The integration of sustainability into the governance structure of the company plays a central role in the long-term success of sustainability management
In corporate practice, sustainability -related matters are often spread across the entire organization due to its historical development. The first approaches to CSR commitment were usually developed as part of sponsorship activities and thus anchored in the respective departments. With the increasing importance of sustainability reporting, communication departments were also given responsibility for sustainability issues. Due to the early emergence of environmental management systems (such as ISO14001 or EMAS), quality assurance is also a frequent player in sustainability management. As a result of the current development of the Supply Chain Act, procurement is also playing an increasingly important role in this area.
The large number of building blocks and players in the area of sustainability significantly increases complexity. It is therefore necessary to establish a clear governance and management structure in order to ensure the comprehensive integration of sustainability in the company. To achieve long-term success with integration, it is not only necessary to modify most processes, but also to change the overall culture within the company. Therefore, anchoring the topic at the highest level is often a great asset to achieve success.
The different governance approaches to integrating sustainability all have their advantages and disadvantages. We would be happy to help you find the structure that is best suited to your company.
