Nachhaltigkeitsmanager:innen sind gefragt – so sieht der Beruf aus

15.11.2024

Trend job sustainability manager: Skills, tasks and further training

Let’s take a closer look at this up-and-coming professional group. What are the tasks of sustainability managers, what training and further education is available and what does their day-to-day work look like?

What distinguishes sustainability managers?

Sustainability managers, also known as CSR managers, sustainability managers or ESG managers, are usually passionately committed to the topic of sustainability and have set themselves higher goals: a fairer world, environmental and climate protection. They exemplify sustainability and motivate their colleagues for ecological and social issues. At the same time, sustainability managers are confronted with the comprehensive ESG regulations. They act as business strategists and cross-functional interfaces within the company to guide it through the sustainable transformation.

Why are sustainability managers important?

In over 14 years of experience in sustainability management, we at VERSO have learned that the sustainable transformation of a company can only be achieved through an effective strategy and clear responsibilities. Why? Sustainability affects all areas of the company. That’s why someone is needed to bring it all together. Sustainability managers take on this interface function. They analyze business processes, implement sustainable business practices and aspects such as environmental protection, employee and human rights. They help medium-sized companies in particular to differentiate themselves massively from the competition. And for some years now, they have also been ensuring ESG compliance in companies. What does that mean? Sustainability managers are responsible for compliance with the CSRD and are also involved in other regulations such as EUDR, CBAM, CSDDD and LkSG, at least in a supportive capacity. They are also responsible for preparing a sustainability report, including data collection – which many companies now do in accordance with the complex CSRD. They are therefore jointly responsible for the future viability of companies – both from a sustainability and a business perspective.

How is the profession changing?

Sustainability managers often have to deliver a one-man or one-woman show. This is now slowly changing: with the well-known regulations CSRD, EUDR, CSDDD, CBAM and many other ESG-related tasks, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to build a strong sustainability team: A team that is fully committed to minimizing the company’s negative impact as far as possible, implementing sustainability campaigns and positioning the company for long-term sustainability. This is the only way for companies to survive in the long term. And not just survive: Those who take sustainability seriously can also generate real business value from it – more on this in our blog post on the opportunities of CSRD. The new and complex ESG requirements have also changed the scope of tasks and the skills required of sustainability managers. In the past it was still very much about internal communication, driving ideas for more sustainability and writing reports as a means of communication. Nowadays, ESG managers often find themselves dealing with complicated legal texts, compliance requirements and time consuming data collection. To ensure that there is still time left to implement sustainability measures, it is worth investing in ESG software such as VERSO. In any case, sustainability managers are now required to have a very broad set of hard and soft skills.

What skills do sustainability managers need?

First of all, the so-called “hard skills” – i.e. technical skills or professional competencies that can be learned and are in demand. Below is a selection of some of the skills that are becoming particularly important in view of ESG regulation:

Knowledge of sustainability reporting (e.g. CSRD, GRI, ESRS)
Understanding of regulations/legislative texts (e.g. LkSG, CSDDD, EUDR)
Data analysis and management (e.g. for measuring CO2 emissions, energy consumption)
Understanding of value creation and economic activity
Project management (planning, implementation and monitoring of sustainability projects)
Supply chain management (assessment of environmental impact, supplier selection)
Fundamentals of environmental science, sustainability concepts and ecological footprinting

Hard skills can be learned well, and further training courses such as the VERSO Academy can also provide support here. Software is also a big help for skills such as data collection, carbon footprint and supply chain management. In addition to these skills that can be learned, sustainability managers also need special interpersonal skills, the so-called “soft skills”. Among other things, these skills help to effectively implement sustainability in companies:

Empathy and social responsibility (understanding social and ethical implications)
Communication skills (convincing communication with internal and external stakeholders)
Change management (leading companies through sustainable transformation)
Problem-solving and decision-making skills (solving complex challenges)
Negotiation skills (negotiating with suppliers, partners or superiors)
Ability to work in a team and leadership skills (management of teams, cooperation across departments)
Critical and strategic thinking (developing long-term sustainability strategies)
Flexibility and willingness to learn (react to changing regulations, findings and market requirements)

What are the tasks of sustainability managers?

Sustainability managers do not have a fixed working routine. They usually juggle between data collection, coordination and writing for the ESG report and the creative and strategic development of sustainability measures. The tasks of ESG managers include:

Developing a sustainability strategy
Collecting sustainability-relevant data (especially for the CSRD report)
Defining and implementing targets and measures, monitoring target achievement using key figures
Obtain expectations and input from internal and external stakeholders
Check supply chains
Create a sustainability report
Communicate sustainability issues internally and externally (especially with marketing and management level)
Prevent Greenwashing
Advising all business divisions on sustainability
Setting an example of sustainability as well as training employees and motivating them to follow suit

How much do sustainability managers earn?

