Constant van Aerschot, the Asia Pacific director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has moved to a consultancy that trains company board directors in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Earth on Board was founded in 2016 by former World Energy Council executive Philippe Joubert, and aims to help corporate boards integrate sustainability into their corporate strategy, and develop “earth competent” boards that align profitability with sustainability.
The Paris-headquartered firm has worked with companies in the financial services, energy, infrastructure and food sectors. It does not reveal the clients it works for, although the firm was recently shortlisted by Singapore Exchange (SGX) as a training provider for directors in Singapore.
Earth on Board is supported by WBCSD, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, non-profit environmental law organisation ClientEarth, and We Mean Business, a corporate climate action non-profit.
Van Aerschot joins to aid the expansion of the Asian chapter of Earth on Board, based in Singapore.
“It is becoming clear that directors must be equipped with the skills to understand how sustainability impacts their company’s strategy and long-term performance, and their own fiduciary duties. It is my privilege to support Earth on Board in the region in this critical mission,” said Van Aerschot told Eco-Business.
The Swiss executive joins after almost three and a half years running the APAC chapter of WBCSD, which represents more than 200 multinationals working towards sustainability.
During his time with WBCSD, Van Aerschot helped to double the number of member companies in Asia Pacific.
He also helped set up the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), a coalition working to drive sustainability through the natural rubber supply chain, and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), an industry-backed group working on waste solutions in developing countries.
Van Aerschot launched the Singapore chapter of the Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) in 2013, which later merged with WBCSD.
Before moving to Asia, Van Aerschot was vice president of sustainable development and public affairs for cement giant La Farge, based in Paris. An engineer by training, he also worked for design firm Arup, setting up its German office, and was a corporate strategy analyst for software firm Alcatel-Lucent.
