Author: Katja Büttner

Moosbewachsene Baumwurzeln als Symbolbild für die EUDR
13.08.2024

The most important questions and answers on EUDR

The EU regulation for deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR) aims to prevent the ongoing deforestation in order to protect biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, we answer the most important questions about the EUDR.

What is the EUDR?

After the USA, Germany was the world’s largest importer of green coffee in 2019.
In 2018, Germany was also one of the largest importers of raw cocoa and was the European leader in per capita cocoa consumption.
Let’s broaden our view a little.
The EU is the second largest importer of soy, much of which is used as animal feed.
And even if imports are falling in some areas (e.g. tropical timber), one thing is certain: together with other high-income countries such as the USA and China, Europe is one of the world’s largest importers of raw materials and goods that drive global deforestation.
In the last 30 years, we have lost an area of forest worldwide that is larger in total than the European Union.
Forest degradation and deforestation are still progressing at a tremendous rate, which only exacerbates global warming and biodiversity loss.
However, the growth of prosperity and the economy cannot be endlessly expanded at the expense of the environment.
As early as 2013, the EU therefore put an initial stop to deforestation with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR ) (implemented in Germany by the Timber Trade Security Act (Holzhandels-Sicherungsgesetz – HolzSiG)).
However, the standards and enforcement of the EUTR have been repeatedly criticized as weak.
As part of the Green Deal, the EU is now tightening its measures with the EUDR.
The initial introduction, placing/provision on the EU internal market and export of certain goods for which forests have been cleared or forest ecosystems damaged since the beginning of 2021 will soon be prohibited.
Regardless of whether this forest is located in Thuringia, Romania or Brazil.

Checklist for sustainable procurement

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When does the EUDR come into force?

The EUDR is set to affect the first companies from 30.12.2024. The scope of application will then be gradually expanded in a similar way to the CSRD and CSDDD. From 30.12.2024: companies that meet at least two of the following criteria (large and medium-sized enterprises – referred to as “non-SMEs” in the EUDR)

  • > 50 employees
  • > 10 million € turnover
  • > 5 million € Balance sheet total

From 30.06.2025: Companies that meet at least two of the following criteria (small and micro enterprises – referred to as “SMEs” in the EUDR):

  • < 50 employees
  • < 10 million € turnover
  • < 5 million € Balance sheet total
Infografik: Fristen der EUDR

Who is affected by the EUDR?

The EUDR is product-based. Any company that trades in products or raw materials that fall within the scope of the EUDR is affected. A distinction is made between affected companies:

  • Market participants: companies that import/export relevant products into/out of the Union market for the first time
  • Traders: companies that make relevant products available on the Union market

CSRD and supply chain: these disclosures are required

The CSRD obliges companies to provide extensive information on the supply chain. Find out what information is required and what opportunities and risks arise from the EU directive.

To the blog post

Which products are covered by the EUDR?

The new deforestation regulation affects the following raw materials and products manufactured using these raw materials:

  • Wood
  • Palm oil
  • Coffee
  • Cocoa
  • Beef
  • Soy
  • Rubber

The regulation does not provide for any thresholds or volume values. Incidentally, the list of affected raw materials is to be expanded in the future.

Infografik: Diese Waren betrifft die EUDR

What conditions must products fulfill under the EUDR?

Starting with the implementation phase: Import, trade and export of the above-mentioned raw materials and their derived products on the EU internal market are only permitted, if these three conditions are met:

  • Deforestation-free:The products were manufactured without converting natural forest into agricultural land or tree plantations after 31.12.2020. This also applies if deforestation was considered legal in the country of origin!
  • Production in accordance with the relevant rights of the country of origin: This concerns both environmental protection and human rights. Species protection measures, anti-corruption measures, labor rights, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, trade law, etc. have been complied with.
  • Due diligence declaration available:A risk assessment has been carried out for the product, the due diligence obligations have been complied with and there is no or only a negligible risk of deforestation.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, there are some exceptions to the EUDR:

  • 100% recycled goods, i.e. goods made from raw materials/consequential products whose life cycle is already complete anyway
  • Packaging materials used solely to support, protect or carry goods
  • Operating instructions
  • Bamboo products

Products that were produced before the EUDR came into force on 29.06.2023 are also exempt from the EUDR.
However, this does not apply to wood products, as these were previously covered by the EUTR.

What requirements does the EUDR place on my company?

Under the new Deforestation Regulation, companies that are the first to place a raw material or downstream product on the market (“operators”) must carry out a risk assessment, mitigate risks and submit a due diligence declaration via the EU “Traces” system. Traders who trade or process the raw materials or goods downstream on the EU market may then be able to refer to the reference numbers in the due diligence declaration. If the due diligence declaration is missing, the traders must of course provide it themselves. Large traders must also verify the risk assessment on a random basis. The EUDR also introduces a documentation and reporting obligation. As the Deforestation Directive also differentiates between “SMEs” and “non-SMEs” for traders and market participants, there is also a gradation here: implementation is simplified for SMEs (according to the EU Directive) through a narrower list of obligations. Among other things, they have to provide less information about their upstream and downstream supply chain and do not have to submit a public EUDR report. You should therefore check which categories your company falls into and which specific obligations you are subject to.

Risk management in the supply chain

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The requirements of the EUDR – step by step

1. Collect data

Get a precise overview of your goods and raw materials. This includes information such asprecise descriptions, quantities, suppliers and countries of origin. The EUDR also requires the geolocation of all properties on which the raw materials concerned were produced – including the time or period of production. Not only in the future, but also retroactively until 31.12.2020. This is to ensure that no deforestation has actually taken place on the land in question. You should also obtain proof that all rights are protected in the country of origin.

2. Carry out a risk assessment

The aim is to assess the deforestation risk of newly imported products and raw materials. Criteria for risk assessment include the country of origin, the deforestation dynamics in this country, the political/social situation or the complexity of the importing company’s supply chain. The EU provides a benchmarking system that categorizes producer countries according to risk classes. According to the EUDR, only products with no or negligible risk may be traded on the EU internal market.

3. Reduce risks

If you have identified risks in your supply chain, these must now be reduced as far as possible.
Develop a new code of conduct together with your suppliers as well as adaptable strategies and control measures.
Check compliance, e.g. through supplier audits or by requesting additional documentation.

4. Document and report

Furthermore, the EUDR also introduces an internal documentation obligation and a reporting obligation. A due diligence declaration or confirmation of EUDR compliance must be enclosed with each batch of affected goods, which customs will check on a risk basis. With the exception of “SMEs”, all companies are also obliged to publicly report on the risk assessment, due diligence process and measures taken. If your company falls under the EU Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), you can handleEUDR reporting via the CSRD report.

Infografik: So wird die EUDR umgesetzt

Does the EUDR provide for sanctions?

Yes. Planned sanctions include:

  • Skimming off profits unlawfully made as a result of non-compliance with the EUDR
  • Fines in proportion to forest damage and value of goods, but at least 4 % of annual turnover
  • Confiscation of goods or products
  • Temporary import bans
  • Exclusion from public funds and public tenders
  • Naming and shaming

Read more in our article “Sanctions for errors in ESG reporting and implementation”.

What is the best way to implement the EUDR?

With VERSO. Our Supply Chain Hub offers you a seamless end-to-end process for all EUDR requirements – from risk identification to the creation of your CSRD report in the ESG Hub. Find out more:

EUDR compliance with VERSO
* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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07.08.2024

Why the CSRD is more than bureaucracy

Despite the many requirements, working on the CSRD report creates a profound awareness of genuine sustainability. Even if the CSRD is primarily a bureaucratic obligation, it also conceals valuable opportunities for business. Read this article to find out what these are.

The first companies have already published their CSRD report, and many more have yet to do so.
In Germany alone, around 15,000 companies are affected by the new EU directive on sustainability reporting.
And if we look a little further: Across Europe, a total of around 50,000 companies will have to report in accordance with the CSRD in the coming years.

What is the aim of the CSRD?

The CSRD is primarily intended to improve the transparency and comparability of sustainability reports, but also to close gaps in previous reporting obligations.
To understand this, it helps to look back at the past of sustainability reporting.
Sustainability reporting used to be voluntary for companies, was subject to no or only a few rules and often ended up as a kind of marketing brochure.
The first EU directives then put a stop to this.
However, the CSRD now goes one step further.
On the one hand, a whole host of companies are affected by the new reporting obligation, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations.
Across Europe.
And in some cases even beyond the EU.
On the other hand, there are stricter rules: All disclosures must now be verifiable and signed off by auditors. The CSRD also requires significantly more and more in-depth quantitative and qualitative data.
This should make the reports more comparable.
In this way, the EU wants to drive forward the sustainable transformation of the economy.
At the same time, the CSRD is a sensible response to the growing expectations of investors, customers and society as a whole.
Companies are increasingly being held accountable for their sustainability performance – and more and more often, sustainability efforts also form the basis for economic success.
In a nutshell: CSRD makes sustainability transparent and comparable, creating the basis for us to steer our economy towards a more sustainable future in a targeted manner.
“That sounds all well and good,” you may be thinking, “but what’s the point of all the pink clouds if I’m sitting here at my desk and can’t see sustainability for all the data?”

