ESG Unlocked

Money flows like never before—yet few stop to ask where it comes from. Every dollar is rooted in something deeper: nature, people, and trust. These are the real sources of prosperity. And they're under threat.

At a time when Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) thinking is under political fire, ESG Unlocked delivers a powerful and practical guide to what ESG really is—and why it matters more than ever.

Dowse and Woods make the compelling case that ESG isn't a fad or a "woke" distraction—it's modern capitalism done wisely. With engaging storytelling, sharp insights, and a holistic framing, they connect the dots between financial returns, intangible assets, and our own decisions.

Whether you're an executive, an investor, or simply someone who wants their choices to reflect their values, this book shows how to make ESG work for you.

Understand ESG.Use it. And unlock a healthier, wealthier future—for your business, your portfolio, your communities, and your planet.

Josh Dowse is Head of ESG and Sustainability at the communications firm SenateSHJ. Over the past 30 years, Josh has been one of Australia’s most trusted thought partners and communicators on ESG, sustainability, energy, and climate change. He has prepared or reviewed dozens of ESG or sustainability strategies, facilitated and/or ghosted significant public documents such as AEMO’s Integrated Systems Plan (Australia’s national energy plan) and CSIRO’s Australian National Outlook.
After a brief stint as a lawyer and authoring Australian Corporate Practice, he has focussed on helping specialists develop their ideas, as a publisher with Allen & Unwin, an editor of the McKinsey Quarterly and a communication consultant with McKinsey & Company. In doing so, sustainability and ESG have become his focus and passion. His other formal roles are as a thought partner with Clarity Thought Partners, and co-director of St Andrew’s College (Sydney University) course on Complex Problem Solving.
Josh has an Honours degree in History, an LLB and a Master’s in environmental law and Economics, and learned as much as a father of four, a director of a disability NGO and a long-time coach and president of a junior rugby club.

Ian Woods is Principal of Ian Woods Advisors, advising asset owners, asset managers and investment industry associations on responsible investment strategies. He is a global leader in responsible investment strategies, having been Head of Responsible Investment at AMP Capital for 19 years, and co-founder of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and its Deputy Chair for 13 years. He is currently a member of Chronos Sustainability’s expert network and serves on the Technical Advisory Group for the ASFI Taxonomy Project and was a member of the Coordinating Working Group for the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI).
Before entering the finance sector, Ian was a manager at a leading environmental consulting firm, assisting companies with the assessment and management of environmental issues, and spent three years at an environmental and safety risk consulting firm in London.
He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and a Masters of Environmental Law, an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

This book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the evolution, impact, and future of ESG. It offers a comprehensive, clear, and balanced overview from multiple perspectives—investors, businesses, policymakers, and citizens—making it a valuable resource for both seasoned professionals and those new to the field. At a time when ESG is at a crossroads and under more scrutiny than ever, Dowse and Woods provide a rigorous, insightful, and pragmatic guide to why ESG matters, how it has shaped markets and investment decisions, and where it goes from here. A timely and necessary contribution to the ESG conversation—I encourage everyone to read it.
Fiona Reynolds, Chair of UN Global Compact Network Australia

Many have struggled to articulate why ESG matters to our corporate and investment decisions. That’s part of the reason some seek to dismiss it. Dowse and Woods have made sure you won't. It is a coherent, practical and enlightening coverage of the topic, with much for specialists and newcomers alike.
Martijn Wilder AM, Founder & CEO, Pollination

Working out how capitalism can operate sustainably on this planet is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We cannot just keep pushing the answers down the road for future generations. Dowse and Woods have offered an incisive account of why that';s important, and what to do about it.
Keith Tuffley AM, Ocean and Polar Explorer and past Chairman of Energy Transition & Sustainability at Citi

The idea of ESG is thriving. But so is the lip-service paid to it and so are the ranks of its soothsaying protagonists. There is also, inevitably, political and commercial pushback to ESG's noble aims. The antidote offered by Dowse and Woods is therefore especially welcome. Not only for their insightful analyses of the inherent value of genuinely committing to ESG principles but also for their practical suggestions of how to do so in ways that really can benefit people, planet, and profit. It really is a mighty fine read.
Professor David Kinley, Chair of Human Rights Law, The University of Sydney and Academic Expert Member, Doughty Street Chambers, London

The [ESG of Capital] is an insightful guide to ESG and its importance in shaping the future of business, investments, and personal decision-making. Dowse and Woods have grounded the ESG story with a fascinating dive into the historical business context, drawing parallels to the evolution of financial reporting. Their conversational style, and use of high-profile case studies, creates an engaging and practical resource for anyone looking to harness ESG principles to create value and drive positive impact.
Merren McArthur, retired airline CEO (Tiger Air, Lynx Air and Virgin Regional Airlines)