Development of the ESG Pillar Scores and Data Availability: Empirical Evidence from the Insurance Industry

The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate the development of the ESG score and, in particular, the respective pillar scores, as well as the data availability based on region, firm size, and business sector within the insurance industry. We also analyze the interrelationships of the ESG score and data availability, focusing on descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. For this purpose, we use data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), over a period of 13 years (2010–2022). Our results show that region, firm size, and the different core businesses of insurers lead to different developments in ESG scores and data availability. Differences can also be found in the general level of the scores. However, there is no clear pattern in the evolution of ESG scores and data availability. Furthermore, we find significant and strong interrelationships within the ESG score and its data availability. In summary, the findings of this study provide a foundation for improving the interpretation and application of ESG metrics.