Demand for ESG expertise reveals ‘competence greenwashing’ risk

The recruitment drive for corporate sustainability and ESG experts has highlighted concerns about candidates misrepresenting their competence and experience in the field.

The challenges in identifying minimum standards in environmental, social and governance skills have led to the growing risk of “competence greenwashing”, as Kim Schumacher, associate professor in sustainable finance and ESG at Kyushu University, described it in a 2022 note.