<p>Since the publication of the influential report <i>The Limits to Growth</i>, the scientific community has generated essential insights and developed technical solutions to tackle the climate crisis, as well as critically examined the prevailing conventions that impede climate goals. One major omission, however, is the need for science to confront and clarify its own impact on climate change. Notably, recent scientific publications hint at poor uptake of sustainability measures in research. Trusted across many layers of society, scientists have a responsibility to lead by example and promote transparency regarding the broader impact of their practices. Drawing on lessons from the financial sector, we explore how the scientific community could adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards to enhance the ways in which responsible research practices are promoted. We propose that ESG criteria be integrated across all levels of research, spanning institutional policies, protocol registrations, grant applications, and scientific outputs. The global scientific community may thus create and implement what we call “Principles for Sustainable Research”. This in turn may increase awareness and further enable science to become more ecologically and ethically sustainable, with the ultimate aim of advancing the wellbeing of the global population.</p>