Sustainability, ESG, and ethics are the new language of business.
ESG refers to the combined environmental, social, and governance performance of well-managed and ethical businesses.
This new breed of institution benefits society and protects the environment. It also creates business value — such as through improved reputation, market share, license to operate, customer loyalty, staff motivation, efficiency, and product innovation.
Investors increasingly seek out these businesses to achieve long-term sustainable returns and positive impact
First Principles works with investors, businesses, and other stakeholders to help build a resilient and regenerative future.
Services
Advisory
Providing advice, guidance, and independent opinion on projects that advance sustainable finance, corporate responsibility, and business ethics.
Analysis
Exploring the latest trends in sustainable finance and innovative new ideas on the horizon.
Designing systems
Supporting investors and companies to develop practical policies and procedures to manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in line with international best practice.
Building know-how
Delivering in-house training and workshops for executives and teams on latest sustainable finance and ESG trends and practices.
Expertise
Louise Gardiner
Founder, First Principles.
Louise has over 22 years of experience working on global initiatives that have changed how the private sector, investors, and financial institutions think about value creation through improved environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
From 2000 to 2004, Louise edited the CSR Magazine, published by the European business network CSR Europe. Since 2005 she has worked for IFC, part of the World Bank Group, on projects across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America to promote sustainable business practices and disclosure, and sustainable finance, in emerging markets. She currently supports the secretariat for the IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN).
In 2010, Louise founded First Principles Sustainability Services to provide research and advice to South African and global clients on new developments in private sector sustainability, sustainable finance, and impact investing. First Principles went on to incubate the ESG Tracker rating tool to accelerate the adoption of ESG and impact management in private equity; and in 2020, Louise joined forces with co-founders to establish Vukani Impact Collective.
Louise holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Kent in Canterbury. She is an accredited mediator and stakeholder engagement practitioner, and was a founding board member and chair of the Southern African Affiliate of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2 SA).