Ximena Wolfensberger’s Post

Some impressions from The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce 2024 Sustainable Business Summit yesterday (https://lnkd.in/eszuGcQq): In no uncertain terms, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)'s interim CEO Lindsay Hooper laid out the existential crisis we face, with #biodiversity loss and #ecosystem collapse recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the greatest #risks facing humanity in the near term. #Business activities are one of the main #drivers of nature loss, including changes in #land, #water and #sea #use; natural #resource #exploitation; and #climate change and #pollution (https://lnkd.in/eQS2dwXe). At the same time, nature loss poses a stark #threat to economies: "More than half of global GDP is exposed to material nature risk without immediate action", finds PwC (https://lnkd.in/e-7VbKnH). The subsequent panels showcased some great initiative, e.g., Chris Hogg of Nestlé, one of the pilot companies for the Science Based Targets Network's new targets for nature, and Emilie Shaw MCSI, who explained how Schroders pushes for a stop to global #deforestation by committing to "Eliminate exposure to commodity-driven deforestation in the companies held in the investment portfolios we manage by 2025", and gave insight into the engagement process which will, as she stated, result in the elimination of uncooperative companies from the portfolio as of next year.  (https://lnkd.in/eD6Ac9fw) "You can't do business on a dead planet" was the catchphrase that widened the circle of elimination, repeated by Innovate 4 Nature's Dr. Philipp Staudacher, who will soon present the 150 contenders chosen for The Innovate 4 Nature Award (https://i4n.ch/i4n-award/). Bcomp Ltd's Christian Fischer, MeduSoil Ltd's Dimitrios Terzis and Nala Earth's Nick Zumbühl talked about their #solutions, showcasing both the multiple facets of the #impacts we already experience and the diverse set of #solutions it will take to avert worse, from #technology to assemble and analyze relevant #data to protecting critical #infrastructure. An inspiring #scientific input came from European Space Agency - ESA's Francesca Elisa Leonelli, who is an Earth Observation Green Transition Data Application Scientist. Call me biased, but science rocks! Particularly when pushing for actionable results and participating in events like this to connect with "uptakers". She was, incidentally, the only one presenting slides, and focussed on pictures. The networking afterwards seemed to revert a bit into business as usual, which (IMO) points to the nature loss crisis being as yet very much poorly appreciated in its consequences, urgency and severity. In that regard, the event might have contributed more if there had been more visualization.

Europe is leading the charge on sustainable development, but how are businesses keeping up? 🌍🔋 How to enter into the CSRD?   On Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend the excellent conference organised by C3D in partnership with Deloitte on the Green Deal and more specifically on the new European sustainability standards.   It appeared clearly that CSRD is NOT just another regulation, but a transformative approach to corporate sustainability. Beyond compliance, CSRD offers a roadmap to resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.   The role of Europe in this movement cannot be understated. With its extraterritorial vision, the continent is not just setting standards for itself but is also influencing global practices. 🌐 This leadership is pivotal, encouraging nations like India and China to develop their sustainability frameworks, thereby creating a ripple effect of environmental consciousness worldwide.   With 50,000 companies in Europe, including 6,000 in France and 11,000 in Germany, now navigating through the CSRD's ambitious agenda, it's clear: the race towards ecological transition is on. Companies will have to ensure that this journey is not just a regulatory leap but a strategic, all-hands-on-deck endeavor towards genuine sustainability. 🤔   Let’s be clear, turning to “green” will require huge investments, in many areas. Initially, acquiring accurate data, reporting, and unifying Key Performance Indicators will necessitate substantial investments in information systems. Moreover, embedding sustainability across all stakeholder groups, especially enhancing employee skills in sustainable practices, is crucial. For these reasons, it’s also essential to align the Budgeting process with the Sustainability requirements!   The question then is not if, but how swiftly we can integrate these practices to not just meet, but lead the green revolution. 🚀🌿 #CSRD #Sustainability #Innovation #EuropeanLeadership" #C3D Fabrice Bonnifet Deloitte

Sustainable initiatives implemented today may not be relevant tomorrow. With the ever changing landscape of business market, businesses needs to adapt to sustain. #msme #businesssustainability

