Charlotte de Voogd’s Post

The 2025 UN Global Compact - Accenture CEO Study is not only extremely insightful but also highly encouraging, providing details on how the vast majority of companies are quietly advancing their sustainability commitments despite scaling back public messaging. Check out the full report! https://lnkd.in/gjWxHQV4

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is not just another compliance requirement, it’s a turning point for how European companies define performance, trust, and impact. In today's post, I explore five practical ways sustainability leaders can turn CSRD obligations into real strategic value: from data integration and double materiality to leadership engagement and transparent storytelling. 🎥 Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/dtHJEmaR The CSRD is a catalyst for change. Those who act early, align ESG with business strategy, and embrace transparency will lead the next generation of sustainable growth in Europe. Let’s move from compliance to leadership, and make sustainability the core of corporate success. #CSRD #ESG #SustainabilityLeadership #CorporateSustainability #EURegulation #SustainabilityReporting #ESRS #GreenTransition #ResponsibleBusiness #SustainableGrowth

Zain Group’s MSCI rating for ESG upgraded to ‘A’. Zain’s transformative ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’ strategy is driving the company’s sustainability, corporate governance and ethical leadership agenda to new heights. Upgrade reaffirms the success of the company’s focus on innovation and responsibility, powered by a resilient, sustainable and data-powered ecosystem In the environmental pillar Zain scored 10/10 – a best-in-class recognition reflecting progress on its region-wide 2050 Net Zero Emissions targets Read more: https://lnkd.in/dmg2Wivr

At Sustainability Day: Global Transitions, Ruth M., former Head of Private Sector Team at Oxfam, highlighted the urgent need for future business leaders to integrate sustainability and human rights across all operations. With global frameworks like the UNGPs and SDGs as a foundation, the session emphasized leadership, complexity, and the power of human-centered approaches to drive meaningful change. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? - Human rights are not optional! - Sustainability requires leadership that embraces complexity and policy and regulatory responses that are multi-level, multi-domain, multi-jurisdiction and highly technical - The complexity does not mean impossible if you remember to be human (human rights first) the path forward is clear.

Great to see how sustainability itself has become so "resilient"...Despite all the geopolitical difficulties and regulatory pushback, becoming a more sustainable company and responding to ESG risks is still very, very high on the agenda of CEOs. Please have a look at Accenture's UNGC-CEO Study for more insights in this so pleasant development.

Harvard Business Review provided a great study discussing changes, quiet or not, to small and large companies on climate commitments and sustainability. Depending on your source, you will most likely catch the headlines demonstrating how "The story of mass corporate retreat from sustainability is largely a mirage...The far bigger story is that 53% are holding steady and 32% are expanding their efforts." A few key take-aways from this article on corporate climate commitments: 📶 Majority of companies are holding steady or accelerating efforts. 🔈 "Greenhushing" is a new trend, where companies are working quietly. 🏋 Collective action is collapsing under pressure. ❗ Operational integration and leadership stability matter. https://lnkd.in/eKDN7t7S

𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐇𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 📈💡   At 𝐇𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲, we know that sustainability begins with awareness 🧠 and that leadership grows through learning 📚.   We're proud to share a key milestone: our team recently completed a comprehensive 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 ✅, strengthening our dedication to responsible energy practices and ethical operations. The training deeply covered the three core ESG pillars: • 1️⃣ 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥:Reducing our impact ♻️ and accelerating the transition to clean energy. • 2️⃣ 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥: Promoting inclusive, safe, and equitable workplaces for all 🤝. • 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in every decision 🧭. This initiative builds a workforce that is not only skilled but also profoundly aligned with the values shaping a sustainable future. ✨ 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫! #HEFTEnergy #ESG #Sustainability #ResponsibleEnergy #CorporateTraining #CleanEnergy #LeadershipDevelopment #EnergySector #TeamHEFT #HEFTians

The 2025 CEO study reflects on progress made and how the private sector can redefine the path forward, even in the face of global challenges. There is a strong market demand for sustainability, yet ambition outpaces organizational readiness to address the associated challenges. 🌿 Today, 88% of CEOs believe the business case for sustainability is stronger today than it was 5 years ago 💡 90% of CEOs would advise investing in sustainability initiatives with a clear business case, with 96% of CEOs say innovation and technology advancements are critical to achieving the global sustainability agenda 🤝 97% of CEOs believe industry and value chain collaboration will help drive progress over the next 25 years The next five years mark an inflection point. Amid technological disruption, geopolitical shocks, and rising stakeholder demands, leaders face a fork in the road. Now is the time to step up and accelerate sustainability progress together. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dC_5gNUb

What Makes a Great Sustainability Leader? Sustainability leadership goes beyond job titles. It’s about the mindset and actions that inspire lasting change. A great sustainability leader is someone who: 🔹 Sees the bigger picture – understands the link between people, planet, and profit, and can balance them wisely. 🔹 Acts with empathy – listens to communities, considers diverse voices, and ensures solutions leave no one behind. 🔹 Stays innovative – embraces creativity, data, and technology to solve complex environmental and social challenges. 🔹 Builds partnerships – collaborates across sectors because true impact requires collective effort. 🔹 Leads by example – walks the talk in everyday choices, inspiring others through consistency. 🔹 Keeps the future in view – makes decisions with the next generation in mind, not just immediate gains. At the heart of it, a great sustainability leader combines vision, courage, and compassion to turn challenges into opportunities for a better world. . This morning I'm urging us all to be innovative, patient, be empathetic. . And yes, I'm open to collaboration and partnership . #mondaymotivation #queenofsustainability #brahamot #ClimateAction #EcoWarrior #unnigeria #unicefnigeria #youthadvocacy #environmentalbiologist #environmentalsustainability

Is ESG really in retreat? The data says otherwise. According to new HBR research tracking 75 global companies under political pressure: 13% retreating 40% holding steady 13% reaffirming 32% accelerating 85% are sustaining or growing their efforts. The real story isn’t retreat—it’s greenhushing: progress happening quietly to avoid political risk.The danger? Silence erodes trust, weakens coalitions, and slows the systemic change business depends on. The leaders who win long-term will be those who embed sustainability into core strategy—and stay visible, even when it’s hard.#ESG #Sustainability #Leadership #ClimateActionhttps://lnkd.in/eauuwBdV