ESG & Sustainability

We help organisations integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into their strategy and operations to unlock value and strengthen long-term resilience. Our approach goes beyond disclosure to deliver measurable, real-world outcomes that matter to stakeholders and society.

Krutham’s ESG & Sustainability practice supports clients throughout their sustainability journey – from building internal capacity and leadership understanding, to assessing material issues, developing strategy, and supporting disclosure and engagement. We work across sectors but have deep experience in financial institutions, where we advise on sustainable finance, responsible investment and impact measurement.

The Krutham approach

Krutham’s ESG & Sustainability practice combines technical expertise with strategic insight to help organisations navigate evolving sustainability expectations. We bring clarity to complexity, working with clients to align purpose, performance and disclosure.

Capacity development

We design and deliver tailored learning and advisory programmes that help leadership teams and boards understand the business relevance of ESG. Our workshops and briefings build confidence to integrate sustainability into core decision-making, governance and reporting. We also support internal teams and client relationship managers to engage effectively on ESG priorities and performance.

Sustainability strategy development

We guide organisations through structured processes to identify material ESG issues, assess stakeholder expectations and develop strategies that align sustainability with commercial objectives. This includes defining ambition, setting measurable goals and establishing governance and disclosure mechanisms that embed sustainability across the business.

Sustainable finance and responsible investment 

We support financial institutions to align products, portfolios and policies with sustainability objectives. Our work covers sustainable finance frameworks, taxonomies, impact measurement and the integration of ESG considerations into investment and lending decisions. We help clients design practical tools and policies that meet regulatory requirements while unlocking opportunities for green and inclusive growth.

Sustainability research 

Our research helps shape the market’s understanding of ESG performance and trends. The ESG Barometer benchmarks disclosure practices and progress globally and across South Africa’s financial sector, while the Impact Investing Handbook provides practical guidance for mobilising private capital towards social and environmental outcomes. We also produce bespoke studies and insights to support client strategies and stakeholder engagement.

Our work includes

The Impact Investing Handbook – a practical guide to mobilising private capital for social and environmental outcomes

The ESG Barometer – Krutham’s research series benchmarking ESG disclosure and performance in South Africa’s financial sector

Advisory support for banks and other financial institutions on sustainable finance and responsible investment strategy and implementation

The Africa Impact Investment Awards – recognising excellence in impact investing across Africa and celebrate organisations and individuals that deliver measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns.

The Accelerating Impact Initiative – exploring a pathway to foster a supportive regulatory environment for impact investing, focusing on three critical areas: instrument design and disclosure, tax regulation, and the B-BBEE framework.

Comprehensive capabilities

We help clients to: 

Build organisational capacity through tailored sustainability and ESG training for executives and teams

Conduct materiality assessments that identify key risks and opportunities

Develop ESG and sustainability strategies aligned with business priorities and stakeholder expectations

Design and implement sustainability disclosure and reporting frameworks

Support engagement with investors, regulators and communities

Strengthen sustainable finance and responsible investment practices in the financial sector

Thought Leadership

Impact is fast becoming the focus of the future. The challenge is to move beyond intent and rhetoric towards clarity, credible measurement and genuine integration of impact into decision-making. The future of impact measurement and management lies in this integration: when measurement for improved impact becomes how organisations contribute to a more sustainable, equitable world.

Ready to create lasting value?

Our ESG & Sustainability team helps organisations integrate sustainability into their core business and communicate their progress with confidence.