🌍 Yesterday I had the chance to attend the fantastic Sustainable Business Summit organized by the The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce! It was inspiring to see perspectives from businesses, regulators, research institutions, consulting firms and many more, all sharing ways to elevate sustainability in industry and beyond! 🌟 #sustainability #business #supplychain #riskmanagement #innovation

🌍 What does it mean to be a B Corp? Becoming a Certified B Corporation signifies more than just good business; it’s a commitment to balancing purpose and profit. B Corps prioritize the well-being of people, the planet, and communities, operating with a rigorous standard of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. By choosing sustainable practices, B Corps lead the way toward a global economy that benefits everyone. They are pioneers, proving that business can be a force for good. Ready to showcase your commitment to sustainability? Register for the International Sustainability Awards (link in the first comment) and join a global community dedicated to making a difference. #isa25 #sustainability #bcorp #international #register

Without sustainability, your tender is already lost. Winning tenders now takes more than just numbers—it’s about proving your commitment to the future in multiple ways. Don't worry, we've got your back! Our training equips you to highlight your sustainable practices, helping your tender showcase your commitments to sustainability in the right way. Join our next Sustainable Business Skills workshop in December to find out how: https://lnkd.in/evhFA-rG #TenderSuccess #SustainableBusiness #WyldeConnections #FutureProofBusiness #SustainableSuccess

How do we go beyond CSRD compliance and truly merge sustainability and business? At Mission anew and ARC Arise Consulting, we have developed an approach for this: Business Materiality. In a recent breakfast seminar, Rebecka Carlsson (Sustainable Business Advisor at ARC), Gustaf Höök (Partner at Cupole), and Joel Lindefors (Senior Sustainability Strategist at Mission Anew) explored this framework, illustrating how it enables companies to: ⛓️ Identify the “sweet spot” where profitable growth has a positive sustainability impact. ⛓️ Merge high risks and best opportunities from the double materiality assessment to maximize sustainability and enterprise value. ⛓️ Translate sustainability activities into business actions and financial results, making them relevant and actionable for key stakeholders. Would you like to know more about Business Materiality and how to truly integrate your business objectives and strategies with sustainability? Don't hesitate to contact Joel Lindefors 💥 #BusinessMateriality #CSRD #doubleMateriality #sustainability

Today we are at the Reuters Events Sustainable Business Responsible Business Europe 2024 Conference. Our Executive Director Steve Kenzie is delivering a strategy keynote alongside Renata Jungo Brüngger and Eliot Whittington. ‘We do need to look at some of the incentives that are systemic right now, that are actually actively discouraging sustainable choices. I think there's much to be done by government, civil society and academia to start creating more of the conditions to enable sustainability.’ -Steve Kenzie #RBEU #CorporateSustainability

🎯 #CSRD for #Associations: 3 Insights You Can't Miss: A big thanks to Wouter Lox and William Dello Stritto for sharing their insights on the impact of the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) on EU trade associations! Here are my 3 take-aways. What are yours? 1) Double Materiality: This game-changing concept requires businesses to report on their societal impact and how sustainability influences their operations. Associations can lead the way by offering practical resources to help members adapt. 2) Ripple Effect on SMEs: While CSRD initially targets large companies, smaller businesses won't be far behind, starting in 2025. Big companies will need detailed data from their suppliers, so let's help our members get ahead of the curve with smart standards and shared best practices. 3) Opportunities for Trade Associations: We have a unique chance to shape industry-specific standards and foster peer learning. Partnering with experts like DGA Group and SUSTINERA, we're already seeing associations paving the way with sector-specific frameworks. 🌍 CSRD is a transformative force, yet it doesn't have to be daunting. With the right approach, it's a chance to highlight your association's leadership and commitment to sustainability. 💪 Let's steer our industries toward a sustainable future together! #CSRD #Sustainability #Associations #AssociationLeadership #Nonprofitleadership

🚀 Exciting insights on #CSRD for EU trade #associations! 🎉 In her video, Benita Lipps highlights how European trade associations can harness the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive to empower their members and stand out as sector thought leaders. From embracing double materiality to preparing SMEs for the ripple effects of sustainability reporting, the opportunities are immense! 👉 Check out the video and see how you can help guide your members into a sustainable future! #LeadershipSupport #CSRD #Nonprofits #Sustainability