Awareness arises from bureaucracy

PwC recently published a study according to which the majority of the companies surveyed were confident: Yes, we will be ready for our new reporting obligations by the deadline.
The respondents were mainly listed companies with an annual turnover of over one billion.
However, we know from our own experience that small and medium-sized enterprises in particular are groaning in the face of the work involved in preparing and implementing the CSRD.
They tend to have mixed feelings about the CSRD.
“The CSRD is just another useless bureaucracy that will create a burden, stress and work and tie up considerable resources, but ultimately won’t change anything at all.”
This and similar criticism of the new directive is often voiced.
And yes – of course there is a lot of bureaucracy behind the new laws and reporting obligations relating to sustainability.
A lot of data has to be collected, a lot of time is spent on preparation and implementation and a lot of employees are involved.
However, in our work with our customers, we see time and again that anyone who writes sustainability reports and takes an in-depth look at the topic of sustainability also recognizes the potential of CSRD.

Practical guide: Fit for the first CSRD report

Our practical guide with checklist makes it easier for you to get started and prepare for the CSRD and ESRS.

Practical guide to CSRD

More than just a bureaucracy monster: 6 potentials of CSRD for your company

Despite (or perhaps because of!) the many requirements, working on the CSRD report creates a profound awareness of genuine sustainability.
So even if the CSRD is primarily a bureaucratic obligation, it conceals valuable insights and potential.
And let’s take a look at them now.

1. the CSRD promotes a better understanding of one’s own risks and opportunities

Before the actual CSRD report is prepared, the double materiality analysis is carried out.
Here you determine:

  • How do sustainability aspects influence your company?
  • What impact does my company have on the environment and society?

Background: The ESRS, the CSRD framework, lists over 1,000 possible data points for the report.
In the end, however, only selected data points such as ESRS 2 and those whose associated impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) you have determined to be material are required to be reported.
On the one hand, the double materiality analysis gives you clarity as to what belongs in your CSRD report.
On the other hand, it also gives you a very helpful picture of how your company relates to the environment and society. You also get a crystal-clear overview of the risks your company could still face – where undiscovered opportunities for the future of your company lie dormant – and how your company is developing.
Find out more in our article “The double materiality analysis in 7 steps”.

2. the CSRD brings economic benefits, supports innovation …

The majority of decision-makers surveyed in a Noerr study assume that ESG will bring about change in the company.
However, the transformation of business models in turn requires comprehensive adjustments to product development, internal processes and management.
This is where the wealth of data you collect and analyze for CSRD provides useful insights.
Where are resources still being wasted without this being noticed?
Which processes that “we’ve always done this way” could be optimized – and thus promote not only sustainability but also efficiency?
Where do we need to rethink in order for the sustainable transformation to succeed?
These are just a few situations in which ESG data management lays the foundation for a sustainable future.
Ideally, you should not write your CSRD report just for the sake of it, but rather take something away from it for the success of your company.

3. … and strengthens the resilience of your company

Let’s take a concrete example: ESRS E1, the “climate change standard”.
Here you have to report, among other things,

  • how your company has a positive and negative impact on the climate,
  • which climate protection measures you implement,
  • what risks and opportunities arise from climate change,
  • and how to adapt your company to climate change.

The smaller the company, the greater the likelihood that the issue of climate change will not necessarily be a high priority due to time constraints – i.e. it will be postponed for the time being without the CSRD.
However, the first consequences of climate change are already making themselves felt.
And will occur more frequently in the future.
Heavy rain, floods, heatwaves, droughts and fires can paralyze production facilities, lead to staff absences, cause supply chain delays or destroy transport routes.
55% of managers surveyed in Germany in a Capgemini study estimate that climate change will cause the majority of operational disruptions in the coming years.
So it only makes sense to look at what climate change means for your company and how you can counteract it.
And in the course of CSRD, you approach such and similar considerations in a very structured way.

The ESRS standards at a glance

With the CSRD, the EU is also introducing uniform European standards.
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are intended to make sustainability reports more meaningful and comparable.
All information can be found in the whitepaper.

Whitepaper on the ESRS

4. solid sustainability reports create trust

Investors and other stakeholders are now looking very closely at what your company is doing in terms of sustainability.
Sustainability reports are a great way to communicate your status quo and your ambitions in this area.
The best way to do this, however, is with a reporting standard that specifies uniform requirements for all companies concerned in order to ensure maximum comparability.
As we wrote at the beginning, CSRD transforms sustainability reports into transparent and, above all, verifiable documentation of your sustainability journey.
And if we want to look at things from a negative perspective: Intentional and grossly negligent errors in the CSRD report are punishable by, among other things, “naming and shaming” – i.e. public disclosure.
If your company violates its CSRD reporting obligations or attempts to falsify data, this can ruin its reputation and trust.
In this respect too, it is therefore worth seeing the CSRD as an opportunity and implementing it conscientiously.
You can find more information on the possible sanctions in our article “The cost of mistakes in reporting and implementing sustainability.”

5 The CSRD report as a repository for fact-based sustainability communication

Once you have identified stakeholders, determined opportunities and risks, set up strategies and collected ESG data from all possible areas as part of your CSRD obligation, you have one thing in addition to the report: a very useful repository of information.
This, in turn, is ideal for any sustainability communication outside of the report.
After all, this is also becoming increasingly important.
Here we would like to quote a Capgemini survey once again: 77% of consumers surveyed are changing their purchasing behavior in favor of more sustainability.
66% are even specifically looking for sustainable products.
Conversely, 36% of the companies surveyed also stated that Our customers are not interested in sustainability!
This shows a major perception gap that needs to be closed.
The best way to do this is with comparable reports that are checked by a third party (you guessed it: the CSRD…).
This is what 34% of consumers surveyed in a Deloitte study would like.
Fact-based sustainability communication is also beneficial when it comes to recruiting talent and employee satisfaction.
According to the EIB Climate Survey 2023, 56% of people surveyed value an employer that thinks and acts sustainably.
According to a Gartner survey, a strong ESG culture even boosts employee engagement by up to 43%.

6 ESG data facilitates access to credit

It’s not just investors and the public who are demanding ESG measures, but also banks and credit institutions.
Just as a disability insurer is interested in whether you prefer to solve crossword puzzles or skydive in your free time when taking out insurance, financial institutions are now increasingly looking at ESG risks when granting loans.
The list of questions is based on the CSRD, among other things.
This means that if you are already collecting ESG data for the CSRD anyway, you will have it to hand more quickly when applying for financing.
Read more about this in our article “ESG in financing: This data decides on loans”.

Conclusion: CSRD is worthwhile in many respects – and it doesn’t have to be complicated at all

Let’s summarize once again.
CSRD helps you to identify risks and opportunities for your company in a targeted manner.
It provides your company with economic advantages and can even become a driver of innovation.
Furthermore, it strengthens your company’s resilience in the long term if you take a close look at sustainability.
Externally, CSRD promotes the trust of your stakeholders and serves as a basis for general sustainability communication, which in turn appeals to customers and employees.
Last but not least, the data once collected will help in future when granting loans.
It’s exciting to see the wide-ranging effects of this report, which seems so dry at first, isn’t it?
And the best thing is that CSRD doesn’t necessarily have to be a nerve-wracking challenge.
With software and advice at eye level, VERSO will guide you step by step through the CSRD process.
For example, with our new AI-supported module for audit-proof double materiality analysis.
Or with our all-in-one solution for ESG management and ESG reporting – including carbon footprint and supply chain transparency.
Feel free to contact us!

ESG data management with VERSO
* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Foto eines Pflanzensprosses, der sich spiralenförmig entrollt
10.06.2024

How the circular economy works and what it can achieve in Germany

Circular economy and circular economy are terms that you come across more and more often in the context of sustainability. What is behind them, why is the circular economy presented as an important system change and what would it look like in everyday life?

Circular Economy and circular economy are terms that you come across more and more frequently in the context of sustainability.
What is behind them, why are Circular Economy as an important system change and what would that look like in everyday life?
We have for you a brief insight with the most important topics compiled.
One really small. Dbecause the whole is so ramified and comprehensive that we could probably write a whole book about it.n couldnten

Circular economy and circular economy – what are they?

Circular economy and circular economy – what are they?

Let’s start with a classic definition.
Because – spoiler – the terms “Circular economy” and “Circular Economy” are often used synonymously, but are strictly speaking different.

Circular Economy

Circular economy describes an economic model in which resources and products are used for as long as possible within a closed cycle.
Once they have reached the end of their useful life, they are not simply disposed of, but returned to the cycle – i.e. made usable again.

The reference point is ISO 59004:2024.
It describes the basic principles and concepts of the circular economy, but also provides assistance for implementation in the company.
Circular economy is defined here as:

“Economic system that takes a systemic approach to maintaining the cycle of resources by recovering, preserving or enhancing their value while contributing to sustainable development.”

The WWF‘s definition is somewhat clearer and more direct:

“‘Circular Economy‘ [ist] a regenerative system, powered by renewable energy, which replaces the current linear industrial model ‘Take – produce – dispose‘ replaced.
Materials are instead retained in the economy, products are shared, while waste and negative impacts are avoided.
CE creates positive effects and benefits for the environment and society and works within planetary boundaries.
It is made possible by rethinking the current understanding of growth and consumption.”

A helpful overview of all relevant standards relating to the circular economy can be found at the German Institute for Standardization (DIN).

For companies subject to CSRD, ESRS E5 (Resource use and circular economy) is also important in this context.

The ESRS at a glance

How are the ESRS structured, what information is required and how does double materiality work?
Our white paper explains it clearly!

Download ESRS whitepaper

Circular economy

“Circular economy“ means exactly the same thing in theory.
In Germany, however, the circular economy actually only means avoiding waste: “The circular economy within the meaning of [the Circular Economy Act] is the prevention and recycling of waste“.

If we talk about the circular economy here in Germany, the correct term would be “circular economy”.
After all, we like to make life difficult for ourselves with unwieldy terms.

However, when the term “circular economy” is used at EU level (e.g. on the website of the EU Commission or EU Parliament), it always refers to the circular economy in the true sense of the word.