According to statistics from the German Federal Employment Agency, the salary of sustainability managers lies between €5,000 and €7,100. The average full-time gross monthly salary in Germany is €6,628. However, the salary can vary greatly – it depends in particular on the size of the company, but also on the individual’s professional experience as well as the federal state they work in. Accelerating the sustainable transformation within a company therefore does not necessarily mean having to settle for a lower salary – quite the opposite: the trend is set to intensify, as demand is extremely high while the supply of qualified sustainability experts is scarce.

How do you become a sustainability manager – what training is required?

To become a sustainability manager, you usually need a degree in a field such as sustainability management, environmental sciences or business administration with a focus on CSR. However, lateral entry is also very possible. Many ESG managers also come from the communications industry or another specialist department. With further training in sustainability management, they can often join a company’s sustainability team directly. One of such training courses is the online course “ESG Management in Practice” from the VERSO Academy. In this course you will learn about the entire sustainability management process. The topics covered in the course range from materiality analysis and sustainability strategy to climate accounting, environmental management and the supply chain through to reporting and communication. Our ESG experts provide practical examples and participants can test their new knowledge using the digital workbook.

What further training is important for sustainability managers?

With the new regulations and developments in the ESG area, it is particularly important for sustainability managers to continue educating themselves. Otherwise, topics such as CSRD, EU taxonomy or LkSG will quickly become too much for you. It is well worth your time to attend webinars and complete in-depth further training in the specific subject areas. The VERSO Academy, for example, will soon be offering a deep-dive training course on the implementation of the CSRD. You can register here to find out about it right in time for the launch. We also warmly recommend attending shorter webinars led by our topic experts, such as the one on the EUDR.

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Nuvia Maslo im neuen Kurs der VERSO Academy, Fit for Sustainability

09.07.2024

What specialists and managers should know about sustainability

ESG regulations, sanctions and real environmental threats are putting companies under increasing pressure. This means that sustainability must now be implemented in companies.

And in such a way that it does not become a bureaucratic monster. Because sustainability is not a spoilsport, but can create real business value. Read here to find out how this works and what you need to know as a specialist or manager.

Sustainability starts with specialists and managers

Sustainability ambitions must come from the management level.
Then it can create real business value with competitive advantages, cost savings and resilience.
At management level, the importance of the topic must be understood, priorities set and strategic decisions made for sustainability.
For specialists and managers, this means getting to grips with the topic of sustainability, acquiring knowledge and at least understanding the basics.
We give you 4 tips to help you successfully drive forward the sustainable transformation in your company.

4 tips for starting the sustainable transformation

1. find out about the role of companies in sustainability

Climate change is real.
The first effects are already being felt.
Extreme weather events are more extreme and occur more frequently.
There is a lot to be done to ensure that this planet remains liveable for future generations.
But what role do companies play in this?
Where are the most serious problems and how can we solve them?
You should be clear about this before you put sustainability on the agenda.
Because only then will you be able to win over your employees to the issue and only then will you have the know-how to implement measures with real impact.

2. familiarize yourself with the most important ESG regulations

With the Green Deal, the EU is bringing many laws and directives to the table that oblige companies to be more sustainable.
These include the CSRD reporting obligation, the CSDDD supply chain law and special regulations such as the EU Taxonomy, the SFDR regulation for the financial sector, the CBAM carbon border adjustment mechanism and the EUDR deforestation regulation.
In addition, there are also laws in Germany that require companies to deal with sustainability at all ESG levels, such as the German Supply Chain Act LkSG.
Of course, you don’t need to know all the directives and laws in detail.
However, an overview of the implementation deadlines, what needs to be done and which roles are required in the company is essential.

3. communicate sustainability transparently and without greenwashing

Regardless of whether you have to publish a sustainability report due to the CSRD obligation or would like to report on your sustainability activities voluntarily: Communicating sustainability is a fine line between correct and misleading.
What is communicated can quickly verge on greenwashing, and the CSRD also requires very comprehensive statements that have to be watertight.
Successful and legally compliant communication requires a good understanding of sustainability, of the company’s own activities, of sustainability communication and of the regulatory framework.

4. develop a sustainability strategy and use it to leverage potential for your company

The topic of sustainability and the associated laws and guidelines are often referred to as a “bureaucracy monster”.
But that doesn’t have to be the case: take a strategic approach to the topic and integrate sustainability firmly into your corporate strategy.
This will open up real opportunities for your company.
Because sustainable management makes your company resilient and fit for the future and opens up new business models and competitive advantages.

