As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations become central to corporate decision-making, legal professionals are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Far from being a passing trend, ESG compliance and implementation represent a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, driving changes in governance structures, risk management strategies, and stakeholder engagement.

For general counsel (GCs) and compliance leaders, the challenges are multifaceted. As governments and regulatory bodies introduce new ESG frameworks, companies must not only interpret and comply with evolving laws but also integrate sustainability principles into their operations. Legal teams play a crucial role in advising on regulatory risks, ensuring corporate policies align with international standards, and mitigating potential liabilities. Beyond compliance, they are instrumental in shaping ESG strategy—balancing legal obligations with broader business objectives and ethical considerations.

To explore these challenges and the evolving role of legal professionals in ESG, GC Magazine spoke with Aslihan Evcimen, a seasoned legal and compliance expert. With extensive experience across corporate and private practice settings, Evcimen shares her insights on the regulatory landscape, best practices for ESG integration, and the critical role of legal teams in driving sustainable business transformation.

GC: Can you provide an overview of you and your professional background?

Aslihan Evcimen: I have extensive legal and compliance experience in both corporate and private practice settings. I hold a Law degree from Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey, and a Business Administration and Management degree from UC Berkeley, USA. I am also an attorney at law, registered with the Istanbul Bar in Turkey.

Over the years, I’ve developed deep expertise in legal risk management, compliance, and regulatory frameworks across various industries. As a member of management teams, I lead efforts to ensure organisational adherence to legal standards, mitigate risks, and align legal strategy with business objectives.

I see myself as a trusted business advisor, responsible for managing legal issues, overseeing compliance programs, and providing strategic guidance to senior leadership.

GC: Do you have any quote that represents you that you want to share?

AE: Yes, I do have one: “Sometimes, it is what it is, but how you choose to handle it is everything.” This quote represents my approach to challenges—focusing on what I can control and navigating obstacles with a positive and solution-oriented mindset.

GC: How do you think a Legal Director should integrate ESG considerations into their legal department’s strategy and operations?

AE: In my view, to integrate ESG considerations into the legal department’s strategy and operations, the Legal Director should take a two-fold approach, combining both strategic oversight and hands-on implementation.

First, it’s about aligning ESG with the company’s overall business strategy. As part of the management team, working closely with senior leadership to ensure that ESG goals are incorporated into broader business objectives is essential. This involves acting as a business advisor to provide guidance on how legal frameworks should reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance.

On the operational side, it’s crucial to have clear, actionable ESG policies in place—such as reducing environmental impact, ethical sourcing, and promoting diversity. This can only be done through collaboration with other departments to ensure everyone is on the same page, making ESG an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operations.

Regulatory compliance is another critical area. ESG regulations are rapidly evolving, so staying ahead of changes is key. The company needs to be fully compliant with both local and international ESG reporting requirements. This approach helps mitigate risks tied to non-compliance, which could have serious legal and reputational consequences.

When it comes to risks, part of the role is identifying any ESG-related risks—whether environmental, governance, or social—and integrating these into the broader risk management strategy. This ensures we’re always prepared and can take proactive steps to manage and mitigate those risks.

Additionally, the legal team needs to be well-trained and up-to-date on ESG regulations and best practices. This helps ensure they are equipped to provide sound advice and support on these important matters.

It’s also important to establish clear metrics to measure ESG performance and ensure transparent, reliable reporting. Engaging stakeholders—including investors, customers, and the wider community—on ESG goals and progress is key for building trust.

Finally, fostering a culture of compliance and responsibility around ESG is essential. It’s not just a checkbox but a core value that influences internal operations and how we communicate with stakeholders. ESG should be embedded into long-term business goals, incentivised at all levels, and integrated into both our operations and reputation.

GC: In general, what challenges do you anticipate in aligning a company’s ESG goals with international standards and best practices?

AE: Aligning a company’s ESG goals with international standards and best practices can present a few challenges, but I believe one can always find ways to work through them.

One challenge is staying on top of the ever-changing regulatory landscape. ESG standards vary widely across different regions and evolve constantly, so it’s essential to have a system in place to track updates and ensure compliance. The key here is being proactive and adaptable, relying on strong legal and regulatory networks to stay informed.

