Simon Mak’s ESG Book Series

Simon Mak has published 10 books across two comprehensive series focusing on ESG reporting and sustainability accounting. Written for professionals seeking actionable insights.

Author: Simon Mak
Credentials: CFA Charter Holder, CMA, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership graduate
Approach: “No greenwashing, no jargon - just ESG you’ll actually read”

ESG Made Simple Series

Target Audience: Professionals new to ESG or seeking practical implementation guidance
Approach: Accessible, jargon-free, practical
Coverage: Major ESG reporting frameworks

1. ESG Reporting Made Simple: A Practical Guide to IFRS S1, S2, and SASB Standards

Navigate the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and SASB Standards with clarity. This comprehensive guide breaks down complex reporting requirements into actionable steps.

Key Topics:

  • IFRS S1 (General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information)
  • IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures)
  • SASB Standards by industry
  • Practical implementation guidance
  • Real-world examples

Who Should Read: Sustainability managers, financial analysts, corporate reporting teams, auditors

Download PDF (5.1 MB) View on Amazon →

2. ESG & GRI Reporting Made Simple: Case-Based Playbook for Real-World Impact

Master the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards for sustainability reporting with real-world case studies. Learn how leading companies implement GRI reporting.

Key Topics:

  • GRI Universal Standards (GRI 1, 2, 3)
  • GRI Topic Standards (200, 300, 400 series)
  • Materiality assessment
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Case studies from multiple industries

Who Should Read: Sustainability report writers, CSR managers, ESG consultants

Download PDF (823 KB) View on Amazon →

3. Carbon Credits Made Simple: The Essential Guide to the Voluntary Carbon Market

Understanding carbon credits, offsets, and the voluntary carbon market ecosystem. Navigate the complex world of carbon trading with confidence.

Key Topics:

  • Carbon credit fundamentals
  • Voluntary vs. compliance markets
  • Project types (renewable energy, forestry, methane capture)
  • Verification standards (Verra, Gold Standard, ACR)
  • Pricing and trading mechanics
  • Avoiding greenwashing

Who Should Read: Carbon market participants, sustainability professionals, corporate buyers, project developers

Download PDF (3.6 MB) View on Amazon →

A comprehensive guide to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. Reporting goes beyond carbon footprint to encompass biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Key Topics:

  • TNFD framework overview
  • Nature-related risks and opportunities
  • LEAP approach (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare)
  • Biodiversity metrics
  • Integration with TCFD and IFRS S2
  • Sector-specific guidance

Who Should Read: Sustainability managers, risk managers, financial analysts, biodiversity professionals

Download PDF (5.3 MB) View on Amazon →

ESG in Practice Series

Target Audience: Sustainability professionals, analysts, technical practitioners
Approach: Mathematical, rigorous, technical
Coverage: Quantitative methods for measuring environmental and social impacts

1. Carbon Accounting in Practice: A Mathematics Guide for Sustainability Professionals

Technical guidance on measuring, reporting, and managing carbon emissions with mathematical rigor. From Scope 1/2/3 calculations to advanced carbon modeling.

Key Topics:

  • GHG Protocol methodologies
  • Emission factor databases
  • Scope 3 value chain emissions
  • Carbon footprint calculations
  • Uncertainty analysis
  • Mathematical formulations

Who Should Read: Carbon accountants, sustainability analysts, environmental engineers, auditors

Download PDF (640 KB) View on Amazon →

2. Climate Risk Quantification in Practice: A Mathematical Guide for Sustainability Professionals

How does climate change really affect financial value, risk, and decision-making? This book delivers the first truly practical, mathematically rigorous guide to quantifying climate risk in financial terms.

Key Topics:

  • Physical risk modeling
  • Transition risk assessment
  • Climate Value-at-Risk (VaR)
  • Scenario analysis (NGFS, IEA)
  • Discounted cash flow adjustments
  • Portfolio climate risk metrics

Who Should Read: Risk managers, financial analysts, climate scientists, portfolio managers

Download PDF (839 KB) View on Amazon →

3. Social Impact Accounting in Practice: A Mathematics Guide for Sustainability Professionals

Rigorous mathematical frameworks, case studies, and practical tools for measuring social impact, SROI (Social Return on Investment), and human and social capital.