How do you get started? With knowledge building!

Now it’s time to get started!
At the VERSO Academy, we have the ideal course for you to gain knowledge on all these topics: You will efficiently learn everything important that specialists and managers should know about sustainability in the shortest possible time – tailored to your needs and potential.
After the training course, you can get started with the sustainable transformation straight away. Sounds good?
Get the 25 % Early bird discount – redeemable as soon as the course is bookable:

To the 25 % voucher

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

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Developed with expertise from 12+ years of sustainability management
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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:

Age
Ethnic origin & nationality
Gender & gender identity
Physical & mental abilities
Religion & worldview
Sexual orientation
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.

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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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 just implement loose measures, but rather develop a sustainability strategy – with concrete goals, measures and key figures for monitoring.

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, switching 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

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.

Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit die Kundenbindung stärkt

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

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

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CO2-Bilanz, Klimaziele, Net-Zero: Hinter all diesen Begriffen steckt die Dekarbonisierungsstrategie bzw. die Klimastrategie von Unternehmen. Die ganzheitliche Erarbeitung einer solchen Strategie hat viele Vorteile. Welche Chancen dahinter stecken, lesen Sie hier.

08.04.2024

5 advantages of a decarbonization strategy: Why it is important for companies

Carbon footprint, climate targets, net zero: behind all these terms lies the decarbonization strategy or the climate strategy of companies. The holistic development of such a strategy has many advantages. You can read about the opportunities behind it here.

Despite the Paris Climate Agreement, the Green Deal and national laws: The amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere continues to rise.
And industry is the second largest contributor to these emissions after the energy sector.
As a result, the pressure on companies to focus on their environmental performance, invest in climate protection and reduce their GHG emissions continues to grow.
You may already be facing requirements such as carbon footprinting, meeting climate targets or, more recently, a climate transition plan required by the CSRD.
All of these topics are part of the holistic climate strategy that we are talking about here.

Laut Umweltbundesamt wurden im Jahr 2023 in Deutschland die meisten Treibhausgasemissionen (CO2e) in den Sektoren Energiewirtschaft und Industrie ausgestoßen.

What is a decarbonization strategy?

A decarbonization strategy can be thought of as a cycle: It comprises six steps that you go through in sequence.
After the sixth step, you start again at number one.
With each step, you look at your challenges in more detail and continue to optimize your processes.
You can manage your goals, adapt measures, reduce emissions further and further – and get closer and closer to your Net Zero goal.
These are the 6 steps of the decarbonization strategy:

Development and recognition of challenges
Preparation of a greenhouse gas balance sheet to determine the status quo
Definition of measurable climate targets and measures
Reducing GHG emissions as far as possible
Offsetting residual emissions through certified projects from e.g. Climate Grid
Transparent communication of successes and potential for improvement

Before you go through the process for the first time, we recommend that you introduce a data and process management tool such as VERSO’s Climate Hub into your company.
Important for the decarbonization plan: The software should not only cover the calculation of the carbon footprint, but also enable proper climate management including KPI tracking, target tracking, creation of measures as well as internal and external collaboration options.

The 5 advantages of a decarbonization strategy

In 2023, the opinion research institute Forsa asked German SMEs that will fall under the new CSRD about their status quo with regard to sustainability and climate reporting: 52% are currently working on a climate strategy, 40% have already formulated a concrete strategy and 9% do not yet see a need for one.
We have here Five advantages that a climate strategy entails for your company:

1. be prepared for regulatory pressure

In Germany and the EU, the laws resulting from the European Green Deal in particular are calling on companies to decarbonize and operate in a more environmentally conscious manner.
Examples of legal requirements:

The CSRD’s ESRS E1 reporting standard alone requires an entire climate transition plan – in addition to the carbon footprint and disclosure of specific climate targets.
The CSRD is also linked to the EU taxonomy, which requires companies to disclose how sustainable their business activities are according to strict criteria.
The CBAM will be of interest to companies that import goods from non-EU countries, as the CO2 border adjustment mechanism will in future oblige companies that import emission-intensive goods to purchase certificates to offset the emissions emitted.

At the latest when your company is affected by these regulations, you should have a decarbonization plan up your sleeve – otherwise legal consequences are possible.
However, there are also advantages to starting the project before the law takes effect.
You can then pay attention to limit values and risks as early as the target setting stage, collect the data required for legal compliance during data collection and have the relevant disclosure requirements ready in the right form.
This will save you stress and you will not be surprised by requirements that you cannot fulfill.

