(8)Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, including the adverse impact on the climate stemming from energy use and carbon footprint associated with the underlying information technology infrastructures and consensus mechanisms algorithms, used for the validation of transactions in blockchain systems, are relevant for issuers of asset-referenced or e-money tokens within the scope of this Regulation. ESG factors can affect the risk profile of such issuers, its business model and the acceptance of their tokens. While climate and environmental factors are particularly relevant to the activities and services of such issuers, other types of ESG factors such as tax transparency, human rights, employment conditions and adequate management of risks related to money laundering and other financial crimes are also relevant factors. It is therefore necessary that issuers of asset-referenced tokens or e-money tokens within the scope of this Regulation ensure that their remuneration policies are consistent with ESG risk-related objectives and take into account ESG risks and their possible adverse impacts. In particular, the variable remuneration should be aligned to the ESG risk factors relevant for climate and other environmental impacts caused by the consensus and validation mechanisms used.