Sustainability LIVE: D&I – Exploring ESG in Entertainment

December 09, 2024

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Liesbeth Oost, Head of ESG at JVH Gaming and Entertainment Group, explore the role of the entertainment industry in driving long-term sustainability

Liesbeth Oost, Head of ESG at JVH Gaming and Entertainment Group joined Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion 2024 for a fireside chat exploring the entertainment industry's role in embedding ESG principles for long-term sustainability.

Leveraging influence to promote ESG

During the session, Liesbeth highlights the unique opportunity the entertainment industry has to influence society.

She explains how embedding ESG principles into content, customer interactions and operational practices allows organisations to address issues such as responsible gaming, inclusivity and data security.

The entertainment and gaming sector, with its vast reach, holds a special responsibility, Liesbeth states.

“The social aspect is central to our industry. Millions engage with our content daily, so we must ensure it’s safe, inclusive, and beneficial to society,” she says.

She emphasises the importance of aligning with evolving EU regulations, such as corporate sustainability reporting standards, which demand transparency and accountability.

To foster this impact, Liesbeth says the industry should use its platforms to champion values like diversity, mental health and responsible consumption.

Simultaneously, companies must focus on reducing their environmental footprint and upholding transparency in governance.

By adopting a comprehensive ESG strategy, Liesbeth argues, entertainment businesses can strengthen their brand reputation while driving sustainability forward.

Liesbeth Oost, Head of ESG at JVH Gaming and Entertainment Group

Integrating ESG into customer experiences

A key focus of Liesbeth’s discussion was responsible gaming.

She outlines how tools like spending caps, time reminders and personalised education support players in maintaining a healthy gaming balance.

“It’s about guiding players, fostering informed decisions and creating a sustainable relationship with them,” she explains.

Liesbeth also points to collaboration with academic institutions as a way to enhance understanding of gaming behaviour.

Such partnerships help develop tools that strengthen consumer trust while promoting responsible gaming.

She acknowledges the fine balance between encouraging player engagement and maintaining safety.

“Sustainability means building long-term trust,” Liesbeth notes, “and this requires us to prioritise positive experiences over short-term gains.”

When asked about potential audience backlash to interventions, Liesbeth addresses the importance of moderation.

By promoting sustainability as an extension of regulatory compliance, companies can ensure their actions are seen as supportive rather than restrictive.

“Our efforts to create safer gaming environments have been well received because players appreciate a company that genuinely cares about them as individuals,” she says.

Liesbeth Oost, Head of ESG at JVH Gaming and Entertainment Group

Collaborating for industry-wide transformation

The conversation also touches on how collective action can elevate ESG across the gaming and entertainment industry.

Liesbeth advocates for consistent standards, particularly for smaller organisations and startups, to align with sustainability goals.

“It’s vital to establish clear benchmarks, especially when regulatory requirements evolve. Being proactive allows us to shape the framework rather than react to it,” she argues.

Liesbeth also discusses the potential of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning and blockchain in advancing ESG goals.

AI, for example, could analyse player data to implement non-intrusive interventions, while blockchain could enhance transparency in data security.

These innovations, Liesbeth says, can be instrumental in ensuring ethical, inclusive, and responsible gaming practices.

Looking to the future, she predicts that ESG will become deeply embedded in the industry, with transparency and accountability at its core.

“As the pressure to report grows, companies that prioritise sustainability will lead the way, creating a more responsible and trusted industry,” she concludes.

Liesbeth Oost, Head of ESG at JVH Gaming and Entertainment Group