2. avoid the risk of greenwashing accusations

Simply calling yourself “green” is a thing of the past.
With the Green Claims Directive the EU is specifying what is greenwashing and what is not.
Soon, companies will have to prove the accuracy of their environmental claims in a scientifically verified manner.
If they fail to do so, they will not only face damage to their image, but also real legal and financial consequences.
They are certainly not deliberately greenwashing – but it can easily happen unknowingly, as many greenwashing accusations originate from marketing activities that portray the company in too good a light.
This happens above all when the company’s sustainability data is not transparent.
However, transparent sustainability communication can succeed with a climate strategy: The number-based strategy, KPI tracking and carbon footprint allow you to communicate comprehensible facts, figures and targets.

3. identify the risks and potential of climate issues

A decarbonization strategy can make a significant contribution to the future viability of your company.
It reveals risks and potential. Risks By collecting detailed data, you can identify risks that often go unnoticed in day-to-day business.
How much electricity do we actually consume?
Which bottlenecks in our production lead to increased CO2 consumption?
You receive figures and comparative values for areas where there was often little clarity before.
Identifying climate risks makes your overall risk management more meaningful.
It helps you to plan more reliably and calculate costs correctly. Potentials In addition, your potentials become visible, such as the environmental commitment of your suppliers, energy savings or the use of renewable energies.
You can measure progress and see which measures may have less impact than expected and where you can actually make a difference.
Ultimately, you can also save costs and increase your efficiency.

4. advantages with stakeholders for loans, investments and tenders

If you have a decarbonization plan ready, you will make yourself popular with your stakeholders.
After all, they are increasingly asking about a company’s commitment to climate protection.
Which stakeholders are you talking about in particular?

Business partners in tenders: Other companies – especially OEMs – are also affected by statutory ESG requirements.
As a result, they naturally do not want to take on any additional risk and also pay attention to ESG criteria in tenders.
If you already have a solid decarbonization plan in place, this puts you in a better position in the tendering process.
Banks for loans: Banks also face ESG requirements.
In practice, this means that your borrowing costs also depend on your ESG rating: Better rating, cheaper loan.
And your strategy naturally has an impact on your rating.
Investors: The same applies here – investors also include ESG criteria in their investment ratings.
With a decarbonization strategy, a lot of things can be ticked off the list.
And not to forget: The strategy gives investors insights into your company’s potential and options for action.
You can authentically demonstrate how you want to ensure the future viability of your company in harmony with the environment.
Customers: 79% of consumers change their purchasing behavior based on sustainability considerations(study by Capgemini).
This means that you have a competitive advantage if you can make transparent how your company is committed to climate protection and decarbonization.
Consumers now look closely at sustainability communication and are quickly suspicious of general sustainability claims.
You score points with your climate strategy because you can also back up your communication with figures and transparently show your improvement potential and strategy.

5. strengthen supply and business relationships

Companies with which you have a business or supply relationship may also be affected by the CSRD or the German Supply Chain Act, the LkSG.
You now need ESG transparency throughout your supply chain – including climate and CO2 data.
With your climate strategy, you are already prepared for the questionnaires from your business partners.
If you have nothing to show, business relationships may be on the brink of collapse.

How VERSO supports you with your decarbonization strategy

If you want to take a strategic approach to decarbonization, we will be happy to support you: The VERSO Climate Hub, combined with the VERSO ESG Hub, enables you to achieve holistic climate management.
We are also happy to support you with our consulting team: many questions arise, especially in the first year of balancing or strategy development, and it takes some time to familiarize yourself with the topic.
We support you in integrating the processes in your company, in correctly preparing the first carbon footprint and in developing sensible targets, measures and strategies to reduce your emissions.
With this support, we enable you to subsequently implement your climate strategy on your own responsibility.
Does that sound like what you’re looking for?
Please feel free to contact us.

Please write to us.

* 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.

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.

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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CSR, ESG oder Nachhaltigkeit: Wo liegen die Unterschiede? © yunus susanto, Getty Images via canva.com

29.01.2024

CSR, ESG, sustainability – what’s the difference?

CSR, ESG, sustainability: what sounds like one and the same thing at first glance is actually different. Let’s clarify the difference between the terms “ESG”, “CSR” and “sustainability” in this article!

In this article, we compare apples with pears, which at first glance all look like apples – because we are talking about the very similar terms “CSR”, “ESG” and “sustainability”.
Read on to find out what lies behind these words and how they differ.

What does CSR mean?

