Planning ESG Futures

This chapter explores the future of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing through the lens of scenario planning, emphasising the interplay between global sustainability trends and regionally rooted ethical systems. As ESG matures amidst rising geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and cultural differentiation, its trajectory is unlikely to be linear or uniform. Through comparative scenario narratives that range from technocratic harmonisation to localised value pluralism, this chapter examines how regulatory convergence, investor psychology, and institutional adaptation may reshape sustainable finance. Focusing on Southeast Asia and the Global South, it argues that resilient ESG futures must integrate behavioural insight, contextual specificity, and participatory governance. This chapter concludes by proposing a strategic foresight toolkit for policymakers and asset managers seeking to future-proof ESG ecosystems.