A 60-Plus Year History of ESG Accounting and Auditing

Culture around the globe is shifting emphasis and paying greater attention to environmental and social issues and how corporations are addressing these priorities. Investors, lenders, and consumers care about how corporations are dealing with societal concerns. The primary medium for disclosing these matters is through ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. New organizations are now providing guidance. Although ESG reporting has gained notoriety as of late, forms of ESG reporting and discussion on its applicability have been going on for decades. This paper examines the historical contributions that have led to modern ESG reporting and reviews the impact on the future.