You can think of “CSR” as a kind of moral, ethical basis for a company’s sustainability strategy. CSR stands for “Corporate Social Responsibility”. And although the word “social” is included here, it does not only refer to the social aspect of sustainability. CSR also refers to the environment and corporate management. You may have come across the abbreviation “CR” before – it stands for “Corporate Responsibility” and deliberately excludes “Social” to avoid confusion. CSR or CR is the precursor to ESG, so to speak. Or, to use an English expression: CSR walked so that ESG could run. The EU Commission defined CSR as follows back in 2011:

“[A] concept that serves as a basis for companies to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business activities and their interactions with stakeholders on a voluntary basis.”

To be precise, CSR primarily refers to a company’s awareness of the impact it has – actively or passively – on society and the environment. Companies meet their responsibility in terms of CSR by taking qualitative measures that go beyond the legal minimum (e.g. CSRD, LkSG).

What does ESG mean?

“ESG” is the abbreviation for “Environmental, Social, Governance”. In contrast to CSR, ESG is more of a pragmatic, detail-oriented approach to sustainability efforts. The term encompasses the impact of corporate strategy and practices on these three areas:

Environmental: Environmental criteria such as energy consumption, climate strategy or resource management
Social: Criteria relating to stakeholders (beyond investors) such as working conditions along the value chain, diversity or gender pay gap
Governance: Criteria for ethical corporate governance, such as corruption prevention, whistleblower protection or supplier selection

ESG is quantitatively oriented. For example, the ESRS, the framework for sustainability reports in accordance with the CSRD, predominantly requires clear key figures.

ESG is based on the so-called “triple bottom line”. You may be familiar with this as the “3-pillar model of sustainability” – an approach according to which sustainable development is only possible if environmental, social and economic sustainability goals are pursued on an equal footing.

So what is sustainability?

This brings us to the last point in our differentiation between ESG, CSR and sustainability.
Sustainability is an umbrella term, so to speak, for ESG and CSR.
Sustainability cannot exist without CSR and ESG.
Let’s take a little trip back to the ore mountains of the early
18th century.
In the mining region, wood was such an important resource as a fuel and building material as well as for smelting ore that it was slowly becoming scarce.
Hans Carl von Carlowitz, who was head of the Freiberg Mining Authority at the time and was responsible for the supply of wood, was the first to formulate the definition of sustainability, namely that only as many trees could be taken from the forest as would grow back.
Already in the
In the 19th century, this definition also became established in other areas.
If we look at the bigger picture, sustainability means that systems – regardless of their type – may only be stressed to the extent that they can withstand without damage.
Resources may only be used to this extent.
Today, in 2024, we are all more than aware that most of our systems have already reached their limits or are already being used far beyond their limits.
Be it overfishing or deforestation, the mining of rare earths or oil production, air pollution or the exploitation of people: We need to promote the idea of sustainability more strongly again and act now in order to create a future worth living for future generations.
When it comes to sustainability, companies have a key role to play as the implementers of consumer needs and the enablers of familiar conveniences and standards of living.
By becoming aware of their responsibility (CSR) and changing their business strategies and supply chains (ESG), they have the sustainable transformation in their hands.

Conclusion: Is ESG or CSR more important?

And finally, to answer the frequently asked question of whether ESG or CSR is more important: the two go hand in hand. However, ESG has now established itself as a common term for a comprehensive sustainability strategy. CSR represents the basic idea that is needed for the sustainable transformation of the economy: The awareness that companies bear responsibility and must act accordingly. ESG, in turn, provides opportunities for targeted action. This turns a sense of responsibility into measurable, effective actions.

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

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18.12.2023

Communicating sustainability on the website

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Individual advice from the VERSO experts
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Trusted by 250+ customers

18.12.2023

How to communicate your sustainability on the website

Your company is sustainable – but do potential customers know that? In this article, you will find 6 tips for communicating your sustainability measures credibly on your website.

More and more consumers are specifically choosing companies based on sustainability aspects – and more and more companies have to pay close attention to ensuring that everything is above board in their supply chain since the LkSG came into force.

Sustainability is increasingly becoming an important criterion when making purchasing and partnership decisions. And what better way than your own website to inform potential customers and partners about your sustainability efforts? So it’s high time to put your company’s sustainability efforts in the spotlight.

But what’s the best way to do this?

6 tips for communicating sustainability credibly on the website

Tip 1: Transparency and measurable data

Facts, facts, facts: Solid figures are still the most credible. That’s why our first tip is to provide a detailed sustainability report on your website – e.g. as a separate page or as a downloadable PDF document. The report shows existing measures, but also describes what your company will implement in the future. In addition, show prominently and separately to the report what goals you have set yourself and what measures you intend to take to achieve them. Also state openly where there is still a need for action. From 2024, the CSRD will require around 15,000 companies to publish a sustainability report anyway. However, a voluntary report is also a good thing for all companies that want to clearly show: “We take sustainability seriously!”