Why do we need a circular economy?

Global consumption of raw materials has tripled since 1970.
We live and do business as if we had unlimited resources at our disposal.
Earth Overshoot Day – the day on which all resources are used up globally for the year – is taking place earlier and earlier.

What is no longer needed is disposed of and replaced by something new.
And then it disappears from the scene for us.
But it ends up somewhere else.
Europe exports around 3,000,000 kilograms of plastic waste to countries in the Global South every day.
This is sometimes referred to as “Garbage colonialism” labeled.
And it doesn’t stop with plastic.
Growing mountains of old clothes, scrap metal, batteries, tires – our waste is piling up in other parts of the world.

On top of this comes the extraction of ever more resources for products that are produced in abundance worldwide.
Far too often, extraction and production go hand in hand with environmental damage and the violation of human rights.

The CSRD and supply chain directives such as the LkSG, CSDDD, CBAM and EUDR are intended to gradually prevent the latter.
However, what we actually need is a new economic system that tackles the underlying problems at the root.

Curtain up for circular economy.

Linear Economy vs. Recycling Economy vs. Circular Economy – from the 3 Rs to the 10 Rs

Our current economic system is a one-way street.
It is therefore also known as “linear economy”.
There are already initial attempts to counteract the high consumption of raw materials and the throwaway mentality.
The focus here is on currently mainly on the so-called 3 Rs:

  • Reduce – Reduce use of resources and materials through greater efficiency in product manufacture/use
  • Reuse – Reuse of products that are still in good condition
  • Recycle – Reuse materials in products of the same or lower quality

This gives rise to the recycling economy.
However, recycling only puts a slight damper on things.
In the end, there is still far too much waste piling up in mountains of garbage.
Only 7.2 percent of our materials are reused after use.

Illustration, die Linear Economy, Recycling Economy und Circular Economy gegenüberstellt. Linear Economy führt direkt zur Mülltonne, bei Recycling Economy ist noch ein kleiner Umweg drin und bei Circular Economy dreht sich der Produktlebenszyklus im Kreis; es landet nichts im Müll

Circular Economy goes a big step further and relies on 10 R:

  • Reduce – Reduce use of resources and materials through greater efficiency in product manufacture/use
  • Reuse – Reuse of products that are still in good condition
  • Recycle – Reuse materials in products of the same or lower quality
  • Refuse – Avoid overconsumption by optimizing or innovating products and eliminating products
  • Rethink – Rethinking product use and manufacturing processes
  • Repair – Repair and maintenance of defective/damaged products
  • Refurbish – Refurbishing discarded products so that they can still be used
  • Remanufacture – Reuse of product parts in new products with the same function
  • Repurpose – Reuse of product parts in new products with a different function
  • Recover – Burning materials with energy recovery
Tabelle mit den 10 R der Circular Economy

The European Commission also lists 7 very similar pillars of the circular economy:

  1. Sustainable supply chains
  2. Ecodesign of products and services
  3. Industrial and territorial ecology, i.e. cooperation and exchange between companies
  4. Functional economic organization; i.e. sharing the benefits of products with others instead of owning your own products
  5. Responsible consumption
  6. Extend product service life
  7. Recycle

So much for the theory.
Now you’re probably asking yourself: what will it all look like in practice?
After all, a lot has to change for the circular economy to become a reality.
We need new processes and more durable, fully recyclable materials.
Not to mention a change in mindset.

Circular economy in practice

Action plan for the circular economy and national circular economy strategy

As part of the Green Deal, the EU 2020 has “Action Plan for the Circular Economy”, which aims to achieve a “carbon-neutral, ecologically sustainable and pollutant-free circular economy” by 2050.
Initial measures such as the extension of ecodesign regulations, the right to repair and the Green Claims Directive are already in force.

Your overview of the new Green Claims Directive

With the Green Claims Directive, the EU now provides a clear framework for sustainability claims.
Get a clear overview of the new Green Claims Directive and its consequences for your company in this factsheet!

Green Claims Directive at a glance

The “National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS)” is based on the EU action plan.
This is intended to create a future framework strategy for measures and targets to implement a circular economy in Germany.
The German government is working closely with industry and society on this.

The overarching objectives of the NKWS are:

  • Climate protection
  • Protection of biodiversity
  • Reducing species extinction and environmental pollution
  • Securing the supply of raw materials
  • Reduce GHG emissions

Model Germany Circular Economy

As the NKWS is still a work in progress, WWF Germany, together with the Öko-Institut, Fraunhofer ISI and the FU Berlin, has developed a roadmap for the circular economy in Germany – the “Model Germany Circular Economy (MDCE)“.
This comprehensive paper shows which measures, political strategies, targets and instruments could be used to achieve a circular economy by 2045.

Here is an overview of the most important findings.

The advantages of a circular economy compared to business as usual

  • The supply situation is easing for 29 out of 36 critical raw materials, and for 9 raw materials more than 50 percent of Germany’s demand could be reduced or covered
  • A CO₂-equivalent savings of up to 26 percent (186 million tons) are possible
  • We need 27 percent less raw materials (179 million tons), total material consumption is down by 26 percent (329 million tons)
  • We need 30 percent less land (8.5 million hectares)
  • The MDCE scenario could also be used to reduce emissions that are difficult to avoid
  • The modeled circular economy would avoid 26 percent (147 billion euros) of the climate damage costs caused by direct emissions – with indirect emissions 10.7 billion euros

What is currently hindering the circular economy

  • Passing on environmental costs (externalization)
  • Lack of infrastructure for circular products and processes
  • Lack of investment (e.g. in research and development) for a circular economy
  • Lack of transparency with regard to the transfer of information and data in the value chains
  • Long-term path dependencies due to investments in linear technologies
  • Lack of common standards for circular products

5 key strategies for implementing a circular economy

  1. Reduce resource flows
  2. Substitute materials
  3. Slowing down resource flows
  4. Intensify product use
  5. Closing resource cycles with high quality

Consumers, companies and politicians share responsibility

The circular economy must be considered from two perspectives:

  1. Behavior-based solutions – sustainable design of consumption
  2. Technology-based solutions – on the technical and production side

The paper emphasizes that the necessary changes in behaviour do not lie solely with consumers.
Both approaches require “political and entrepreneurial need for action that goes far beyond information instruments and should be controlled by regulatory and market-based instruments.“

10 guiding political principles for the success of the circular economy

  1. Prioritize absolute reduction of resource consumption
  2. Set binding resource targets along the lines of climate targets
  3. Shaping the structural change triggered by the circular economy with specific policy instruments
  4. Creating conviction for comprehensive CE in social alliances
  5. Understanding education and knowledge transfer as the key to transformation
  6. Setting incentives for a change in values in companies
  7. Expanding the state’s role model function in procurement
  8. Strengthening regional value chains in Germany
  9. Provide financing and research & development for the transformation to a circular economy
  10. Germany must assume greater international responsibility

Conclusion: We still have a long way to go!

Looking at our current economic model and the MDCE draft, it is clear that we still have a lot of work to do to achieve a truly sustainable transformation.
It can only succeed if we all – consumers, companies and politicians – work hand in hand.
Let’s get started!

Read more:

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ESG-Ziele müssen auch von Führungs- und Kontrollorganen (Unernehmensführung, Vorstand, Aufsichtsrat) mitgetragen und erfüllt werden. Sonst drohen durch CSRD, LkSG, CSDDD und Co. empfindliche Strafen.
08.05.2024

ESG regulations oblige executives: What management boards, supervisory boards and management should do now

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23.04.2024

Why is sustainability important for companies?

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Gruppe verschiedenster Menschen bei einer Bürofeier
27.05.2024

Diversity in companies: Why and how?

No company can avoid the word “diversity” these days. But diversity is much more than just adding “m/f/d” to a job advertisement. Read this article to find out why diversity is so important in companies, what it actually brings and what you can do to promote diversity in your company in a targeted manner.

Why do companies need diversity?

Every person is different

Let’s start by defining what “diversity” actually means.
Because – spoiler – diversity is more than just sexual orientation and skin color.
To be more precise, there are seven dimensions of diversity.
These are almost unchangeable characteristics that every person has.
After all, each of us has a different personality and a different history:

  1. Age
  2. Ethnic origin & nationality
  3. Gender & gender identity
  4. Physical & mental abilities
  5. Religion & worldview
  6. Sexual orientation
  7. Social background

According to the Diversity Charter, these seven diversity dimensions have the greatest influence on whether we feel included or excluded in society.
In theory, the Basic Law and the General Equal Treatment Act already stipulate that no one should feel excluded.
Diversity is also important for many companies in the context of sustainability reporting.

Diversity in the company is surveyed in the ESG report

Above all ESG regulations, the ESRS – the CSRD reporting framework – has required disclosure of the diversity strategy since 2024.
ESRS S1 in particular asks how your company lives and promotes inclusion and diversity.

However, diversity was already an ESG reporting criterion before that.The German Sustainability Code, or DNKemphasizes the importance of diversity and has included it in its 20 criteria for report content.
Companies must state how they comply with the General Equal Treatment Act.
They should also show how they promote equal opportunities, pay everyone appropriately, avoid discrimination, make a positive contribution to the integration of minorities and promote the compatibility of family and career.

Of course, the globally recognized reporting standard of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) also deals with the topic of diversity.
The focus here is primarily on GRI 405.
Here you report, among other things, on the distribution of gender, age or the proportion of people with disabilities among employees and management.
There is also GRI 406, which relates to incidents of discrimination and asks how your company investigates or prevents them.

Decision support: Which ESRS data points are relevant?

Use our ESRS checklist to filter the disclosure requirements and data points relevant to your sustainability report.

