Many organizations are becoming deeply familiar with environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects, responding to a variety of factors, from government initiatives aimed at net zero emissions to public sentiment in favor of ESG practices. While these results show that organizations are pursuing ESG goals, I also think there is room for improvement. As companies face an uncertain global economy, skills shortages and other challenges, it's important that ESG is not just a buzzword or a checkbox for compliance. ESG is an essential part of a viable business strategy because the efforts and investments of companies that make ESG principles are likely to deliver value. With that in mind, here are five high-level ways your ESG efforts can pay off. (Hooman Shahidi, More at www.forbes.com)