspective, setting out at a high level the focus areas and the commitments to be pursued. Some pledges will relate to processes, for example ensuring ESG factors are built into business decision-making and, for financial institutions, into investment decision-making or a Responsible Investment Policy. Others may concern defined ESG topics, such as adopting Net Zero, Zero Waste or Zero Harm targets. It can also reference the organisations, frameworks and/or regulations that have informed the approach or to which it is committing. For more on ESG, see the following Practice Notes:

ESG—new starter guide
Sustainable business and environmental, social, governance (ESG)—introduction for companies and advisers
ESG and sustainability collection

A Responsible Investment Policy is a specific requirement for Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) signatories. There is no formal specification, but the PRI provides guidance on the expected content. The Responsible Investment Policy can be viewed as a development of the ESG policy, where typically...

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Tim Clare

Anthesis

Tim is Anthesis' EMEA lead for their ESG Advisory & Mandatory Reporting business line, based in London. The business line supports clients to develop and implement ESG management and reporting programs, that allow them to meet their sustainability ambitions and regulatory obligations. It also includes a due diligence practice, covering both Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and ESG and business integrity assessments, and supports investors to set and implement Responsible Investment strategies and add value to their investments. Tim is also chair of Anthesis’ global private equity sector and due diligence working groups and he is also very proud to have been asked to be a member of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association's (BVCA) Responsible Investment Advisory Group. Tim has over 28 years of experience in environmental and sustainability consulting, starting in waste minimization and management and EIA, before moving into M&A and wider...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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