Roles in the Assessment Process (Practitioners, SMEs, Moderators)

Effective ESG assessments are rarely completed by one person alone. They draw on insight and evidence from across your organisation — combining operational knowledge, strategic oversight, and subject expertise.

This page outlines the key roles typically involved in completing a successful ESG Pillar assessment.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Assessment Lead / Coordinator

Usually the person driving the assessment process internally.

• Organises the workflow and timelines

• Coordinates input from multiple teams

• Submits the final responses

• Acts as the main point of contact for feedback or moderation

Ideal background: ESG manager, compliance officer, sustainability lead, or generalist with strong internal access.

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2. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Provide input on specific questions where detailed knowledge is needed.

• Answer or support questions in their area (e.g. H&S, HR, Finance, Operations)

• Help interpret outcome statements and assess maturity

• Provide supporting evidence or documentation

Common SMEs include:

• Facilities / Operations – for emissions, energy, waste

• HR – for wellbeing, ethics, inclusion

• Finance – for data disclosures and reporting

• Governance / Legal – for policies, risk, and oversight

• Senior leadership – for strategic direction and culture

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3. Practitioners (Optional)

Trained ESG practitioners or consultants can help guide you through the process.

• Support scoping, evidence gathering, and scoring

• Offer advice on how to interpret questions

• Help prepare for formal moderation or certification

• May be internal (if trained) or external (third-party support)

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4. Moderators / Reviewers

If your organisation is seeking formal certification or external verification:

• A moderator will review your submission

• They assess scoring consistency, evidence quality, and alignment with maturity levels

• May request clarification or additional evidence before confirming your level

Note: Not all assessments require moderation — it applies when organisations request certification or audit-ready results.

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Working as a Team

• 🧩 Collaborate across departments: Most ESG topics are cross-functional — bring people together early

• 🗂 Use shared folders or prep sessions: Document collaboration makes the process smoother

• ✅ Assign questions by theme: Delegate to the most relevant person or team

• 🔍 Base responses on reality: Ensure answers reflect actual practice, not just written policies

• 📋 Use the Recommendations Report: Once complete, this becomes a shared improvement plan