Tip 2: Awards from independent bodies

Has your company been certified for sustainability measures? Then be sure to place the relevant seals and certificates on your website! External confirmation of your sustainability efforts increases credibility enormously. Important here:

Don’t hide your awards in a small section on a subpage that isn’t even linked in the menu.
Whether as a banner on the homepage or as a separate menu item: If you do good, it’s okay to show it!
Look for awards from recognized, independent bodies.
Certificates and seals that any company can simply buy with enough money harbor the risk of greenwashing.

Speaking of greenwashing: you can find out how to avoid the most common stumbling blocks in the article “The five biggest greenwashing traps and how to avoid them”.

Tip 3: Present cooperations

Where do you source your raw materials or goods? Which companies do you work with – and how sustainable are they? Do you cooperate with environmental, animal welfare or human rights organizations with which your company creates impact beyond its own backyard? What projects is your company involved in? These are all interesting points that you should definitely not sweep under the carpet! Show how you are getting involved and actively shaping the change towards sustainability through your responsibility. But be careful not to fall into any greenwashing traps here either.

Tip 4: Show commitment

Was the fact that you planted a flowering meadow next to the company headquarters in 2020 the latest news in terms of sustainability? Hopefully not! If you really want to communicate your company’s sustainability credibly, you should plan for the long term – ideally on the basis of a holistic sustainability strategy. In any case, describe what your company has already achieved. List how sustainability is currently practiced. For example, through a healthy working environment for your employees or fair pay in your own supply chain. After all, sustainability is not just about the environment. But also show what you are planning for the future. Present long-term sustainability goals with clear milestones on your website. Make sustainability an integral part of your company’s purpose statement. Share progress reports. Continuity and commitment are still the best way to show that sustainability was more than just a short-term marketing measure for you.

Tip 5: Be honest

Honesty lasts the longest. This also applies to sustainability communication. No company is 100% sustainable – so don’t try to pull sustainability measures out of the air. Present your previous measures and successes, but also admit openly and honestly where there may still be a problem. This will not make you look bad – on the contrary! It shows that your company is seriously thinking about sustainability.

Tip 6: Demonstrate sustainability with a sustainable website

Last but not least, a point that is easy to forget at first glance: if you want to emphasize the sustainability of your company, you should definitely take a close look at your website! Tools such as the Website Carbon Calculator will calculate the CO2 footprint of your website in no time at all.

Is your website more of a global average? Then look out for specialists in green web design to exploit the full sustainability potential of your site.

Until then, some simple tips like these will help you to make your website more sustainable without any design or coding knowledge:

Reduce file sizes (images and videos).
Check whether your site is powered by coal – you can do this very quickly using the Green Web Foundation tool, for example. If not, switch to a web hosting provider with transparently traceable green electricity.
Design your website to be barrier-free in order to also do justice to social sustainability – a first step here would be descriptive texts for images, for example.
Take the plunge and declutter so that outdated content and superfluous tools don’t continue to waste energy for no reason.

We wish you every success – and are happy to help if you need support with your sustainability communication!

Holistic sustainability consulting

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

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Dominosteine, die beim Fallen gestoppt werden – Symbolbild für 5 Nachhaltigkeitsmaßnahmen mit echtem Impact

24.05.2023

5 sustainability measures with real impact

5 ESG measures with real impact

Many companies have already recognized that sustainability is no longer a trend, but a necessity.
Customers, investors and other stakeholders expect companies to treat their employees fairly and do their bit to protect the environment.
In short: implement ESG issues within the company.
However, instead of seeing sustainability as a sincere task, some companies unfortunately see their sustainability efforts primarily as “green” marketing.
In particular, the purchase of CO2 certificates to minimize their own CO2 footprint, which is subject to criticism, harbours the risk of greenwashing.
Measures that minimize or prevent emissions are more effective than compensating for them afterwards.
In this blog article, we present five ESG measures that have a real impact – for your sustainability and your company.

Make your business operations energy-efficient

Focus on energy efficiency to reduce your environmental footprint.
Start by developing an energy concept: examine existing lighting, heating and cooling systems in your building and look for energy efficiency labels when selecting IT hardware and other equipment.
Even with external data centers that host your software or website, for example, you can save a lot on emissions by choosing energy-efficient providers.

Adopt a circular economy approach

Design your products so that they are durable, can be repaired and recycled at the end of their life cycle.
You can introduce recycling programs for your products and inform your customers about the entire product life cycle.
Product instructions can also include repair instructions and alternative reuse options to limit the throw-away mentality.

