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Get your CSR initiative off to a good start: participatory audit, prioritized action plan and selection ofoCSR tools for your company in 4 weeks.
97% of customers of Mon Entreprise Durable say they have carried out their CSR projects without slowing down their business operations.
Everything you need to know about corporate sustainability
Committing your company to sustainable development offers numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits. It is therefore essential to know how to implement a CSR strategy and to have a thorough understanding of the issues involved.
What is sustainable development?
First of all, we need to define what sustainable development is, in order to better understand its practical applications. Switzerland refers to the definition of sustainable development as formulated in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission), in its report “Our Common Future”: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Indeed, sustainable development is a long-term approach, taking into account the well-being of future generations in every decision we make.
Sustainable development is thus made up of three pillars, all of equal importance: economic, ecological and social. The interaction of these three concepts is aimed at achieving fairer, more stable societies, in which environmental issues are at the forefront and natural resources are preserved.
Why commit your company to sustainable development?
It is important to note that sustainable development is not limited to the government level. Businesses also have a role to play in implementing such a system. This is referred to as CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Confederation considers CSR to be a contribution by businesses to sustainable development, focusing on the effects of business activities on society and the environment.
CSR can be implemented by all companies, regardless of their size or legal status. This can have several positive impacts on the company in question, including an improved image, a competitive edge, and greater engagement among employees and customers.
By taking a long-term view, the company’s business becomes more sustainable, changes and risks can be better anticipated and savings made.
Finally, with the help of a CSR strategy, the company’s environmental impact is better managed.
ISO 26000: A Standard for Sustainable Business
Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility requires adhering to sustainability standards. More than 90 countries have jointly developed the ISO 26000 standard for sustainable development. Published in 2010, this international standard provides guidelines for a high-quality CSR approach. It covers seven themes:
- organizational governance,
- human rights,
- working relations and conditions,
- the environment,
- fair practices,
- consumer issues,
- communities and local development.
How to become a sustainable company?
To become a company committed to sustainable development and better understand the challenges of CSR, the most effective approach is to seek guidance to assess all relevant issues, develop an action plan, and implement new practices. There are various options available depending on the company’s maturity and organizational structure:
- individual support from a consultant or strategy consultancy specializing in sustainable development.
- support via a digital tool
- hybrid support, which combines a digital platform with human support. This approach combines the best of the first 2 options, to optimize the time invested and the budget.
Don’t hesitate to take a look at the different possibilities before you take the plunge!
Examples of sustainable development actions that can be implemented quickly in the workplace
There are many sustainable actions you can take within your company, based on the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, ecological and social.
Here are some examples of quick actions to get you started on the road to responsible corporate citizenship:
- Ensure that the company’s suppliers are also committed to sustainable development;
- Carry out an energy audit of the company to better manage consumption linked to air conditioning, heating and switching on lights;
- Reduce and recycle waste as much as possible, for example by using cups instead of plastic cups in the coffee machine, and by using crockery instead of plastic cutlery in the cafeteria;
- Print only essential documents to avoid wasting paper;
- Offer an electric shuttle to optimize employee travel and reduce carbon emissions;
- Combating discrimination and pay inequality ;
- Getting involved with local associations to help them with their needs…
To best engage employees in the CSR initiative, a questionnaire on corporate sustainability can be distributed to them so that they can contribute to the CSR action plan by sharing their ideas. Indeed, to facilitate the ecological transition while improving economic performance, it is essential that all members of the company be involved.
Once these first actions are in place, and all employees are involved, you can begin a structured approach, thanks to the various support approaches available.
Your goal is to obtain the EcoEntreprise certification? Put your trust in a company that has been through the same programme. We also support you with the standards B Corpand CSRD and EcoVadis.
