The Law and Economics of ESG

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined as “the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large.” In recent years, CSR has morphed into a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.

Investors, regulators, employees, and the public are increasingly asking companies to manage their environmental and social impact. The global pandemic, racial injustice, rising income inequality, and climate change are heightening the demands for capitalism to take account of its stakeholders. This course will introduce students to the ways government and business are responding to those demands, by examining CSR’s and ESG’s legal, ethical, and business landscape.