Invest in the satisfaction of your employees

Sustainability is a multifaceted issue that is often associated with climate protection.
However, we must not neglect the social aspect.
An important component of sustainability lies in the satisfaction of the workforce, because satisfied employees who are treated fairly stay with the company longer and are more motivated.
Offer fair pay, attractive employee benefits and opportunities for further training.
A healthy work-life balance, a good error culture and opportunities for co-determination help to create a positive working environment and allow your employees to develop their full potential.
In order to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, diversity and inclusion should be part of your company’s identity and part of the recruitment process.

Optimize your supply chain

For many companies, the supply chain is a black box.
However, a sustainable supply chain is crucial to achieving your corporate ESG goals.
Choose responsible suppliers and partners who adhere to high ethical and sustainable standards.
Where possible, give preference to regional suppliers to reduce transportation distances and support the local economy.
Due to often globally networked supply chains, this is no easy task.
With the VERSO Supply Chain Hub, you can create transparency in your supply chain.

Demonstrate transparency and accountability

Talk openly about your sustainability efforts, set yourself concrete, ambitious goals and remain open to continuous improvement.
It is important to put your money where your mouth is and communicate the results transparently.
Publish your ESG data, targets and measures in a regular sustainability report to keep your stakeholders informed and document your progress. Our conclusion: Every step towards sustainability is a step in the right direction, but true sustainability requires a comprehensive rethink and the integration of sustainable principles into all aspects of the company.
Remember that sustainability is an ongoing process and take the time to evaluate and continuously improve your strategy.
The VERSO team will be happy to support you on your path to sustainability with our ESG software and advice from our sustainability experts.

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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Klaus Wiesen, Head of Sustainable Supply Chains bei VERSO

05.01.2023

The importance and future of sustainable supply chains: Interview with Klaus Wiesen

In this interview, Klaus Wiesen, Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at VERSO, answers relevant questions on the challenges and solutions for more sustainability in supply chains and the role of the supply chain in the future viability of companies.

Companies currently have to deal with several requirements. In addition to the German Supply Chain Act, the CSRD, which has been in force since 2024, is on the table, while CBAM and EUDR also pose new challenges. The CSDDD is on the horizon. In this interview, Klaus Wiesen, Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at VERSO, answers relevant questions on the challenges and solutions for more sustainability in supply chains, the role of the supply chain in the future viability of companies and how the VERSO Supply Chain Hub supports the implementation of sustainability requirements and legal requirements such as the LkSG or the CSRD now and in the future.

7 questions for Klaus Wiesen on challenges and opportunities in the supply chain

1. Why is the supply chain so important for protecting the climate and human rights?

On average, more than 80 per cent of CO2 emissions in the value chain come from the supply chain. The supply chain also plays a key role when it comes to respecting human rights and protecting biodiversity. Sustainable companies and sustainable products are only possible with a sustainable supply chain – which makes the supply chain a decisive factor for the future viability of companies.

2. What obligations do companies face with regard to their supply chains now and in the future?

The obligations are extensive. A lot has happened in terms of regulation. For example, the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) requires companies to report extensively on their commitment to sustainability, with the supply chain forming an important part of the reporting. In addition, the member states have agreed on the EU Supply Chain Act (European Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence) and the EU law to stop deforestation has been passed. Last but not least, the German Supply Chain Act, the “Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz” (LkSG), came into force on January 1, 2023. All of this ensures that companies are required to procure in a way that takes climate neutrality, environmental protection and respect for human rights fully into account. The biggest challenge for companies in fulfilling the upcoming obligations is that a supply chain cannot be made sustainable in the blink of an eye. The transition to a sustainable supply chain takes time. Accordingly, sustainable procurement cannot be achieved in a one-off project, but the path to it requires new structures within the company and continuously ties up resources. It is important that companies start early enough. Due to the current crises, however, the opposite is often the case: the issue of sustainability is put off for as long as possible. This will backfire on companies later on.

3. What are the most important steps in achieving sustainable procurement and which departments should be involved?

In purely organisational terms, purchasing should always be involved with a central function, especially as purchasing typically maintains the most intensive contact with suppliers. It is therefore important to build up sustainability expertise in purchasing – in addition to close coordination with the CSR department, if this already exists in the company. For procurement, this is an opportunity to reposition itself strategically within the company.
Transparency is also required in the supply chain: where are the suppliers’ production sites located and who is the right contact person for sustainability at suppliers? Which sustainability standards do the suppliers fulfil? And do their own suppliers in turn purchase from sustainable sources? In most cases, companies do not have the answers today.

