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Increasingly, we are seeing leading PE firms consider ESG value drivers early in the deal process (i.e., during pre-acquisition screening and diligence). As part of this analysis, investors are assessing how they can avoid value erosion and drive ESG performance to, firstly, preserve current value and, secondly, create value through strategic initiatives. Our ESG value bridge (figure 1) illustrates some common ESG value levers applied across PE investment considerations.
Figure 1: ESG value bridge
In practice, we have found that when it comes to articulating the financial benefits, ESG creates value in 6 key areas:
In a recent transaction within the retail and consumer industry, we worked with an Australian PE house to consider ESG-led value creation levers in the development of their investment thesis. This involved a deep dive into the supply chain to identify risks and opportunities, linking these to ESG value levers and estimating valuation impact. The business had grown rapidly over the past 3 years to capture both local and international market share, and benefited from the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic. A key opportunity existed to drive revenue growth to conscious customers (particularly in the EU) through the adoption of certified sustainable materials, the verification of ethical manufacturing practices, and the implementation of a repair and re-sell model.
Pre-deal diligence also identified opportunities to optimise distribution hubs, freight routes and transport modes, to not only reduce costs but also cut carbon emissions from freight.
Importantly, given its global distribution network, we found the business to be well positioned to respond to regulatory and legal developments, with robust modern slavery controls and a transition to recyclable packaging already in place. Finally, and as is the case for many Australian retailers tackling the decarbonisation agenda, fleet electrification and energy efficiency measures in warehouses were identified as ways to reduce emissions, with a focus on prudent capex investment and optimisation.
Post-acquisition, the PE firm is working closely with the management team to uplift ESG performance and bring value creation opportunities into fruition. This structured approach to ESG improvement and risk management can also drive value via a lower cost of capital (for example, by linking the business’ emissions reductions targets to a sustainability linked loan at a discounted interest rate). Ultimately, the implementation of a holistic ESG strategy empowered our client to realise value and command a strategic premium down the line. See figure 2.
Figure 2: ESG value bridge - retail and consumer transaction example
We work closely with PE funds on ESG matters across the investment lifecycle. This includes everything from pre-acquisition due diligence (where we provide a detailed upfront assessment of available ESG value creation levers, as well as an assessment of the risks that exist and their mitigation options), right through to realising ESG value upside on exit. So, what are some common themes we see?
PE funds successfully embedding ESG in value creation planning generally:
Embed ESG into your business strategy, including setting a clear roadmap and targets. At a portfolio level, understand specific portfolio ESG risks and opportunities, and engage with portfolio companies’ management teams to integrate ESG into their transformation.
PE funds that lead on ESG tend to share some key traits. To follow their lead, funds should consider: becoming a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment; making a public commitment to ESG-related conventions or frameworks that align with your stated goals (e.g. UN Sustainable Development Goals , Science Based Targets initiative); and publicly disclosing policies related to climate change, modern slavery, reconciliation action, responsible procurement, workforce diversity and more.
Firms need to recruit the necessary talent to deliver sustainable value creation, and operational training for investment teams is a must. The good news is that firms demonstrating a robust ESG agenda are best placed to attract and retain the best talent.
Foster ESG awareness across your entire team, starting with the board. Is ESG genuinely being discussed at board meetings? If not, why not? Is ESG integrated into your investment processes? Where is the business falling short on ESG in terms of policies, processes, and data? And what do you need to do to address these gaps in the first 100, 200, and 500 days?
How do you gauge your ESG maturity compared to your competitors? Aim to measure yourself only on topics that are material. Similarly, invest in those material topics to build capability.
Where data doesn’t exist, start sourcing it yourself and establish a baseline so you’re able to set targets.
Get independent reviews or assessments of the integrity of your data to guarantee your ESG credentials, and to prepare for future disclosure requirements.
These hallmarks were seen first-hand during a recent Australian transaction, where ESG-lead value creation thinking helped the investment team further strengthen their investment hypothesis.
The important thing to take away is that, by acting now, dealmakers can seize the opportunities that ESG presents for creating value.
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