Cornerstone Government Affairs recently launched an innovative ESG collaboration to help organizations navigate the changing ESG landscape.

“Every day brings news of more sustainability and climate commitments. Yet myriad ESG standards, products and ratings that exist in the market today have created tremendous confusion and uncertainty,” said Jack Belcher, principal with Cornerstone, in a release by the Washington-based firm.

The Center for ESG and Sustainability (CESG), launched on Oct. 14, aims to solve this challenge by providing data-driven certifications and standards for organizations seeking to navigate the complex, inconsistent and dynamic ESG and climate landscape, according to the release.

“Through certifications and standards, our approach will give organizations large and small a clear and consistent pathway for performance and decarbonization,” continued Belcher, who will also serve as CESG Vice President.

Through its unique collaboration with Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), CESG will have dedicated access to an extensive data library and globally recognized climate scenario planning and forecasting expertise.

“The growing attention to ESG presents an opportunity to introduce actionable climate information to private sector operations and management, leading to cleaner and more climate-resilient enterprises,” IRI Director John Furlow commented in the release.

CESG will also utilize Cornerstone Government Affairs’ expertise in ESG and public and regulatory policy to enhance sustainability performance and most importantly, create certifications and standards by which organizations can navigate the ESG landscape.

“CESG brings expertise in ESG, sustainability and climate to the global marketplace at a time when it is most needed by society,” CESG President Dr. Jim Duncan added. “As ESG pressures from governments, investors and the public have surged, so too has the demand for clarity and compliance with climate risk protocols.”