The ESG Reset: How Leading Companies Are Navigating What's Next | ESG Decoded Podcast #197

The future (and current state) of ESG has been debated from every angle, but what is actually happening inside companies?In this episode, Emma Cox is joined by Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board, to discuss new research on how organizations are responding to today's evolving ESG landscape. Together, they separate headlines from reality, examining how businesses are adapting their strategies, navigating shifting political and regulatory pressures, and integrating sustainability more deeply into core business decisions.The conversation highlights why many companies are rethinking how they communicate about ESG, what this means for climate commitments and long-term resilience, and how business leaders can stay focused on creating measurable value amid ongoing uncertainty.Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in August 2025. Some data and trends discussed may have evolved since the time of recording. Thank you to our sponsor, Amazon Sustainability, for supporting this episode. Amazon is known for speed and scale. That same approach drives their sustainability efforts. Guided by data and science, and powered by invention, Amazon works backward from ambitious targets to drive measurable progress. Every package delivered, every data center powered, every product designed is an opportunity to make tomorrow better.Learn more about Amazon SustainabilityAmazon’s Energy spotlight: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/stories/spotlight-on-energyAmazon’s Homepage: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/Episode ResourcesDid US Companies Pull Back from Sustainability Reporting in 2025? - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/did-US-companies-pull-back-from-sustainability-reporting-in-2025 Emission Impossible: Corporate Climate Goals Moving from Adoption to Execution - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/Emission-impossible-corporate-climate-goals-moving-from-adoption-to-execution -About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that’s not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we’ll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded Resource Links Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio -Sponsored Episode Disclaimer: This episode of ESG Decoded is sponsored by Amazon. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ESG Decoded, ClimeCo LLC, the Sponsor, or the guest’s organization. Sponsorship provides financial support only and does not give the Sponsor any right to direct, review, or approve the editorial content of this episode, including topics discussed, questions asked, or opinions expressed by the host or guest(s). Views Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are sol