Key Topics:

  • SROI methodology
  • Social impact valuation
  • Human capital measurement
  • Social capital metrics
  • Stakeholder value analysis
  • Impact monetization

Who Should Read: Social impact analysts, impact investors, CSR managers, development professionals

Download PDF (935 KB) View on Amazon →

4. Biodiversity and Ecology Service Accounting: A Mathematics Guide for Sustainability Professionals

Demystifying biodiversity metrics, ecosystem service valuation, and nature-related financial measures for professionals and decision-makers.

Key Topics:

  • Biodiversity metrics (MSA, PDF, BII)
  • Ecosystem service valuation
  • Natural capital accounting
  • Species richness and abundance
  • Habitat quality assessment
  • TNFD metrics implementation

Who Should Read: Biodiversity professionals, environmental economists, conservation scientists, TNFD practitioners

Download PDF (1.4 MB) View on Amazon →

5. Plastic Accounting in Practice: A Mathematics Guide for Sustainability Professionals

Practical and rigorous guidance on plastic accountability, measurement, and reporting for sustainability professionals. Address the global plastic crisis with data-driven approaches.

Key Topics:

  • Plastic footprint calculation
  • Material flow analysis
  • Circular economy metrics
  • Plastic pollution modeling
  • Extended producer responsibility (EPR)
  • Plastic credit markets

Who Should Read: Circular economy professionals, packaging engineers, waste management specialists, sustainability analysts

Download PDF (513 KB) View on Amazon →

6. Water Accounting in Practice: A Mathematics Guide for Sustainability Professionals

From the water balance and Budyko framework to the Penman-Monteith equation, water modeling, and advanced water accounting methods.

Key Topics:

  • Water footprint assessment (WFA)
  • Water balance equations
  • Evapotranspiration modeling
  • Water stress indices
  • Virtual water trade
  • Corporate water accounting

Who Should Read: Water resource managers, hydrologists, sustainability analysts, agricultural professionals

Download PDF (2.8 MB) View on Amazon →

Book Comparison Matrix

Series Target Audience Approach Math Level Use Case
ESG Made Simple Beginners to Intermediate Practical, accessible Low Understanding frameworks, getting started
ESG in Practice Advanced professionals Technical, rigorous High Quantitative analysis, detailed calculations

How to Use These Books

For Beginners

Start with the ESG Made Simple Series to understand the frameworks and reporting requirements. These books provide the conceptual foundation.

For Practitioners

Use the ESG in Practice Series for detailed calculations and technical implementation. These books provide the mathematical tools.

For Comprehensive Learning

Read both series together - start with “Made Simple” for concepts, then move to “in Practice” for technical depth.

About the Author

Simon Mak is an entrepreneur, author, and sustainability advocate connecting finance and sustainability. He holds the CFA Charter, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and is a graduate of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Simon is an active participant in international sustainability initiatives, including COP28/29 and UN ESCAP forums. He is a sought-after speaker on ESG, climate finance, and sustainable business practices at conferences worldwide.

Contact: mary.chan@ascent-partners.com
Website: simonmak.com
Organization: Ascent Partners Foundation (Hong Kong-based charity)

Purchase Information

All books are available on Amazon in multiple formats:

  • Paperback: Physical copies for your library
  • Kindle: Digital versions for mobile reading
  • Kindle Unlimited: Free for KU subscribers

View All Books on Amazon →

Bulk Orders & Corporate Training

For bulk orders, corporate training, or speaking engagements, please contact:

Mary Chan
Email: mary.chan@ascent-partners.com

Disclaimer: Book descriptions and links are provided for informational purposes. Prices and availability subject to change. Please check Amazon for current information.

Copyright: All books © Simon Mak. All rights reserved.

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