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Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in Environmental, Social and Governance Criteria and the Sustainability Transformation of the EU Business Sector

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Listed:
  • Phoebe Koundouri
  • Conrad Landis
  • Konstantinos Dellis
  • Angelos Plataniotis

Abstract

The paper reviews environmental, social, and governance (ESG) Criteria and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) within the EU policy framework. It evaluates the integration of the SDGs into existing sustainability reporting frameworks, advocating for more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches to embed long-term SDGs in corporate sustainability reporting. This is considered essential to accelerate the EU business sector's sustainability transformation. Moreover, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of current frameworks in influencing firm behavior, particularly in reducing pollution levels, promoting green innovation, and complying with enhanced disclosure requirements. Finally, it concludes by suggesting that, while progress has been made, there is a need for further alignment and refinement of these frameworks to ensure that they drive meaningful corporate action and policy development towards achieving the transformation to sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Phoebe Koundouri & Conrad Landis & Konstantinos Dellis & Angelos Plataniotis, 2025. "Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in Environmental, Social and Governance Criteria and the Sustainability Transformation of the EU Business Sector," DEOS Working Papers 2526, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:aue:wpaper:2526
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ESG; Sustainable Development Goals; SDG; CSRD; Sustainability Reporting; European Green Deal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development

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