Climate & Sustainability

The transition to a sustainable society offers companies opportunities to innovate, differentiate and create (long-term) value for their stakeholders.

There are also risks. Whether it be the legislator, investors, competitors, customers or even one’s own employees, the pressure to become more sustainable is growing. As the societal urgency increases, the bar will be raised. Those who wait and see will inevitably fall behind.

Ready for the transition?

Please feel free to contact us for an exploratory discussion.

1

Sustainable strategy

Sustainability goes beyond reporting and advertising; it is at the core of business strategy. Although many companies are aware of this, sustainability is still often approached from a compliance perspective. This can come at the expense of future-proofing the strategy.

In the field of climate and sustainability, the interplay between strategy and law is increasingly significant. This necessitates looking beyond today’s obligations and anticipating the normative landscape of tomorrow.

We can help navigate the dynamic climate and sustainability context, integrate climate and sustainability goals into strategy, and align plan, practice and publication. Where appropriate, we do this with partners to help holistically secure a successful, future-proof course.

With the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), drawing up and implementing a climate transition plan will become a legal requirement. This has major implications not only for in-scope system players, but also for their supply chain partners, who must also get their act together. A robust climate strategy is increasingly part of a company’s license to operate.

Where we can assist:

  • Clarification of legal obligations and best practices regarding climate transition plans;
  • Support in preparing a credible climate transition plan, including advice regarding mitigation pathways, level of ambition, target setting, and validation (SBTi etc.);
  • Implementation strategy and governance support.

2

From Compliance to Resilience

Taking responsibility for the (potential) negative impact of business activities and supply chain is becoming increasingly important. This calls for a solid due diligence process. This will also become a legal requirement under the CSDDD. Both large and small(er) companies will have to deal with this. It is wise to start working on this in time.

Where we can assist:

  • Clarification of (national and European) legislation regarding due diligence obligations;
  • Support the development and implementation of a risk-based due diligence process (stakeholder engagement, verification, action plan, etc.);
  • Activity chain contract and relationship management.

There is a lot happening in the EU legislative arena. It can sometimes be difficult to see the forest for the trees. We can assist in identifying the relevant (legal) obligations, as part of a broader sustainability effort.

Good governance is essential to a successful sustainability transition. We can help establish governance structures that contribute to future-proof operations and the achievement of sustainability targets.

Liability law is rapidly evolving around climate and sustainability issues. What can be expected of (the management of) organizations regarding people and the environment is shifting. We also advise on liability, litigation and enforcement risks, as part of a broader sustainability effort.

What is minimally expected of (the board of) organizations in terms of people and the environment is shifting. We advise on liability, litigation and enforcement risks.

3

True Transparancy

A sustainability report will soon be mandatory for a large number of companies. Even companies that are not directly covered by the CSRD will likely still be impacted through their supply chain partners. Getting to a sound sustainability report can be a laborious and still largely new process. Moreover, it usually touches upon the company’s strategy and internal processes.

We can provide support on legal CSRD issues and collaborate with business partners and external service providers to come to a good result.

Sustainability statements are under a magnifying glass, whether in reports or advertising. This will only increase in the coming years. It is important to tell the honest story. What are the company’s opportunities and challenges in the transition to a sustainable economy? What is going well and what is not (yet) going well?

It sounds simple, but practice is full of nuances and complexities. We can help align plan, practice and publication.