The Impact of ESG Indicators on the Sustainability of Companies

This study examines the relationship between financial performance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators of companies, and examines differences between EU, CIS and other European countries. The main goal of this study is to assess the financial sustainability of a company based on its ESG indicators during economic shocks and analyze the degree of impact. To complete the following study, we used panel regression and several models were constructed. In all of them the dependent variable is one of the selected financial indicator and the explanatory variable is a combination of different ESG indicators (environmental, social and governance respectively). The financial data and ESG data from database in our study were based on financial and ESG statements published by companies. Sample on which the study is based contains companies from Europe region (EU, CIS and other European countries) and covers the time period between 2019 and 2022. We expect to find the confirmation to the fact that ESG Combined Score can positively affect financial performance of companies. We are also looking forward to identify the components of ESG Score that affect financial sustainability in the most significant way. Also in the end of our study we will make a set of ESG initiatives that can positively affect companies and make them more resilient to economic shocks.