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Definitions

ESG is an acronym for English words Ambient (from the English Environment), Sociale (from the English Society) and Gobierno (from the English Corporate Governance).

This term refers to the three main areas of activity of companies, organisations and investors within which they should be guided by the principles of sustainable development and responsible business practices respecting the broad interests of individual stakeholders. In practice, this means that companies and organisations that implement ESG requirements take into account, measure and report on the environmental, social and governance aspects of their business. Similarly, ESG investors consider the environmental, social, and managerial aspects of a company alongside their financial attributes when deciding whether (and how) to invest in them. The analysis of the value generated by the company or investment requires an integrated accounting of financial results and in the scope of ESG.
ESG is a kind of continuation of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The acronym ESG has gained popularity due to numerous sustainability regulations (including at EU level), which use the term to describe measurable requirements and parameters and to take an analytical approach to this broad field.
The abbreviation ESG is used in the context of describing requirements/factors/indicators or evaluation criteria for an entity's commitment and performance in sustainable development activities. Hence, the concept of ESG Risk analysis or ESG Ratings is gaining popularity.
The foundations of ESG include the 17 UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Global Compact initiative, the UN Guidelines on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. As the acronym ESG itself indicates, it can be divided into three main areas: the environment, society and corporate governance.
For: https://odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl/hasla-encyklopedii/esg/?cn-reloaded=1

Sustainable Finance (from English) Sostenible Finance) refer to the process of considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects when making investment decisions in the financial sector, leading to more long-term investments in sustainable economic activities and projects.

Environmental considerations may include climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the environment more broadly, for example, biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention and a circular economy. Social considerations can relate to issues of inequality, social inclusion, labour relations, investment in people and their skills and communities, as well as issues of human rights. The management of public and private institutions — including governance structures, labour relations and executive compensation — plays an essential role in ensuring that social and environmental aspects are taken into account in the decision-making process.
For: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/overview-sustainable-finance_en
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News

Registration for the 3rd edition of the Polish Sustainable Finance Forum is now open!
Event

Registration for the 3rd edition of the Polish Sustainable Finance Forum is now open!

On September 17, 2026, we will meet again at the Warsaw Stock Exchange to discuss the future of sustainable finance and economic resilience.
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EUROSIF Recommendations - Review of the Delegated Act to Article 8 of the EU Taxonomy
Rekomendacje

EUROSIF Recommendations - Review of the Delegated Act to Article 8 of the EU Taxonomy

The consultation conducted by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) concerns technical advice for the European Commission and aims at a targeted review of the disclosure requirements under Article 8 of the EU Taxonomy. These disclosures are crucial for investors, as they allow them to assess the sustainability level of their portfolios, make informed investment decisions, and accurately report metrics at both the portfolio and entity levels.
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POLSIF TALKS #43: A Just Transition – why is the social dimension the key to the success of climate change?
Podcast

POLSIF TALKS #43: A Just Transition – why is the social dimension the key to the success of climate change?

In the latest, 43rd episode of the POLSIF TALKS podcast, we discuss how to achieve climate goals while respecting the needs of people, jobs, and local communities.
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EUROSIF recommendations for CSDDD implementation guidelines
Rekomendacje

EUROSIF recommendations for CSDDD implementation guidelines

The European Commission is conducting a public consultation to help develop guidelines for the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). These will help clarify what due diligence should look like in practice.
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The sustainable fund market in Poland has exceeded PLN 36 billion!
Report

The sustainable fund market in Poland has exceeded PLN 36 billion!

Explore the latest periodic report prepared by Analizy.pl in collaboration with POLSIF for the first half of 2026.
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From diagnosis to solutions – why does the Polish market need an ESG data HUB?
Report

From diagnosis to solutions – why does the Polish market need an ESG data HUB?

Redirecting capital flows toward sustainable and low-carbon economic activities is a fundamental goal of sustainable finance. However, for banks, investment funds, and insurance companies to effectively identify green investments and properly price ESG risks, they need access to reliable, comparable, and standardized data.
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