# Boards Lack ESG Experience Necessary for Addressing Material Issues

Center for Sustainable Business

September 16, 2021 ![Board Lacking](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/Board%20Lacking.png?itok=tnKY47xk) Of 1188 Fortune 100 board directors, only 29% were found to have relevant ESG credentials, according to ​​CSB Director [Tensie Whelan](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/about-csb/our-team/about-tensie-whelan)'s research, [U.S. Corporate Boards Suffer from Inadequate Expertise in Financially Material ESG Matters](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/research/research-initiatives/fortune-100-board-members-lacking-esg-credentials).

This research was featured in The Hill's article, "[Widespread 'Competence Freenwashing' Threatens to Derail Progress in Sustainable Finance](https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/environment/560255-widespread-competence-greenwashing-threatens-to)," highlighting that in order to effectively integrate sustainbility across functions, businesses need to hire the right talent whose experiences and skillsets align with their companies' material ESG issues.

Excerpt: "There is a lack of ESG credentials on boards, and the SEC and others have pointed to a lack of ESG credentials amongst staff who are theoretically delivering ESG programs."

Read the full article [here](https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/environment/560255-widespread-competence-greenwashing-threatens-to).