Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). It is a framework used by investors and companies to evaluate how a business operates within broader societal and environmental contexts and how these practices impact its performance and risk profile. Here's a breakdown of the three components:

Bill has been a proactive advocate for conservation and sustainability initiatives from the outset. Appointed by Senator Jerry Hill, he spearheaded an energy and water strategy for San Mateo County, home to 800,000 residents. Additionally, he established a Green Task Force aimed at cultivating renewable and sustainable practices and translating them into actionable policies and legislation.

His involvement extended to state-level to spark initiatives, including contributions to legislation concerning net metering and the nascent stages of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs such as CleanPowerSF throughout California. Collaborating closely with leading energy device and solutions organizations, Bill worked diligently to advance efforts in reducing energy and water consumption for future generations.

Environmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. This includes how it manages risks and opportunities related to climate change, resource depletion, waste management, and pollution. Companies are evaluated on their energy use, pollution, waste management, and conservation efforts.

Social criteria examine how a company manages relationships with its employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. This encompasses labor practices, product liability, data protection and privacy, and diversity and inclusion. It looks at the company's business relationships, social impact, and contribution to society.

Governance involves the internal practices and policies a company follows to govern itself, make effective decisions, comply with the law, and meet the needs of external stakeholders. This includes board diversity, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.

ESG criteria are increasingly important to investors who seek not only financial returns but also want to contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes through their investments. Companies with strong ESG practices are often viewed as better long-term investments because they are thought to be more sustainable and less risky, especially as the global economy increasingly confronts challenges related to climate change, social justice, and corporate ethics.