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What does sustainability mean for us? Successful sustainability management combines profitability with ecological responsibility and social commitment. Climate change, the scarcity of resources and disregard for social standards in the supply chain are evaluated as risks.

Why should your company care about sustainability?

Companies can advance their innovative skills through sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), thus safeguarding or even expanding their market position. Furthermore, corporate sustainability management enhances the value of the brand and its appeal for employees, clients, business partners and investors.

Compliance

Each European country has a tight set of rules and regulations on environmental protection. Compliance to these rules is assessed and enforced by local authorities, with harsh penalties in place for misbehavior. Environmental legislation differs among countries, even that many national standards and norms are based on European Union's directives. Non-member states of the EU, like Switzerland, have their own rule-sets, which are often closely aligned with the EU's. It is imperative for each company doing business in Europe to have a sustainability strategy and a clear-cut roadmap for implementation.

Opportunities

On the other hand, European sustainability standards offer a wealth of opportunities for gaining competitive advantage over peers.

• Cost cutting and tax breaks: High on the sustainability agenda are topics like energy efficiency and waste reduction. Companies benefit first from the direct savings in cost that a well-established energy and material strategy brings. Second, all European governments incentivize sustainability by tax breaks or direct subsidies that you may reap for your company

• Public Relations: Today, there is growing public awareness about sustainability. Intriguing examples are the tremendous growth rates of organic food and green power across Europe. Presenting your company’s efforts in sustainability to the public will strengthen your brand, increase customer loyalty and may set you as a benchmark in your industry

• Attraction of talent: Recruiting and keeping top-level talent is crucial for each company for ensuring constant innovation and operational excellence. Since several years, we observe the trend that high-performers are looking for value and purpose in their jobs, beyond appropriate compensation schemes. Establishing your organization as a place where sustainable values are lived will contribute to improved recruitment and retention success