CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG FACTORS IN GREECE AND CYPRUS: COMPLIANCE, LAWS AND BUSINESS PRACTICES, TOWARDS A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Abstract

E, S, and G: Environmental, Social, and Governance is a framework regarding the sustainability of legal entities. The EU through Regulations and Directives by setting a minimum mandatory threshold for environmental protection, climate change, green deal, social responsibility, and corporate governance aims to unify the rules in member states towards a holistic approach relating to economic growth and social fairness. In that regard, Greece and Cyprus hold obligations to adopt the EU legislation and policies. This paper focuses on two objectives, i.e., the analysis of compliance in terms of Greek and Cypriot laws and the broader response of business practices to embrace the EU and national laws and policies for ESG investments, operations, and growth. The paper uses two main methods, i.e., a review the of literature and qualitative methods of legal and comparative analysis under a holistic approach. As a conclusion of the findings of this paper, it is stated that the ESG factors regarding corporate sustainability are now a general framework of guiding principles in the EU and both in Greece and Cyprus both at legislative and practical levels under a broader, holistic approach. This approach further guides the interconnection of environmental protection, climate change issues, social responsibility, and corporate governance as key factors for sustainability, growth, and wealth for the future in the EU, in Greece and Cyprus.