In a world where environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are critical to a company's long-term success, how these factors are incorporated into a company's operation and culture is becoming more important than ever.

For listed companies, in particular, an outstanding investor relations (IR) team and an effective sustainability team are essential to integrating ESG strategies into the corporate narrative, accelerating the ESG journey and meeting the growing expectations of investors and stakeholders.

An outstanding IR team and an effective sustainability team help a company better align ESG with business goals, effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage risks and promote innovative measures and campaigns.

In markets like Taiwan, where ESG awareness is highly prevalent, it can be a competitive battleground for the IR and sustainability teams to stay innovative and support their respective enterprises to be the leaders in driving ESG changes with a long-term vision. They must link sustainability to financial performance by demonstrating how ESG initiatives are mitigating future risks or creating new opportunities.

Sustainability teams have shared with Asset Benchmark Research that it is crucial for them to identify their existing ability to generate ESG impacts. How to integrate and amplify these impacts can be a good starting point.

When conducting innovative measures and companies, many IR and sustainability teams consider the preparation stage the most challenging. ESG education and enhancing awareness can be difficult, as public individuals may think that the impact generated from their daily actions can be limited.

Effective communication is crucial in this sense. IR and sustainability teams must collaborate and communicate the company’s ESG efforts effectively to diverse audiences, including the general public, employees, customers and investors.

The IR team, for example, should act as a point of contact with ESG-focused investors, ensuring that ESG initiatives are communicated through sustainability reports, investor presentations and roadshows. This year, Asset Benchmark Research has observed numerous companies expanding their communication activities, either in terms of quantity or through innovative forms.

In addition to the daily routines, an outstanding IR team must translate the company’s ESG initiatives into compelling stories that resonate with investors, focusing on how these efforts contribute to long-term value creation. They communicate not just the outcomes, but also the strategic integration of ESG principles into the company’s growth trajectory, ensuring that ESG is seen as a core business driver.

The sustainability team must engage a broader set of stakeholders, including regulators, non-governmental organizations, employees and local communities. They must ensure stakeholders understand the company’s ESG vision, achievements and future commitments. Effective sustainability teams also proactively seek feedback and adapt their strategies based on stakeholder input.

Furthermore, an outstanding sustainability team should take the lead in formulating the ESG strategy. They must work closely with senior leadership to make sure ESG initiatives are designed with long-term value and resilience.

To see the full list of best investor relations teams please go here.

View the winners of best sustainability officer and teams please go here.

To learn more about these awards, please go here.

For more information about the awards ceremony, please contact us at celebrate@theasset.com