Resources on Environmental, Social, and Governance for Employer and Business Membership Organizations

• The business case for EBMOs: This business case outlines how EBMOs are uniquely positioned to drive ESG, leveraging their existing knowledge and experience to enhance member resilience, performance, and income generation, while benefiting from ILO support to advance their ESG initiatives more effectively and efficiently.
• The business case for companies: this business case demonstrates the tangible benefits of adopting ESG practices for companies, including enhanced reputation, improved risk management, access to new markets, and long-term financial sustainability.
  EBMOs can customize it by adding their name to raise awareness among their members.

ESG Leadership essentials: a training course for businesses

The course is designed for delivery by EBMOs, allowing customization to fit the specific needs and circumstances of their members.

The training course equips enterprises with the tools, skills and practical know-how necessary to effectively introduce ESG into their operations. It is designed for Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) worldwide to deliver as a new training course or service for their members.

This short promotional video provides more information on the training course.

The training course helps enterprises to:

• Understand the key principles and components of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), including the business case.
• Assess and manage the risks and opportunities associated with ESG factors, and effectively report on progress.

Materials

• ESG leadership essentials - A sustainability training course for enterprises
• ESG leadership essentials - Workbook for trainers

PowerPoint presentations:

• Module 1 - Leadership Essentials
• Module 2 – What is ESG?
• Module 3 – The business case for ESG
• Module 4 – How to develop an ESG strategy
• Module 5 - How to implement the ESG strategy
• Module 6 - ESG reporting and disclosure
• Module 7 – Sustainable funding

For additional information, please request it through: [email protected]

How to set up successful ESG advisory services. A practical guide for employer and business membership organizations on driving sustainability

With a strong focus on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the guide helps EBMOs create commercially viable services that strengthen members’ sustainability performance while generating new revenue opportunities.

How to set up successful ESG advisory services. A workbook for advisors

Leading the sustainability agenda: global and regional insights for employer and business membership organizations

This report outlines key findings and insights of a survey on environmental, social, and governance issues (ESG) conducted by the ILO among employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) worldwide.

Navigating the ESG Alphabet Soup

This brief, part of the ESG Knowledge Series, explores the definitions and interconnections of core ESG terms, helping you navigate the evolving ESG vocabulary and understand how these concepts contribute to sustainable and responsible business.

Start where you are: ESG for companies of all sizes. The importance of ESG for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) | International Labour Organization

This brief provides a practical introduction to why Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters for businesses of every size, with a special focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It clarifies the business case for ESG, highlights the specific constraints SMEs face, and outlines proportionate, achievable steps that companies can take to begin or strengthen their sustainability journey and how Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) can support them along the way. Designed for Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) and their members, the brief translates global ESG expectations into simple concepts, actionable guidance and examples from SMEs around the world.

The Paraguayan Industrial Union Case Study: This case study explores how the Unión Industrial Paraguaya (UIP) is promoting responsible business conduct and advancing the green transition in Paraguay. Through strategic public-private dialogue and the development of tailored tools and training, UIP is helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) integrate sustainability into their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

Business Chamber Queensland Case Study: This case study highlights how Business Chamber Queensland has supported over 1,600 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia since launching its first sustainability services in 2014. By offering tailored ESG programmes—from energy, water, and waste efficiency to carbon management and inclusive workforce practices—the Chamber has helped businesses reduce costs, improve resilience, and prepare for future sustainability challenges.

Sustainability in the palm growers’ association of Guatemala: As environmental risks intensify and international regulatory pressure on sustainable practices increases, the urgency to strengthen ESG frameworks across the sector becomes ever more pressing. To support this transition, GREPALMA, the Guatemalan Palm Growers' Association (Gremial de Palmicultores de Guatemala), has taken a proactive role in advancing sustainability in the palm oil industry. By promoting ESG best practices, increasing awareness among producers, and strengthening compliance with international norms and standards, GREPALMA is helping to position Guatemala as a leader in sustainable palm oil production, ensuring long-term economic resilience while safeguarding the environment.

Case study - Federation of Kenya Employers' ESG training service: This case study highlights the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) efforts to promote ESG practices among its members, focusing on the development and delivery of targeted ESG training services that address the unique challenges faced by Kenyan businesses, particularly SMEs, in adopting sustainable practices.

• ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
• Putting the I in ESG: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors
• Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration)

• ILO partners with business organizations to drive global progress on environmental, social and governance - 23 December 2025
• Sustainability training to help Malaysian employers navigate rising compliance standards - 17 November 2025
• Strengthening responsible business and sustainable practices in Lao enterprises - 2 September 2025
• Strengthening employer capacities on Environmental, Social and Governance issues in Tokyo - 6 February 2025
• ESG Leadership Essentials Course - Successful Completion - 1 November 2024
• EBMOs to scale up their work on Environmental, Social, and Governance issues - 21 June 2024