Abstract:
The integration of the concept of environment, social, and governance (ESG) into trade and investment to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is becoming a new consensus. ESG considerations are becoming crucial in national and regional policies for sustainable development strategies and regulatory frameworks, highlighting the role of governments in shaping the landscape by incentivizing companies to adopt sustainable practices, disclosing ESG information, and integrating social and environmental factors into decisionmaking. This also highlights the role of international investment agreements in coordinating trade, investment, and sustainable development as it forms a legal framework that is conducive for enhancing the transparency and predictability of international investment ecosystem, which reduces uncertainties and prompts long-term and stable investment. While ESG and sustainability change the way businesses, policymakers, and rule-makers make decisions, trade and investment become pivotal conduits for operationalizing SDG-related global priorities. This paper explores the growing relevance of ESG principles in trade and investment as it gains traction not only in the conduct of businesses but also in national policies, corporate governance, and regulatory frameworks. This paper aims to examine the ESG landscape in the Philippines and in the region, understand its potential to enhance trade and investment towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and explore strategies for effective ESG adoption. The results highlight varying response of SDG to trade and investment indicators. With respect to ESG interactions, the results indicate that the influence of trade and investment are improved when integrated with ESG.