Request checklist

Diversity in the company as a cross-section of society

The diversity dimensions also show how different we all actually are.
If we zoom out to Germany, we get an incredibly diverse picture of society.
Now a question for you: With this image in mind, is it close to reality if the company is made up of 80% white, 30 to 50-year-old, Christian or atheist, heterosexual men?
Or would it not be much better, conversely, if a company reflected the diversity of society?

Advantages of diversity in companies

Of course that would be much better.
And there is even solid evidence for this.
We have compiled a small selection for you below.

A study by StepStone and the Handelsblatt Media Group shows that a diverse management team boosts employee motivation.
According to the study, 77% of job seekers are also more likely to apply to companies that are tolerant and diverse.
Not to mention the fact that your company has access to a much larger talent pool if you value diversity when recruiting.

The survey also revealed that 80% of respondents see diversity in management as a major positive influence on the economic success of companies.
One of the reasons for this is that diverse teams bring a wide range of different experiences, perspectives, ways of thinking and problem-solving approaches to the table.
Incidentally, this also means that decisions are made up to 87% faster – and not only with half as many meetings as in homogeneous teams, but also with 60% better results!

Diversity in companies is also considered one of the most important drivers of team engagement. Deloitte found in a study that millennials are 83% more likely to be engaged when the company promotes diversity and inclusion.
No wonder none of the employees feel excluded!

In short: diversity in the company makes the company more attractive, increases employee satisfaction and productivity – and ultimately strengthens competitiveness.
According to another Deloitte study, diverse, inclusive companies perform up to 35% better than their competitors.

Sounds good?
We think so too.
But you should be aware of this: If you want to reap the benefits of diversity, you need to promote diversity in a targeted manner.
Here are a few practical tips from our People team to help you achieve this!

7 tips for diversity in companies

1. diversity starts at the top

Diversity in companies starts in the boardroom.
Make sure that the management team is diverse.
This involves obvious criteria such as origin, age or gender, but cognitive diversity also plays a role.
The management level should also exemplify diversity itself.
Train your managers to use inclusive language and promote a diverse workforce.

2. make job advertisements appealing to everyone

This starts with the classic “m/f/d” or “all genders” reference in the job advertisement.
You should also include a diversity statement that emphasizes once again that everyone is welcome here.
Use a gender decoder to check whether men and women feel equally addressed in your job advertisement – because certain words only address one gender.

Incidentally, it is also interesting to know how men and women read job advertisements.
Women tend to want to fulfill all criteria and often do not apply if they do not fulfill one criterion.
So find the right balance in the level of detail in the job description.
Feel free to encourage applicants with a separate note to apply even if they do not fulfill every single point.

Last but not least: Make sure to write the advertisement in a screen-reader-friendly way.

3. also live diversity in the recruiting process

Involve as many different employees from different departments as possible in your recruiting processes.
Not only the HR team, but also specialist departments or future colleagues and superiors.
On the one hand, you will notice more quickly who harmonizes well with the team and who is needed.
On the other hand, different perspectives ensure less bias and more openness to diversity.

Speaking of bias: offer recruiting staff regular recruiting and interview training.
These training sessions should identify and reduce potential bias (which we all have!).

Give all applicants a chance.
And don’t necessarily base your selection on who is exactly the same as the rest.
It’s much more exciting to see who would complement the team well. What skills, what personality, what character is still missing?

4. create guidelines on diversity

If you want to create more diversity in your company, you may have to adapt guidelines and processes.
As just mentioned, this starts with the job advertisement, which should not exclude anyone and should appeal to everyone.
Other options are

  • Allow religious holidays that are not prescribed by law
  • Offer childcare or establish partnerships with daycare centers
  • Offer more paid sick days than required by law

5. offer flexible working time models

Remote working, part-time models and generally flexible working hours enable employees with children, for example, to juggle everything.
But employees with a different working rhythm also benefit from this.
This is because they can adjust their working hours to when they are most productive – within the framework of legal regulations.

A tip: Work with calendars and certain status options.
Anyone who has a blocker in their calendar or is not available according to their status should not be contacted or assigned tasks.

6. create a working environment in which everyone feels comfortable

Design the workplace in such a way that everyone feels comfortable and can work well.
This includes, for example

  • Barrier-free design of the workplace, but also of the toilets or kitchen and – sounds obvious, but is rarely considered – the entrance to the company!
  • Retreats or quiet zones for undisturbed work
  • Options for individual ergonomic workplace equipment, especially at the desk

7. check the implementation of diversity and have an open ear

Make sure that diversity in the company is not just on paper, but is actually practiced in everyday life.
Make sure that all employees are aware of the guidelines and rights.
Provide (anonymous) surveys and feedback opportunities.

This means that anyone can submit suggestions for improvement, but also draw attention to discrimination and disadvantages.
The Whistleblower Protection Act, for which companies must set up a whistleblower system anyway, is also essential for this.

Always remember: your employees see problems and potential that you probably don’t know about because you are not specifically affected!

Diversity in companies is a process – it pays to keep at it!

Diversity cannot be implemented overnight and certainly not top-down.

Take one step at a time.
Follow best practices and examples from other companies, but be sure to adapt them to your company with the help of your employees.

The first port of call is the Diversity Charter’s resources – e.g. its tips for diversity management in large companies, SMEs, the public sector and associations.
Over time, you will create a company where everyone feels welcome.
We wish you every success!

 

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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15.05.2024

Sanctions at a glance: The cost of mistakes in reporting and implementing sustainability

A slap on the wrist and, if it becomes public, a brief outcry from the public: until a few years ago, companies didn’t have to worry too much if they put sustainability on the back burner or engaged in greenwashing. This is now a thing of the past. Read here about the consequences if the new requirements are not implemented correctly – and get tips on how to do it right!

Some simply lack an overview of their own data.
Others are overwhelmed by the numerous requirements of the new ESG regulations.
Still others underestimate the effort involved and start far too late.
And then, of course, there are companies that try to cover up their lack of commitment to sustainability with falsified information.
The possible reasons for inadequate implementation of the new regulations in sustainability, climate and supply chain management are as varied as the people who implement them for their companies.
Until a few years ago, there were hardly any consequences.
There might have been a shitstorm and a few calls for a boycott, but over time – or a lot of PR work – these soon petered out.
However, with the introduction of the new regulations and guidelines for sustainable business practices, which are being rolled out across Europe as part of the Green Deal, this is now a thing of the past.
Errors and misrepresentations can be expensive.
How expensive exactly?
We have summarized this for you in this article – including recommended reading to help you get it right!

This information is editorial content that should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

Sanctions for EU taxonomy, CSRD and SFDR

As far as uniform sanctions are concerned, the trio is unfortunately still rather incomplete.
This is because the three directives have yet to be transposed into national law.
Each EU member state must independently determine the extent to which it wishes to sanction errors in financial and non-financial reporting.
In line with the CSR-RUG – the predecessor of the CSRD – errors in reporting in accordance with the CSRD, SFDR and EU taxonomy will presumably also be penalized in accordance with §331 and §334 HGB.
In figures, this means

  • Prison sentences of up to 3 years
  • For members of authorized representative bodies or supervisory boards of a corporation: prison sentences of up to 3 years; companies face fines of up to 2 million euros or twice the economic benefit they have derived from the incorrect report – whichever is higher.
  • For capital market-oriented companies: Fines of up to 10 million euros, 5 percent of annual turnover or twice the economic benefit – the highest amount is also chosen here.

On top of this – as the fermented icing on the cake, so to speak – there may also be legal action for breach of competition law, exclusion from public procurement procedures and “naming and shaming”, i.e. public disclosure including loss of reputation.
loss of reputation.
Important to know: Only intentional errors and errors due to gross negligence are punishable.
Incidentally, the Auditors’ Association wants to relax the CSRD for auditors: With a cap on the amount of liability and limited liability for gross negligence.
However, this demand has been heavily criticized – so there is still some way to go here.
From 2025, the first court proceedings will show the exact direction of sanctions for breaches of the EU taxonomy, CSRD and SFDR. Read more:

Practical guide to CSRD

Our practical guide, including a checklist, will help you prepare for CSRD reporting.
Find out what challenges there are and how you can overcome them.

Download practical guide

Sanctions for LkSG and CSDDD

CSDDD

After a long back and forth, an agreement was reached in March 2024 on the CSDDD; the European supply chain law.
Here, too, there is still some time before it is transposed into national law.
However, the liability and sanction framework in the event of a breach of the due diligence obligations for people and the environment enshrined in the CSDDD is already clear.
Affected companies are liable for all damages that occur along the upstream supply chain due to inadequate or missing risk prevention or remedial measures – unless these are caused by a business partner.
In other words:

  • If your company knows about irregularities and ignores them, supervisory authorities can impose fines of up to 5% of global turnover.
  • Civil liability will also be introduced.
    Those affected can therefore assert claims against your company with the help of NGOs or trade unions, for example.
  • There is also the threat of naming and shaming and exclusion from public procurement.

LkSG

In contrast to the CSDDD, there is no civil liability under the German Supply Chain Act.
However, there are expensive fines if the legal obligations are not complied with.
Under the LKSG, these include environmental and human rights due diligence obligations towards indirect suppliers and, if known, also towards direct suppliers.
Under the LkSG, risks must also be identified, documented and then eliminated or at least minimized.
Otherwise there is a risk of fines of up to 8 million euros.
For companies with an annual turnover of more than 400 million euros, the fine increases to up to 2% of annual global turnover.
And: companies can be excluded from public procurement. Read more:

EU ETS and CBAM sanctions

EU ETS

With the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the EU aims to cap the emissions of the member states.
Companies only have a certain amount of freedom to emit emissions – otherwise certificates must be purchased.
Non-compliance could result in fines:

  • 100 euros per metric ton of CO2 equivalents emitted without a certificate

In order to avoid certificate prices on the one hand and sanctions on the other, some companies relocated their production to non-EU countries (“carbon leakage”).
The CBAM was therefore also introduced as part of the EU ETS reform.