Another potential challenge is ensuring the ESG strategy is flexible enough to fit the specific needs of the different markets we operate in. Cultural, economic, regulatory and operational differences mean that one-size-fits-all approaches won’t always work. But with ongoing collaboration with local teams, we can ensure our approach remains aligned with global best practices while being relevant to each market.

Balancing long-term ESG objectives with short-term business needs can also be tricky. At times, business priorities might seem to conflict with sustainability goals. However, clear communication and coordination across departments can ensure we’re integrating ESG into the business strategy without losing sight of immediate business priorities.

In the end, these challenges are just part of the process. With the right mindset, resources, and flexibility, we can tackle them and keep moving forward with our ESG goals.

GC: How can the effectiveness of a company’s ESG initiatives be measured and evaluated from a legal perspective?

AE: From a legal standpoint, measuring the effectiveness of a company’s ESG initiatives really boils down to a few key factors: regulatory compliance, risk management, and transparency in reporting.

First, regulatory compliance is a big one. We’d measure how well the company is following local and international ESG regulations, which can change frequently. Regular audits and reviews of ESG reports are crucial to make sure the company is staying compliant with all applicable laws, including those around environmental impact, governance, and social practices. If we’re on top of these regulations, we’re less likely to face legal risks or penalties.
Next is risk management. We need to evaluate how well the company is identifying and addressing ESG-related risks—whether it’s environmental liabilities, governance issues, or supply chain concerns. It’s about making sure we have strong processes in place to manage these risks, and that they align with legal and industry standards.

Finally, transparency is key. We’ll look at how clearly and accurately the company is disclosing its ESG activities, especially when it comes to reporting to stakeholders like investors, regulators, and the public. A legal team needs to ensure these reports are not only compliant but also trustworthy and thorough, so we maintain credibility and avoid any legal challenges down the line.

In short, from a legal perspective, evaluating ESG initiatives is about ensuring we’re compliant with the law, managing risks effectively, and being transparent with stakeholders. Regular checks and clear reporting are the best way to keep track of our progress.

GC: How do you foresee ESG considerations shaping the broader legal landscape in the coming years, both domestically and internationally?

AE: ESG considerations in Turkey have started to play a more significant role at both the corporate and regulatory levels. Although the regulatory framework is still in its early stages, the trend is certainly gaining momentum. The Turkish government and regulatory bodies are taking important steps to integrate ESG practices into business operations.

For instance, the Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Turkey has introduced mandatory ESG disclosures for publicly traded companies. This requirement not only encourages companies to report on their sustainability practices but also aligns them with international standards, enhancing transparency for investors and stakeholders alike.

In addition, the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS) have been developed to help companies report their ESG activities consistently and transparently. These standards provide a valuable tool for assessing corporate sustainability performance in Turkey, as the regulatory framework continues to evolve.

While formal regulation surrounding ESG is still developing in Turkey, there are already useful resources available for gathering data on corporate sustainability. These include reporting frameworks, sustainability indices, and voluntary standards that businesses can adopt to track and improve their ESG practices. Companies can also look to international ESG frameworks for guidance as they work to align with global best practices.

Looking ahead, I believe ESG considerations will become even more deeply embedded in business strategies and regulations in Turkey. As the legal landscape matures, businesses will need to stay proactive in adopting ESG policies, ensuring compliance, and leveraging ESG as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Overall, I believe that ESG will become deeply embedded in the legal framework, and businesses will need to be agile in adapting to these changes. Legal departments will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and helping companies seize opportunities for innovation while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.

GC: Lastly, anything you want to add about sustainable futures?

AE: From a legal standpoint, ESG is becoming crucial for long-term business success. As global challenges like climate change and social inequality intensify, businesses must adopt sustainable practices not only for compliance but also to stay competitive. Legal professionals play a key role in guiding companies through evolving regulations, ensuring alignment with international standards, and helping mitigate risks. In the future, prioritising ESG will be essential for maintaining investor confidence, protecting reputations, and creating sustainable value.

Thank you so much again for this wonderful interview, I must add these views reflect my personal perspective and are not necessarily aligned with the positions or policies of any specific company.