ESG: what is the importance of the social for architecture?

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance. The acronym ESG, which in Portuguese alludes to environmental (Environment), social (Social) and corporate governance (Governance) practices, is a concept that addresses the three main areas in which organizations must invest in order to positively impact society . One of the most complex of them is the side Social ESG, which implies building bonds and responsibilities.

What is the “S” in ESG?

The famous “S” of ESG brings a very broad and diverse view of how companies treat it. Some understand it as a social responsibility factor, others focus on internal social actions and good labor practices, while there are also those that act in a more welfare-oriented way. In fact, whatever the meaning given to the “S”, the main objective is to have a positive impact on the community in which the company operates.

What is addressed in the social part?

Within this context, it can be said that working with a social ESG approach is to address issues of diversity, human rights, volunteering, compliance with sustainable development goals, mental health, assistance, integration, motivation, improvements in the work environment and external actions that make a difference in the world. All this aiming at four central pillars:

Customers: in a world in constant transformation and evolution, understanding and satisfying consumer needs has become essential. Therefore, placing the customer as a priority, establishing a direct connection and measuring their level of satisfaction are just as important as investing in innovation and security.

Collaborators: the success of a company essentially depends on the commitment and motivation of its employees. It is increasingly important to promote diversity actions and social and environmental impacts, as these are values that today attract great talent.

Community: more than creating jobs and offering products and services, companies currently consider it essential to contribute directly to the surrounding communities, promoting more comfort, safety, income, education and health.

Provider: more than just a business relationship, suppliers and customers have a partnership role to fulfill, so that both guarantee the sustainability of an entire chain.

What is the importance of meeting the ESG social?

Social ESG is nothing more than an important tool that shows how a company is, in fact, acting to promote values and contribute to the development of a particular cause or community, as well as its own human capital. A company's social behavior is being increasingly put to the test and the social nature is more than a differentiator; is a requirement for anyone who wants to succeed.

How does the social apply to architecture?

Whether internally in the office or externally to society, the application of social ESG in architecture ranges from understanding responsibility and promoting values with the team and the community in which it operates to the insertion of the concept within architectural ideas. This means designing projects aimed at diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Created with the aim of creating objects and places that promote well-being and contact with nature, Plantar Ideias implements all the concepts of introduction to ESG in its projects, prioritizing its attention to environmental, social and corporate governance contexts. Find out about our history and the work we've been doing since 2016 by browsing the site.

ESG social