ESG vs CSR vs Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability refers to the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It is a broad concept rooted in environmental protection, social equity, and economic resilience.

In practice, sustainability touches everything from:

• Renewable energy adoption,

• Waste management,

• Community development,

• Long-term value creation in business and government.

ESG

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a framework used to evaluate and measure how well an organization performs in sustainability-related areas.

Unlike sustainability, which is visionary, ESG is operational. It translates sustainability into metrics, policies, and investor expectations.

• Environmental: carbon footprint, energy use, pollution control.

• Social: worker rights, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), community impact.

• Governance: transparency, anti-corruption, board diversity.
  
  

In essence, sustainability is the goal, and ESG is the tool used to measure and achieve it.

CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about a company’s voluntary efforts to make a positive social or environmental impact, often through charity, community projects, or ethical labor practices.

CSR is typically:

• Non-binding,

• Program-based (e.g., scholarships, donations),

• Externally focused (social goodwill).
  
  

But while CSR is valuable, it often lacks integration into core strategy. ESG, by contrast, is about risk management and embedding sustainability into business decisions.