If there is one person who has played a significant role in expanding Baker Hughes’ sustainability performance and ESG reporting, it’s the company’s vice president of energy transition Allyson Anderson Book, who also chairs the ESG steering team at Baker Hughes.

Book was recently named ESG Champion at Hart Energy’s ESG Top Performers Awards program for her outstanding contribution toward broadening Baker Hughes’ sustainability reporting frameworks and her active involvement in the creation of the company’s net-zero roadmap.

Energy transition, sustainability and ESG are three terms that Book said are often used interchangeably.

“Companies should aspire to work toward sustainability and how we measure progress against that is a topic of E, S and G," Book told Hart Energy in an exclusive video interview.

"Energy transition is really about our commitment as society to get to net zero. By operating sustainably and measuring ourselves against the metrics of ESG, we can show our progress toward getting to net zero, not just as a company but as a global society," she said.

Book went on to explain that energy transition is a “long game” that is going to last forever.

“Once you get to net zero, you don’t plant your flag and say ‘We won!’ You have to continually reassess how you operate and make sure you are still being sustainable and not adding emissions to your operational performance,” she said.

Sometimes when people talk about ESG they add a fourth element, which is profits, she said.

“When you think about companies being able to operate sustainably, you’ve got to think of it with a lens on people who drive progress and profits,” Book said.

She continued, "At the same time you are becoming sustainable and reducing emissions, you can also work on reducing cost and maximizing profits."

“Why wait when you save money by operating more sustainably? You have less turnover with your people, you have trained upskilled workforce…people are your progress. If you can really invest in that space, you can drive profits and progress toward both sustainability and net zero," Book said.

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  • ESG and energy transition (0:40)
  • Baker Hughes’ approach to ESG (2:15)
  • Importance of diversity (3:26)
  • Energy transition approach and progress (5:46)
  • Opportunities for ESG reporting and sustainability (7:29)