Introduction

This chapter undertakes an analysis of the current environmental and social challengesSocial challenges facing the modern world, and the growing role that businesses play in addressing them. The main aim of the chapter is to present the research themes of the monograph, with particular emphasis on the impact of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)ESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance concept on organisational practices and the development of the financial market in Poland, in relation to broader European and global contexts. The applied research methodsMethods are discussed, and research questions are formulated. The starting point is the observation that until recently, companies’ pro-environmental and pro-social actions were voluntary, but this is now accompanied by an intensification of regulations, especially at the European Union level. In this context, the concept of ESGESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance, which first appeared in a UN report in 2004 and has since gained importance not only in financial markets but also in organisational management, is discussed. The chapter also draws attention to the growing controversies around the practice of applying ESGESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance criteriaCriteria, including inconsistencies in assessments and ratings resulting from different methodologies, as well as signals of discouragement and criticism—particularly visible in the American market. The structure of the subsequent parts of the publication is presented at the end.