ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria. It's a set of standards for a company's operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. Environmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature, including its carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and waste management. Social criteria examine how a company manages relationships with its employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. Governance deals with a company's leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights. ESG investing seeks to align financial goals with the broader goal of creating positive societal impact.