GICS-Empowering People to Act
At the Global Innovation Coop Summit, this workshop examined how cooperatives can turn Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into practical frameworks that guide every level of operation. Moving from theory to impact requires more than compliance — it calls for cooperative accountability, transparency, and shared measurement.  Participants discussed how ESG principles can strengthen member trust, attract sustainable investment, and demonstrate the unique value of cooperative models in addressing global challenges.  The question for all of us now is: how can cooperatives embed ESG principles to create measurable, mission-driven impact?

How can cooperatives apply ESG principles to strengthen accountability, governance, and long-term sustainability in their organizations and communities?

Some things to consider in the discussion:
Challenge:  What barriers — financial, operational, or cultural — prevent cooperatives from fully integrating ESG principles into daily practice?
Opportunities:  What simple, cooperative tools or systems could help members track, evaluate, and communicate their ESG impact more effectively?
Intercooperation and Innovation:  How can cooperatives collaborate across sectors to share ESG frameworks, reporting standards, or capacity-building initiatives that align with cooperative values?