CBAM

Since January 2024, the CBAM reporting obligation has applied to all companies that import certain emission-intensive goods from non-EU countries.
The so-called “climate tariff” supplements the EU ETS – and entails a whole range of possible sanctions:

  • Transitional phase: If the CBAM report is incomplete, contains incorrect information or is not submitted at all, or is not corrected after being requested to do so, a penalty of 10 to 50 euros per ton of unreported emissions will be imposed.
  • Implementation phase: In accordance with the EU ETS, fines of EUR 100 per tonne of CO2 equivalent are imposed for missing certificates.
  • Anyone importing CBAM goods without the status of authorized user must expect even higher penalties.
  • In addition to the financial sanctions, it is also possible that the “Authorized Declarant” status will be withdrawn – the company concerned would then no longer be allowed to import CBAM goods from 2026.

Good to know: As a CBAM applicant, you will have noticed that there was a delay in activating the registration options.
As a result, the first CBAM reports could not be submitted on time.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, however, this delay will not be penalized. Read more:

Is your purchasing department ready for the ESG requirements?

Companies are now affected by a large number of sustainability requirements – and purchasing is no exception.
Use our checklist to find out whether your purchasing organization is optimally prepared for ESG requirements.

Download checklist

Sanctions with the EUDR

Supply chain officers and buyers must prepare for even more sanctions.
At the end of 2024, the directive for deforestation-free supply chains – the EUDR – will come into force.
If you place products on the EU internal market that have been produced without deforestation, you could face the following penalties under the directive:

  • Skimming off profits unlawfully made as a result of non-compliance with the EUDR
  • Fines in proportion to forest damage and value of goods, but at least 4 % of annual turnover
  • Seizure of goods or products
  • Temporary import bans
  • Exclusion from public funds and public tenders
  • Inclusion in a public list incl.
    Information on the violation

Also important: If you do not have the relevant geo-information and proof of origin for your goods, you will no longer be allowed to import them into the EU once the EUDR comes into force.
Keep this in mind now if you are ordering goods that you want to import into the EU internal market from 2025. Read more:

Sanctions under the Green Claims Directive

There is already a whole range of regulations on environmental claims and environmental labeling systems on the market.
The Green Claims Directive will be added shortly.
It is specifically aimed at advertising claims that make a product or company appear more sustainable than it actually is.
False green claims are punished as follows:

  • Fines of at least 4% of the annual turnover
  • Exclusion from public procurement
  • Recovery of the revenue that your company has generated through the false statements.

Read more:

Save money and nerves with VERSO

To ensure that companies do not approach the sustainable transformation too carelessly, the EU provides for “effective, proportionate and dissuasive” measures in any case.
In view of the possible sanctions, we are happy to believe this – and help you to correctly implement the guidelines and regulations that apply to you.
Not only our top software, but also our experienced consultants and our specialized partners are at your side.
Feel free to get in touch with us!

Get in touch now!

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ESG-Ziele müssen auch von Führungs- und Kontrollorganen (Unernehmensführung, Vorstand, Aufsichtsrat) mitgetragen und erfüllt werden. Sonst drohen durch CSRD, LkSG, CSDDD und Co. empfindliche Strafen.
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23.04.2024

Why is sustainability important for companies? Facts & Figures 2024

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important – not only for private individuals, but also for companies. This article shows why you should not regard sustainability as a mere compulsory exercise.

5 facts why sustainability is important for companies

ESG issues (environmental, social and governance) are playing an increasingly important role in business.
And rightly so: sustainability and sustainable action bring many advantages to a company – as various surveys show.
Sustainability is therefore important because:

  • it ensures the continued existence of the company
  • it ensures economic success in the future,
  • it increases employee motivation,
  • it strengthens customer loyalty to the company
  • and because it creates new jobs.

ESG has developed into a topic that has become increasingly important for both private households and companies.
For companies, sustainability is no longer just a label that can be marketed nicely.
In addition to ethical aspects, it also brings major economic benefits – for example in the recruitment of employees, customer loyalty and, as a result, greater economic success.
However, in order to implement sustainability efforts in a targeted manner, companies should not implement loose measures, but rather develop a sustainability strategy – with concrete goals, measures and key figures for monitoring.

How do I create a sustainability report?

Creating a meaningful sustainability report can be quite a challenge.
It’s easier with our practice-oriented playbook “7 steps to a sustainability report”.

Download Playbook

Sustainability ensures economic success

Sustainability is no longer limited to sorting waste in the office, but has a strong influence on many fundamental sectors of a company.
Therefore, the switch to sustainable business practices can of course be time-consuming and cost-intensive.
But the effort is worth it, as these four studies show:

  • 95% of respondents to the Ramboll’s 2019 Sustainability Survey stated that ESG is an important factor for long-term economic success.
    The reason: consumers are increasingly buying regional and ecologically valuable products.
  • 45 % of the KPMG 2022 CEO Outlook executives surveyed (globally) stated that ESG measures improve their company’s financial performance.
  • 67 % of the Sustainability Monitor 2024 companies surveyed recognize added value in CSRD for the further development of the company.
  • 55 % of the KPMG 2024 U.S. CEO Outlook executives surveyed expect to see a significant ROI from their ESG initiatives in the next three to five years.

 

Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit auf den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen auswirkt

Practical guide to CSRD

Our practical guide, including a checklist, will help you prepare for CSRD reporting.
Find out what challenges there are and how you can overcome them.

Download practical guide

Sustainability secures the future of companies

However, ESG commitment not only ensures that the company is in a good financial position.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the climate crisis and its consequences are becoming a real threat to established business models and that business as usual is no longer sustainable.
Conversely, this means that sustainable transformation ensures the long-term survival of companies.

  • 55 % of the Capgemini of the German companies surveyed recognize that something has to change: they consider climate change to be the main cause of future disruptions to operations.
  • 61% of the managers surveyed worldwide in the same study are of the opinion that a lack of sustainability strategy will become an existential risk in the long term.
Infografik: Studien, wie Nachhaltigkeit die Zukunft von Unternehmen sichert

Stronger customer loyalty through sustainable business practices

Satisfied customers are usually also loyal customers – as shown by a survey by Capgemini Study Sustainability in CPR 2020:

  • Three quarters of the companies surveyed from the consumer goods industry and retail sector stated that the inclusion of sustainability increases their customer loyalty.
  • 79 % change their purchasing behavior in favor of more sustainability.
  • 66% even select products and services specifically according to how sustainable they are.

This is in stark contrast to the 36% of large companies that were also surveyed in this study – and stated that sustainability does not play a major role for their customers.
In the study, Deloitte examined The Sustainable Customer 2023study, Deloitte investigated what consumers want from companies when it comes to sustainability.
The result: more transparency and honesty, among other things.
34% would trust a brand more if its ESG measures were verified by an independent third party – as the new Green Claims Directive aims to achieve.

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CSRD: New requirements for sustainability reports

As part of the Green Deal, the EU is driving forward numerous measures for sustainable transformation – including the CSRD.
You can find all the details in our factsheet.

Download the CSRD factsheet

Sustainability – the key to motivated employees

However, satisfaction must not only come from outside, but also from within.
After all, motivated employees do more for their company.
A company with a sustainable focus can provide precisely this additional motivation boost – and also give itself a real advantage in the search for talent:

  • 67 % of the employees surveyed for the report Sustainability in CPR report stated that the integration of ESG issues in the company had increased employee motivation.
  • The EIB Climate Survey 2023 found that 56% of people surveyed value an employer that thinks (and acts!) sustainably.
  • For almost a fifth of the younger job seekers surveyed in this study, sustainability is even the criterion when choosing an employer.
  • And an HR survey by Gartner found that a strong ESG culture can increase employee engagement by up to 43%.
Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit Mitarbeitermotivation fördert und bei der Talentsuche unterstützt

Sustainability creates jobs

All of these factors play a role in economic success.
However, the benefits of a sustainable economy can also be seen in the economy as a whole.
According to a study by Deloitte, Germany will generate around 12 billion euros in additional gross value added per year by 2030, creating 177,000 new jobs in the process.
In addition to economic successes, 5.5 million tons of greenhouse gases will also be saved each year.

Infografik: 3 Fakten, welche Vorteile eine Nachhaltige Transformation der Wirtschaft bzw. eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Deutschland bringt

Act now!

Developing a sustainability strategy involves work.
VERSO provides you with holistic support along the way. Since 2010.

How VERSO helps

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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17.04.2024

Step by step to Net Zero: how to develop a climate strategy for your company

The climate strategy for your company is imminent. But how to start – and where? Read this article to find out how to develop a suitable strategy for targeted decarbonization step by step!

Sustainability has become more of a focus for society, politics and business in recent years.
With the Paris Climate Agreement, the European Green Deal and its various implementation strategies such as CBAM, the EU Climate Change Act, CSRD or CSDDD, there is a whole range of targets, goals and guidelines, including for climate protection.
Nevertheless, there are warnings that the current course is not enough and that we will crack the 1.5° mark sooner than feared.
So is it better to bury our heads in the sand because it won’t help anyway?
No – it is now all the more important that everyone gets involved.
Companies in particular have a responsibility here.
But how and where to start?
Here is a step-by-step guide to developing a decarbonization strategy for your company!

