With social and environmental issues becoming increasingly present, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an essential strategic lever for companies. But where to start, and how to reconcile sustainable commitments with return on investment (ROI)?
Meet our experts in CSR strategy and transformation consulting, Kim-Yen and Anne-Claude, both independent consultants and members of the FocusTribes community.
Kim-Yen Nguyen is an expert in project management and change management. She specializes in ecological transition, CSR strategy and implementation, encompassing CSRD and sustainable transformation in the broadest sense.
Anne-Claude Tichauer specializes in the implementation of CSR strategies, Responsible Digital and topics related to decarbonization and CSRD.
In the December 10 webinar, they reviewed the fundamentals of initiating a CSR approach and shared feedback on concrete strategies for successful sustainable transformation.
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After a quick reminder of the 7 pillars of ISO 26000 (international standard on corporate social responsibility) and the PDCA (Plan-Do-Chack_Act) methodology, find out more about the following points:
Many companies face major challenges when embarking on a CSR initiative. Lack of resources, difficulties in identifying priorities, operational constraints: the obstacles may seem numerous. And yet, integrating CSR is an asset for strengthening a company's resilience, improving its brand image and meeting the expectations of customers and employees alike.
Pressure from stakeholders and new regulations, such as the duty of care and transparency obligations, are forcing companies to adapt. To meet these demands, a structured CSR approach is becoming essential. Stakeholders - investors, customers, employees - are now requiring companies to adopt greater responsibility, transparency and accountability in terms of environmental and social impact, and this regulatory pressure accentuates the importance of implementing responsible practices.
B Corp certification is becoming increasingly popular with companies wishing to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. Recognized for its rigor, it can enhance a company's credibility while differentiating its services. However, this demanding label can also generate costs and require significant internal adaptations. Anne-Claude will share her experience on the subject, with examples from the agri-food and ISC (IT Services Company) sectors.
At European level, the concept of the mission-driven company is gaining in importance, although the legal frameworks vary from country to country. Discussions are also underway at EU level to harmonise these initiatives. There are proposals to create a common framework inspired by existing models, such as the French mission company, the Italian Società Benefit and the German co-determination system. The aim is to involve employees more in governance and to incorporate European sustainability standards.
In addition, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reinforces this framework by providing a basis for assessing and measuring the social and environmental impacts of companies.
Implementing a CSR approach often requires financial resources. Fortunately, a number of solutions are available: grants, soft loans, or even participatory financing for positive-impact projects. We will explore the financing options available, to help each company structure its approach without compromising its finances.
Several platforms offer valuable resources to help companies make the transition to CSR and access finance. Organizations such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Horizon Europe program offer grants, loans and training to integrate sustainable practices.
These tools give businesses access to funding dedicated to environmental and social transition, while providing support to improve their environmental and social impact.
These tools facilitate access to available grants, training courses and practical advice on how to improve internal practices.