4. How can such transparency be achieved across the supply chain?

One key to transparency is co-operation with suppliers. It is no longer just information on price or quality that needs to be obtained from suppliers. Sustainability information is also required. And not just one-off information on how risky suppliers are. A continuous assessment and development of suppliers in terms of sustainability is required. Many companies shy away from the effort involved in collecting data – for fear of high costs and negative reactions from suppliers. At VERSO, however, we see every day that the effort involved in collecting data via our cloud platform is minimal – both for our customers and for suppliers – and the feedback from suppliers is positive.

5. How does VERSO support data collection along the supply chain?

VERSO provides support at various levels: In view of the many regulatory requirements, it is very challenging for companies to define the scope of the required information. In addition, the requirements are dynamic and new laws and standards are constantly being added. Sustainability standards are currently still in their infancy. The scope of the data query must therefore be continuously supplemented or adapted. The VERSO Supply Chain Hub receives standardized self-disclosures on all relevant sustainability requirements. The questionnaires are sent automatically, data is collected and evaluated. In addition to information on which sustainability requirements a company fulfills, VERSO also helps to create transparency in the upstream supply chain. This is where the risks are sometimes greatest. If the company procures high-risk raw materials, it is essential to create transparency for the supply chains of the raw materials.

6. What opportunities does sustainable supply chain management offer, even if your own company is not affected by the LkSG?

First of all, companies that are not covered by the LkSG will most likely have to fulfil reporting obligations in accordance with the CSRD, which also applies to capital market-oriented SMEs. And the European Supply Chain Act also applies to more companies than the LkSG. But regardless of whether companies are affected by regulation or not, there are many reasons for sustainable supply chain management: I currently see the greatest opportunity in differentiating ourselves from the competition – precisely because corporate customers and consumers are paying more attention to this. In addition, the crisis has shown that companies with sustainable procurement are more resilient, meaning they have had fewer supply disruptions. And with rising CO2 prices and the planned ‘Carbon Border Tax’ (CBAM), companies that are already implementing climate targets for the supply chain will be affected by significantly lower cost increases.

7. To what extent can companies position themselves for the future with VERSO when it comes to sustainability requirements in the supply chain?

Our promise to our customers is that all sustainability requirements for the supply chain can be covered with VERSO now and in the future. The VERSO Supply Chain Hub already covers the topic of due diligence as required by the LkSG as well as climate protection and the recording of CO2 footprints, biodiversity or simply the question of where certain raw materials come from. The platform therefore offers the ideal starting point for meeting the reporting requirements of the CSRD, the EU Supply Chain Act or the EU law to stop deforestation. And, of course, to go beyond regulatory requirements and differentiate yourself from the competition.

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Pragmatic all-in-one solution for ESG reporting, climate and supply chain management
Individual advice from the VERSO experts
Developed with expertise from 12+ years of sustainability management
Trusted by 250+ customers

Trend job sustainability manager: Skills, tasks and further training

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Why is sustainability important for companies?

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What specialists and managers should know about sustainability

Sustainability starts with specialists and managers

Training tip: The new ESG course “Fit for Sustainability”

4 tips for starting the sustainable transformation

1. find out about the role of companies in sustainability

2. familiarize yourself with the most important ESG regulations

3. communicate sustainability transparently and without greenwashing

4. develop a sustainability strategy and use it to leverage potential for your company

How do you get started? With knowledge building!

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

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Diversity in companies: Why and how?

Why do companies need diversity?

Every person is different

Diversity in the company is surveyed in the ESG report

Decision support: Which ESRS data points are relevant?

Diversity in the company as a cross-section of society

Advantages of diversity in companies

7 tips for diversity in companies

1. diversity starts at the top

2. make job advertisements appealing to everyone

3. also live diversity in the recruiting process

4. create guidelines on diversity

5. offer flexible working time models

6. create a working environment in which everyone feels comfortable

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

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

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

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Sustainability ensures economic success

Practical guide to CSRD

Sustainability secures the future of companies

Stronger customer loyalty through sustainable business practices

CSRD: New requirements for sustainability reports

Sustainability – the key to motivated employees

Sustainability creates jobs

Overwhelmed by the CSRD?

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

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5 advantages of a decarbonization strategy: Why it is important for companies

What is a decarbonization strategy?

The 5 advantages of a decarbonization strategy

1. be prepared for regulatory pressure

2. avoid the risk of greenwashing accusations

Your overview of the new Green Claims Directive

3. identify the risks and potential of climate issues

4. advantages with stakeholders for loans, investments and tenders

5. strengthen supply and business relationships

How VERSO supports you with your decarbonization strategy

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