1. recognize the challenge: Tackling the climate strategy with the right motivation

55% of the German managers surveyed in a Capgemini study stated that In the next ten years, climate change will pose the greatest challenges for the business model.
Climate change is no longer just around the corner – it already has both feet in the hallway.
For the first companies, it has even arrived in the living room and is smashing the fine china in the display case.
This is because climate change has long since had an impact on the first supply chains and business models.
So the challenge is clear: develop strategies and plans to reduce your own company’s emissions. At VERSO, we think it’s important not only to recognize the challenge – but also to find the right motivation to get started in a focused way and to persevere.
So here’s a question for you: What is your motivation behind developing a climate strategy? Perhaps for you it’s the traditional regulatory pressure.
For example, because you are obliged by the CSRD to disclose your climate strategy.
But perhaps the matter is also close to your heart regardless of the law – because you can see the advantages of a climate strategy or because you want to future-proof your company.
You may also want to arm yourself against rising costs due to CBAM and EU emissions trading, meet the growing demand for sustainable products or strengthen your employer branding.
Whatever it is, a clear motivation brings commitment throughout the company and ensures that your decarbonization plan is not just based on dry numbers.

2. create a CO₂ balance sheet or GHG balance sheet: The basis of your climate strategy

But it doesn’t work entirely without dry figures.
Once the commitment has been clarified, the second step is to lay the foundations for your decarbonization strategy.
This first requires an inventory in the form of a carbon footprint.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol(GHG Protocol) provides you with guidance.
This is the most widely used standard for balancing greenhouse gas emissions.
Important when determining your emissions: Go really in-depth and get as much data as possible – from as many sources as possible!
How is your company structured?
What sources of emissions are there in your company?
Which of these sources are real emissions hotspots?
How many emissions are generated each year?
Work your way through your processes, products and activities step by step – right through to Scope 3.
Because even if it is easier to collect data for Scope 1 and Scope 2, Scope 3 emissions from the upstream and downstream value chain account for up to 80% of a company’s total emissions!
Tools such as our Climate Hub and Supply Chain Hub make it easier for you to record all climate data accurately and clearly.

Überblick zu den einzelnen Scopes: Scope 1 umfasst direkte Emissionen eines Unternehmens, Scope 2 umfasst indirekte Emissionen eines Unternehmens und Scope 3 umfasst alle Emissionen, die in der Wertschöpfungskette eines Unternehmens entstehen.

By the way: If you want to know even more precisely, you can balance all of your company’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to CO₂, a complete GHG balance sheet includes six other gases with greenhouse gas potential – including methane and nitrous oxide, for example.

3. set targets for the decarbonization strategy

The status quo is ticked off.
Now the journey can begin.
But – where are we actually going?
The next step is to set clear climate targets for your company.
Preferably in SMARTform, of course:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Ambitious
  • Realistic
  • Scheduled

Be sure to involve your company’s stakeholders here – because setting targets over the heads of employees, which they ultimately have to implement, can quickly backfire.
Here is a short checklist for the goals of your climate strategy:

  • Our climate targets are science-based (support is provided, for example, by the SBTi sector guidelines)
  • Our climate targets support the 1.5° target of the Paris Climate Agreement
  • We have set a baseline year to benchmark our progress
  • We have agreed a clear timeframe for our climate targets

When planning your reduction targets, also differentiate between:

  • Long-term climate targets that go hand in hand with far-reaching structural changes in your company
  • Short-term climate targets with which your company can achieve initial success quickly
  • Absolute climate targets; i.e. quantitative targets to be achieved by time X
  • Relative climate targets; i.e. the CO₂ reduction depends on key figures such as the number of employees or production figures

4. plan measures to implement the climate strategy

You are aware of your company’s emissions and climate hotspots and have set yourself clear decarbonization targets. Unfortunately, targets alone do not slow down climate change.
So in step 4, it’s time to plan your strategy so that you can take action.
Here are four tips from our side:

  1. Involve important stakeholders here again in order to find as many approaches and levers as possible.
  2. External consultants are also worth considering – they can help you uncover hidden potential for reducing emissions.
  3. Make sure that the measures are feasible.
    No one is helped if you develop ambitious goals and radical measures that are unfortunately not compatible with reality.
  4. Get a picture of the maturity levels of your stakeholders.
    An example: In order to achieve the climate targets in the supply chain, suppliers should produce 100% with renewable energies.
    Supplier A has had sustainability on its agenda for a long time and fulfills this requirement with ease.
    Supplier B has not had much to do with sustainability so far, but wants to make the switch – your company can help here with training or support.

Is your procurement ready for ESG requirements?

Prepare yourself optimally for all new requirements with this checklist!

Request checklist

5. reduce emissions

If planned correctly, your climate strategy should work like a cycle: After the initial assessment with objectives and action planning, there is a “working phase” in which you let your measures take effect and pursue your goals.
After a year, you take stock and adjust your strategy to make it even more efficient.
The rule here is: good things take time.
If the decarbonization strategy is to have a real impact, it can run for ten years or longer in large companies with extensive processes and supply chains!

6. offset unavoidable emissions

Let’s be honest – CO₂ compensation is a controversial topic.
Some are in favor of it, others see it as greenwashing.
In principle, offsetting should really only be an option if you have fully exhausted all potential for reducing emissions.
If you decide to offset unavoidable emissions as part of your climate strategy, we would like to give you an important tip: Make use of reputable offsetting projects that

  1. are tailored to your company and
  2. whose effect is measurable.

The voluntary carbon market is not yet regulated by the state and is rather opaque.
Instead of legally binding criteria for validating carbon offsetting, there are only a number of private standards and registers with different quality criteria.
The result: major differences in quality within the climate protection projects on which the so-called CO₂ credits are based.
So take a close look.
In particular, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has already successfully (and publicly!) sued several times against compensation through forest projects and reforestation, for example because the estimated forest area could not compensate for the amount of CO₂ emitted or the project did not run long enough to keep up with the lifetime of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

7. optimize climate strategy – and communicate with pleasure!

We briefly touched on this a moment ago: The decarbonization strategy is not a one-off project.
Once it gets rolling, it will run for many, many years.
After all, we still have a long way to go with climate change.
And a lot can happen in those years.
Check progress regularly.
What is going according to plan, where is there a hitch, where is nothing happening at all?
Check whether you will achieve your goals within the agreed time frame.
Talk to your stakeholders about where there is still potential. And please evaluate honestly whether your current strategy is actually of any use to the stakeholder on whom everything ultimately depends: nature! Last but not least: mistakes are part of the process – just like celebrating successes.
Communicate your progress, but also openly admit where you may have misjudged.
Show what your company wants to achieve and where you want to make improvements. Transparency, honesty and commitment are the drivers of sustainable transformation!

Let’s find your way towards Net Zero

Alongside sustainability reporting, planning and implementing the climate strategy is one of the most time-consuming tasks.
Thousands of data points and emission factors from the entire value chain are included in the calculation of the carbon footprint.
Many of these are not directly available to you and must first be obtained.
If you want to carry out the calculation correctly (i.e. in line with international standards such as the GHG Protocol), you need insight and perseverance.
And then there are doubts like: Do our climate targets even make sense?
Are our measures having any effect?
Can I communicate this and that milestone for our product now, or will I be accused of greenwashing?

Your overview of the new Green Claims Directive

New obligations for all those who advertise with terms such as “climate neutral”: The Anti-Greenwashing Directive sets barriers.
What you should know now.

Download factsheet

The first climate strategy in particular is a real challenge.
VERSO helps you to get started – and to implement your decarbonization plan safely in the long term.
Interested?
Then take a look at how we can support you with your climate strategy:

How VERSO helps

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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  • Pragmatic all-in-one solution for ESG reporting, climate and supply chain management
  • Individual advice from the VERSO experts
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  • Trusted by 250+ customers

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LKW auf einer Landstraße als Symbolbild für die Lieferkette
28.03.2024

Why is climate protection relevant in the supply chain?

In this blog post, we take a look at why climate protection is also a high priority in the supply chain from two perspectives. You will also find specific tips for decarbonizing your supply chain.

LkSG and CSDDD – when you hear these terms, the first thing that comes to mind is human rights due diligence in the supply chain, such as fair working conditions and protection against slavery.
Climate protection?
Perhaps only a second thought.
However, it should definitely not be neglected in the sustainable transformation of supply chains.
After all, this is where the majority of a company’s emissions are generated.
And that has consequences.
In this blog post, we take a look at why climate protection in the supply chain is also a high priority from two perspectives.
You will also find specific tips for decarbonizing your supply chain.

Climate protection in the supply chain – because it is required by law

The first reason is quite banal: Climate protection must be taken into account because it is quite simply imposed on certain companies by law.
The basis for current sustainability legislation is the Paris Climate Agreement.
With this agreement, almost 200 countries have committed themselves to the global 1.5° target and the reduction of emissions, among other things.
The Paris Climate Agreement is the basis for the European Green Deal a strategy with which the EU aims to become climate-neutral by 2050.
A whole range of strategies have been planned for its implementation.
The most important of these for purchasing are the German Climate Protection Act (GHG neutrality by 2045), the EUDR (deforestation-free supply chains), the CSDDD (EU supply chain law) and the CSRD (sustainability reporting).
Added to this is the “Fit for 55”-package, which aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 55% by 2030. This results, among other things, in the CBAM (CO2 tax) and a reform of EU emissions trading. In addition, Germany has introduced the LkSG which was developed on the basis of the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights.

