Knowledge Base

These sources include ESG scores and ratings and/or the underlying metrics for companies. Since individual metrics and pillars will be weighted differently depending on the vendor, it is important to review the data documentation to fully understand grade calculations.

For Individual Companies

• LSEG Workspace – see LSEG Workspace access help
  • On a company's profile page, in the top navigation go to ESG.
• Bloomberg – see Bloomberg access help
  1. In the command line enter Ticker Equity FA ESG <GO> (example: IBM <Equity> FA ESG <GO>).
  2. Select the sub-tabs to see additional ESG metrics.
  3. To compare ESG metrics with related companies, enter RV ESG<GO> to access the Relative Valuation function.

For a Large Dataset

Note that many ESG datasets do not have large backfiles and/or have increased the number of variables they cover only in the last few years. Let us know if you want more personalized recommendations.

• Refinitiv ESG Data in LSEG Workspace - This is our top recommendation.
  • Contains scores and underlying data points (over 600 data points).
    • The relationship between Refinitiv ESG data points and ESG Scores is pyramidal in structure: the observation of individual data points comprise discrete E, S, and G scores, which are then rolled up into an overall ESG Score. The ESG Combined Score comprises a company's overall ESG Score coupled with the company's ESG Controversies Score.
  • Covers public companies from 2002+ worldwice (coverage increases over time).
  • Refinitiv ESG Scores are an enhancement and replacement of legacy ASSET4 ratings. In the past, academic access to this data was available through Datastream. Now Refinitiv ESG Scores are available in Datastream, the LSEG Workspace platform, and the Refinitiv Excel add-in.
  • Data is collected from public sources only (e.g. company released reports, SEC filings, press releases, etc.).
• S&P ESG Scores - see WRDS access help
  • Contains scores (an overall score, criteria scores, and dimension scores).
  • Covers public and private companies (including some subsidiaries) from 2013+ worldwide.
  • S&P Global ESG Scores are based on survey data self-reported by companies in the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) from RobecoSAM's ESG Ratings Business. S&P acquired the ESG Ratings Business in 2019.
  • Granular data points are weighted and rolled up into increasingly broader scope scores: the observation of individual data points comprise discrete E, S, and G scores, which are then rolled up into an overall ESG Score.
• Bloomberg – see Bloomberg access help
  • Contains both proprietary ESG data and ESG metrics from third-party vendors such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and ISS. Historical ESG data from third-party vendors is not always available (e.g. historical MSCI scores are not available).
  • Bloomberg Terminals have monthly download limits, which can make using them for projects challenging.
  • In 2022 Bloomberg revised its ESG methodology and launched many more proprietary ESG metrics and scores. To learn more, on the Terminal enter BESG <GO>.
  • The Bloomberg ESG Materiality Frameworks tool overviews material ESG issues and data points for public companies and coverage begins in 2015. This tracker helps identify the most relevant ESG issues and are leveraged in the Bloomberg ESG Score.