News 30 Aug, 2023 Casualty Response - Waypoints Issue 04 An ESG- integrated casualty response approach for the 2020s: Does maritime casualty management influence the ESG performance of shipowners and their insurers and should broader ESG considerations have anything to do with managing maritime casualties? Download PDF Nicky Cariglia Environmental Sustainability Consultant, Marittima Ltd. There are long-established frameworks for responding to maritime casualties and remediating or mitigating their negative impacts. From an international liability regime, well-funded financial mechanisms, through to the technical expertise available all underpin the aims of saving lives, environmental protection and safeguarding affected communities.  Meanwhile, the scope and importance of the sustainability and ESG agenda have grown exponentially in recent years. Various international commitments have cemented the importance to these being considered in tandem with financial performance when it comes to corporate governance. Legislation regulating the identification, disclosure and performance of an organisation on material ESG topics will continue to evolve over the next few years. Targets and performance indicators will expand considerably, beyond solely considering greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonisation. Established Mechanisms  Already key objectives when responding to casualties, environmental protection and safeguarding the livelihoods and wellbeing of local communities are also key topics that fall under the emerging ESG umbrella. Given the unplanned nature of maritime emergencies, it will be important that longstanding frameworks, processes and financial arrangements are recognised by ESG standard setters and regulators as such. If a shipping company or P&I Club are involved in an incident, and respond in a manner the industry considers best-practice, this should be counted as a positive contributor towards an organisation’s ESG performance. Rapid respons