Darstellung: Auf dem Pariser Klimaabkommen bauen die meisten der aktuellen Nachhaltigkeitsgesetze und -regularien auf

All of these guidelines directly and indirectly oblige companies to prioritize climate protection in their supply chains.
For example, the CSDDD draft paper – in relation to the CSRD climate obligations – explicitly requires “that the company’s business model and strategy are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with limiting global warming to 1.5 °C in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the goal of climate neutrality in accordance with [dem EU-Klimagesetz], including [der Ziele] for climate neutrality […].”(CSDDD draft of 15.3.2024 , Art. 15) So much for the dry legal perspective.
However, as we already wrote in the ESG Briefing, we at VERSO are convinced that anyone who does not take a holistic approach to the topic of sustainability strategy will only end up with bureaucratic red tape without any added value as a result of the requirements. So let’s take a look at why climate protection in the supply chain is incredibly important, even beyond legal obligations!

Climate protection in the supply chain – because it makes companies future-proof

Climate change poses risks for supply chains

The supply chain is the backbone of every company.
But it is also one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Depending on the industry, up to 80% of a company’s total emissions are generated here alone.
By now, everyone should be aware that greenhouse gas emissions – especially CO2 – fuel climate change.
And this has consequences for the supply chain.
Because with global warming, storms, heavy rain, floods, but also heatwaves with droughts and fires are becoming more frequent worldwide.
These extreme weather events can damage, block or completely destroy production facilities and transport routes.
This results in delivery delays and production and harvest failures with considerable financial losses and frustration among customers.
On the other hand, there is the growing global demand for raw materials of all kinds. This is not just about rare earths or important metals, but also about very basic things such as drinking water and food.
And where resources become scarce, conflicts, tensions or even wars are not long in coming.
It is clear as daylight that this is a real problem for the local people on the one hand, but also for your supply chain on the other.
It is therefore in the interests of procurement to help curb climate change with climate protection measures along the supply chain.

Supply chain resilience with VERSO

Gain transparency, reduce dependencies, keep an eye on current crises: Find out how you can strengthen your supply chain with the VERSO Supply Chain Hub!

Your path to supply chain resilience

Customers and consumers demand sustainability

Sustainability – and therefore also climate protection – is becoming increasingly important for investors, customers and consumers when making purchasing decisions: 79% of consumers surveyed in a Capgemini study stated that they are changing their purchasing behavior in the interests of sustainability.
66% even responded that they specifically look for environmental friendliness when selecting products and services.
Sustainable, climate-friendly products are therefore a) becoming a competitive advantage.
But be careful: If it says climate protection on the label, it must really contain climate protection!
With the Green Claims Directive, false or vague environmental claims (greenwashing) lead to expensive fines.
Not to mention the loss of reputation for your company.
And even if the CSDDD no longer directly affects SMEs and companies can no longer simply pass on their due diligence obligations to their suppliers: The Business Development Bank of Canada found that 92% of large companies will demand clear ESG information from their suppliers.
ESG commitment is therefore also b) becoming a decision criterion when awarding contracts.

Measures for climate protection in the supply chain

In summary, we can therefore state the following: On the one hand, climate protection in the supply chain is a must because it is simply required by law in various forms.
At the same time, however, it also presents opportunities!
If you start decarbonizing your supply chain now, you will make it more resilient to climate change risks and their effects.
At the same time, you will meet the growing sustainability demands of customers and consumers.
And you protect yourself against rising costs, such as those associated with the carbon pricing that the CBAM places on imports.
The challenges associated with the sustainable transformation of the supply chain are therefore more than worth it.
Don’t you agree?
Last but not least, only one question remains: What does climate protection in the supply chain mean in practice?
You can find specific tips on reducing emissions in the supply chain in our article “Decarbonizing the supply chain: How companies can achieve their climate targets along the supply chain”.
Read on now!  

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Meeresschildkröte, die durch Plastikmüll schwimmt: Mit der neuen EU-Richtlinie gegen Greenwashing sollen solche Bilder seltener werden
26.03.2024

Green Claims Directive: EU takes action against greenwashing

While many companies are making efforts to become more sustainable by changing their business practices, there are unfortunately also some black sheep: companies that present themselves as sustainable in order to gain the associated benefits (e.g. customer trust or investor interest), but in reality do not keep their promises. To curb this, the EU Parliament has approved the Green Claims Directive.

Environmental information is often misleading

In January 2023, DIE ZEIT and The Guardian published an explosive story about the leading provider of CO2 certificates Verra.
According to the story, some of the carbon credits used by companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions were not actually reducing carbon emissions.
Another study by the European Commission found that more than half of the environmental claims made by companies in the EU were vague or misleading, with a whopping 40% of claims being completely unsubstantiated.
And green labels are also misleading consumers: half of all green labels offer weak or non-existent verification.

CSRD: New requirements for sustainability reports

As part of the Green Deal, the EU is driving forward numerous measures for sustainable transformation – including the CSRD.
You can find all the details in our factsheet.

Download the CSRD factsheet

The EU’s response: the Green Claims Directive

To combat these practices, the EU Commission published a draft of the Green Claims Directive on March 22, 2023.
Almost exactly one year later, on March 13, 2024, the European Parliament voted in favor of the Green Claims Directive with 467 votes in favor, 65 against and 74 abstentions.
The dossier will be pursued by the new Parliament after the European elections in June.
The directive is part of the Circular Economy Action Plan, which also includes, for example, the recently adopted right to repair.
The objectives of the new regulation:

  • Green statements throughout the EU should be reliable, comparable and verifiable;
  • Consumers should be protected from greenwashing;
  • The directive is intended to contribute to a circular and green EU economy by enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions;
  • The aim is to create a level playing field with regard to the environmental performance of products.

Which environmental claims are affected by the Green Claims Directive?

The Green Claims Directive deals with statements in the context of
communication that indicate that a product or a company is

  • has a positive or no impact on the environment,
  • is less harmful to the environment than other products or companies or
  • that its effect has improved over time.

Experience has shown that environmental claims such as “green“, “climate-neutral” or “100% CO2-compensated” are often misleading and can easily mislead consumers.
The EU wants to create more transparency with explicit regulations for climate-related claims, especially when it comes to CO2 offsetting projects and methods.

Will “green claims” be banned?

Companies are still encouraged to communicate about their sustainability activities or the sustainability of their products.
Nevertheless, there are restrictions on how and what can be communicated.
For example, it is important for sustainability labels to be based on a certification system, and general environmental claims are prohibited if there is no evidence of performance.
Environmental claims may also not be made for an entire product if they only relate to one aspect.
You can find out which environmental claims companies need to pay particular attention to in the white paper on the Green Claims Directive.

What are the consequences of the Anti-Greenwashing Directive for companies?

The directive now requires companies to provide evidence of their environmental claims, have them independently audited and then communicate them transparently.
Those who do not comply with the directive can expect hefty fines and exclusion from public tenders.
We have explained the specifics of the verification process, the differences to other laws and the possible consequences of non-compliance in detail in our white paper.

What does the directive achieve against greenwashing?

With the introduction of the new set of rules against greenwashing, consumers will once again be able to rely more on information in sustainability reports, on websites and on product packaging.
The growing number of private eco-labels will be restricted if the label is awarded on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.
This way, consumers will no longer have to wade through a jungle of eco-labels.
Restricting greenwashing also means that competition will be fairer.
Companies that really want to make a difference will get more attention and an advantage on the market.
And, of course, our planet will benefit if companies actually drive forward the sustainable transformation.

Your overview of the new Green Claims Directive

With the Green Claims Directive, the EU now provides a clear framework for sustainability claims.
Get a clear overview of the new Green Claims Directive and its consequences for your company in this factsheet!

Download whitepaper

We support you with your sustainability communication

VERSO supports the EU project to curb greenwashing.
In this context, we also advise you and your company on sustainability communication.
Our sustainability consultants will help you to publish meaningful information while remaining truthful – whether as part of a sustainability report or other internal and external forms of communication.

Please write to us. We can help you.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Aufgerollte Stahlbleche als Symbolbild für die Dekarbonisierung der Lieferkette
04.03.2024

Lieferkette dekarbonisieren: So erreichen Unternehmen ihre Klimaziele entlang der Supply Chain

Ca. 80 % der Gesamtemissionen entstehen entlang der Lieferkette – der Weg zur Net Zero braucht daher auch klare Klimaziele für die Lieferkette. Aber Ziele allein sind nicht alles. Wie Sie diese auch umsetzen, lesen Sie hier.

Zahlreiche Unternehmen haben in den vergangenen Jahren deutlich gespürt, dass ihre Lieferketten krisenanfällig sind. Immer mehr Unternehmen verschrieben sich daraufhin einer Nachhaltigen Transformation ihres Geschäftsmodells. Schon bald kam außerdem „von ganz oben“ der Push zum Nachhaltigen Wirtschaften: Mit dem Europäischen Green Deal gibt die EU das ambitionierte Ziel der Klimaneutralität bis 2050 vor.

Transparenz über den eigenen Tellerrand hinaus

Eine der Säulen des Green Deal ist die CSRD, die Unternehmen zur Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung verpflichtet. Heißt: Unternehmen müssen detaillierte Daten zum Status quo, ihren Zielen und ihren Maßnahmen in Sachen Nachhaltigkeit offenlegen. Mit den ESRS wurde dafür eigens ein Regelwerk eingeführt, das diese Daten gezielt abfragt. Doch für lückenlose Nachhaltigkeitsberichte braucht es vor allem eins: 100-prozentige Transparenz. Und zwar weit über den eigenen Tellerrand hinaus.

Allein schon LkSG, EUDR und CBAM verlangen von Unternehmen Lieferkettentransparenz. Zusätzlich fordert speziell der Standard ESRS E1 („Klimaschutz und Klimawandel“) eine klare Zielsetzung und Strategieplanung sämtlicher Emissionen, die mit Ihrem Unternehmen in Verbindung stehen – bis in Scope 3 hinein.

Überblick zu den einzelnen Scopes: Scope 1 umfasst direkte Emissionen eines Unternehmens, Scope 2 umfasst indirekte Emissionen eines Unternehmens und Scope 3 umfasst alle Emissionen, die in der Wertschöpfungskette eines Unternehmens entstehen.

Mit durchschnittlich 80 % der Gesamtemissionen entsteht der Großteil der Emissionen eines Unternehmens entlang der Lieferkette. Scope-3-Emissionen haben in der CO2-Bilanz den größten Impact.

Die ESRS im Überblick

Die EU führt mit der neuen Berichtspflicht CSRD auch einheitliche europäische Standards für vergleichbare Nachhaltigkeitsberichte ein – die ESRS. Verschaffen Sie sich im Factsheet einen Überblick!

ESRS-Whitepaper herunterladen

Ihr Unternehmen benötigt also eindeutige Antworten, wie es um die Emissionen entlang der Supply Chain steht – und wie Sie Ihre Lieferkette gezielt dekarbonisieren können.

Haben Ihre Lieferanten ihre Emissionen im Blick, oder ist es ihnen egal? Können sie Ihnen Daten dazu liefern? Und wenn nicht – haben sie zumindest vor, die benötigten Daten zukünftig bereitzustellen? Können Sie sie dazu bewegen, gemeinsam mit Ihrem Unternehmen Nachhaltigkeit voranzutreiben?

Fragen über Fragen. Wie Sie an Antworten kommen, schauen wir uns jetzt an.

4 Schritte zur Dekarbonisierung Ihrer Lieferkette

Schritt 1: Scope-3-Emissionen abschätzen

Verschaffen Sie sich einen Überblick über Ihre Lieferanten und stellen Sie sich eine Liste der Ausgaben und Warengruppen zusammen. Daraus können Sie Lieferanten-Emissionen abschätzen. Fehlen Ihnen genaue Daten, können Sie dafür zunächst auf Durchschnittsdaten der Branche zurückgreifen. Präzisieren Sie die Verteilung, sobald Ihnen Primärdaten der Lieferanten zur Verfügung stehen.

Schritt 2: Scope-3-Hotspots erfassen und Klimareifegrad der Lieferanten bewerten

Kategorisieren Sie Ihre Lieferanten dann nach ihrem Klimareifegrad. Supply-Chain-Tools wie der VERSO Supply Chain Hub ermöglichen das über direkte Anfragen.

  • Kein Reifegrad vorhanden: Dekarbonisierungsstrategie oder -maßnahmen fehlen gänzlich.
  • Geringer Reifegrad: Erste Schritte zur CO2-Reduktion wurden unternommen, aber noch kein systematisches Vorgehen.
  • Fortgeschrittener Reifegrad: Konkrete Reduktionsmaßnahmen werden umgesetzt, sind aber noch nicht in den Geschäftsprozessen verankert.
  • Hoher Reifegrad: Der Lieferant setzt die Dekarbonisierung systematisch um, Reduktionsmaßnahmen sind fest in die Unternehmensstrategie integriert.
  • Sehr hoher Reifegrad: Nachhaltigkeit steht schon lange auf der Agenda. Mit innovativen Herangehensweisen und hohen Standards geht der Lieferant als Paradebeispiel voran.

Anhaltspunkte hierfür sind bspw. die Rohstoffherkunft, Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz, der Einsatz erneuerbarer Energien in Produktion und Transport oder verifizierte (!) CO2-Kompensationsprojekte. Ein weiterer Pluspunkt wäre bspw. das freiwillige Bereitstellen eines Nachhaltigkeitsberichts.

Sie wissen nun, wie hoch die Emissionslast pro Lieferant/Produkt ist und wie ernst Ihre Lieferanten das Thema Nachhaltigkeit schon nehmen. Das verschafft Ihnen einen Überblick, welche Lieferanten besondere Aufmerksamkeit und Unterstützung benötigen, wenn Sie später die Strategie zum Erreichen Ihrer Dekarbonisierungsziele implementieren.

Schritt 3: Klimaziele festlegen, Lieferanten onboarden

Legen Sie klare, wissenschaftsbasierte Klimaziele für Ihre Lieferkette fest, die mit den Ergebnissen der Klimaforschung übereinstimmen und das Pariser Klimaabkommen (Beschränkung der Erderwärmung auf 1,5 °C) unterstützen. Branchenspezifische Hilfestellungen finden Sie z.B. bei der Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Dann geht es an die eigentliche Dekarbonisierung der Lieferkette. Die SBTi empfiehlt hierzu folgendes Vorgehen:

  1. Kommunikation
  2. Zusammenarbeit
  3. Unterstützung
  4. Überwachung
  5. Verstärkung

Informieren Sie nun also Ihre Lieferanten über Ihre Klimaziele für die Lieferkette und motivieren Sie sie zur Zusammenarbeit.

Unser Tipp: Erhöhen Sie die Chance auf eine gute Zusammenarbeit, indem Sie Ihre Supplier von Anfang an in die Zielsetzung einbeziehen. Net Zero ist Teamwork!

Schritt 4: Klimastrategie implementieren

Langfristig erreichen Sie Ihre Klimaziele in der Lieferkette nur, wenn Sie dann auch weiterhin im engen Austausch bleiben und ihre Lieferanten bei der Umsetzung der Ziele unterstützen.

Das könnte z.B. so aussehen:

  • Spezifische Maßnahmen durchsetzen – Walmart hat seine Lieferanten etwa beim Umstieg auf erneuerbare Energien unterstützt, was dazu beitrug, dass der Konzern seine Supply-Chain-Emissionsziele 6 Jahre früher als geplant erreichte.
  • Mit Wissen oder Ressourcen supporten – steigern Sie bspw. durch Schulungen das Nachhaltigkeits-Know-how und somit auch den Klimareifegrad Ihrer Lieferanten.
  • Wettbewerb unter den Lieferanten anregen – 2024 werden laut einer BDC-Studie 92 % der Unternehmen ESG-Daten von ihren Lieferanten verlangen; in den kommenden 5 Jahren werden sie außerdem die Anzahl der Kriterien erhöhen, zu denen Lieferanten berichten müssen.

Helfen Sie Ihren Lieferanten auch, Prozesse zu optimieren oder gar komplett neue Wege zu gehen. Überprüfen Sie kontinuierlich den Fortschritt und machen Sie die Klimaziele zum festen Punkt auf der Agenda Ihrer Lieferantengespräche.

Denn echte Nachhaltigkeit braucht einerseits Transparenz und Ehrlichkeit. Aber sie braucht auch Konsequenz. Geben Sie Ihren Lieferanten also auch zu verstehen: Wer nicht mitmacht, fliegt über kurz oder lang raus. Besonders Lieferanten mit geringem Reifegrad werden nicht von heute auf morgen umsteigen können. Dennoch sollten sie langfristig den Willen zeigen, Produktion und Transport nachhaltig zu gestalten. Schließlich hilft das nicht nur dem Klima – sondern auch der eigenen Unternehmensresilienz.

Wie kann ich die Klimaziele für meine Lieferkette möglichst einfach erreichen?

Je komplexer Ihre Lieferkette ist, desto schwieriger ist es auch, alle notwendigen Daten zu sammeln, den Status quo zu ermitteln und den Fortschritt zu überwachen. In Gesprächen zeigt sich unseren Supply-Chain-Consultants immer wieder: Fehlende Ressourcen und umherfliegende, lückenhafte Daten machen dem Einkauf das Leben schwer.

Wie erreichen Sie Ihre Klimaziele in der Lieferkette also möglichst einfach und automatisiert? Mit den richtigen Tools! Die Kombination von VERSO Climate Hub und VERSO Supply Chain Hub hilft Ihnen beim strategischen Management Ihrer Klimaziele nach SBTi oder ESRS:

  • Der VERSO Climate Hub vereinfacht Ihnen die Berechnung Ihres CO2-Fußabdrucks unter Berücksichtigung der einzelnen Scopes.
  • Mit dem VERSO Supply Chain Hub können Sie den Klimaschutz-Reifegrad Ihrer Lieferanten automatisiert abfragen und spezifische CO2-Fußabdrücke einholen. Diese wiederum helfen Ihnen, Ihre Klimastrategie im Climate Hub zu verfeinern und Einsparungen transparent zu machen.
  • Mit der Reporting-Funktion erstellen Sie anschließend im Handumdrehen qualifizierte Berichte gemäß GRI/CSRD für das CDP oder die SBTi.
Übersicht: So gelingt die Lieferketten-Dekarbonisierung mit den Tools von VERSO. VERSO deckt die Scope-3-Priorisierung, die Klimadatenerfassung, die Maßnahmen und das Klimareporting für die Lieferkette ab.

Schreiben Sie uns. Gemeinsam finden wir eine Lösung, damit Ihr Unternehmen seine Net-Zero-Ziele erreicht!

Supply-Chain-Team kontaktieren

* Bei diesen Informationen handelt es sich um redaktionell zusammengefassten Content, der nicht als Rechtsberatung zu verstehen ist. VERSO übernimmt keine Haftung. 

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Stakeholder-Anforderungen von ESG-Informationen an KMU
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5 Gründe, warum sich ein Nachhaltigkeitsbericht auch für KMU lohnt

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Klaus Wiesen, Head of Sustainable Supply Chains bei VERSO
05.01.2023

Bedeutung und Zukunft nachhaltiger Lieferketten: Interview mit Klaus Wiesen

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