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You’ll then get advice on improving your environmental and social impact as well as your governance methods. You’ll have access to a range of tools, useful information and examples of other businesses to inspire you.
This analysis will allow you to assess the progress of your sustainability strategy.
Let’s start off the analysis with the first pillar of sustainability: the environment.
Every business, whatever its size or sector of activity, has an impact on the environment. This impact is largely the result of energy consumption, mobility, resources and waste management and digital technology. Let’s explore how your business manages these aspects and could further reduce its environmental footprint.
CONSCIENT conçoit et produit localement les premières peintures circulaires à base d’amidon sans dioxyde de titane et sans conservateurs allergènes.
In Brussels, most energy comes from fossil fuels, which contributes to global warming. The BCR is aiming to reduce its GHG emissions by 40% by 2030. Renewable, or green, energy comes from sources that have no impact on health or environmental pollution.
Src: Bruxelles Environnement
INFO Information will be displayed in this insert throughout the test. It is only here to help you understand the questions.
Did you know that the main greenhouse gas emitted in Brussels is CO2 (or carbon dioxide)? It mainly comes from heating buildings (offices and housing) (56%) and from road transport (24%).
(Src: Bruxelles Environnement)
As a business, you can implement actions promoting mobility and less polluting logistics that are aimed at staff (mileage allowances for pedestrians and cyclists, etc.), customers (installation of bicycle parking, etc.), and suppliers (partnerships with cyclo-logistics companies, etc.).
L’enjeu de l’économie circulaire est de diminuer son impact négatif sur l’environnement en créant le moins de déchets possible. Il s’agit donc de se questionner sur l’utilisation des ressources. Le principe est simple: tenter d’utiliser le moins possible de matières ou ressources vierges tout en étant le plus efficace et performant possible.
Source: SPF Economie - devenircirculaire.be
The challenge of the circular economy is to reduce its negative impact on the environment by creating as little waste as possible. This means looking at how resources are used. The principle is simple: try to use as few virgin materials or resources as possible while being as efficient and effective as possible.
Eco-design takes into account the environmental impact of the product throughout its life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to its disposal at the end of its life. With eco-design, the business allows customers to use their products for longer.
Konligo designs sustainable, reusable pop-up structures built from recycled aluminum and assembled in Brussels.
They are reusable, highly compact and quick to set up.
Extending the lifespan of your IT equipment allows you to reduce your investment costs! Find advice on the environmental impact in our recommendations at the end of this test.
Let’s move on to the social factors, which are essential to building a sustainable organisation.
The working environment is a key element of well-being within the business. It involves aspects linked to health and safety at work, diversity and inclusion as well as skills development.
You can also have a positive impact on society, whether through the creation of employment for people excluded from the job market or the accessibility of your products/services to a wider audience. Let’s see how your business is involved in these various issues.
Since 2021, Les Ateliers de la rue Voot has been reconditioning end-of-life bicycles in order to offer them for social leasing.
A diversity policy enables a business to reflect the diversity that exists within society and your potential customers (gender, sex, ethnic origin, disabilities, etc.). Inclusion means fully integrating a person into a group as an individual and taking into account their unique characteristics.
Gender equality in business is based on the principle that all people, regardless of their gender, must have equal access to professional opportunities, to training and to responsibilities within the business.
Thinking about the accessibility of your product/service involves taking into account the diversity of your customers and the business, and as a result, taking action for a more inclusive society.
The employment of people who are excluded from the job market involves providing employment opportunities and training as well as personalised support to people experiencing difficulties in integrating themselves into the job market for the long term. This includes the following mechanisms: Activa, Articles 60, CS, individual professional training, sandwich courses, Stage First, DiES.
The terms “health” and “safety” refer to ensuring that staff can work in safe, secure working conditions; taking care of their physical and mental health; and providing a caring and peaceful environment.
Well-being at work involves creating a welcoming and fulfilling environment, promoting the sustainable involvement of staff and a better work-life balance.
In-house training helps to maintain and develop staff skills, consistent with technological developments and innovative professional practices.
By allocating financial resources and time to individual and group training, you will be participating in the empowerment, stimulation and development of your staff.
Considering the social impact of your products and services aims to measure their effects beyond solely economic criteria. This allows you to increase the benefits for the population in terms of health, well-being, housing, employment, social cohesion, etc.
Good corporate governance is essential to guarantee transparency, efficient decision-making processes and respect for the interests of all stakeholders.
With these few questions, let’s see how your business manages these aspects on a daily basis.
CoHop is a cooperative of microbreweries in Brussels. This shared, eco-responsible brewery offers craft beers with a positive social impact, while sharing brewing equipment, skills, a brewpub and a sandwich shop.
Governance refers to the rules and practices put in place to manage and organise your business. It also defines how you make important decisions. The challenge of good governance is to make your business more transparent, participatory, ethical and resilient.
Democratic governance aims to base decision-making processes on the principles of democracy, i.e. “one person = one vote”, unlike decisions made based on capital ownership.
Since 2024, holding certain labels allows businesses to be recognised as socially and/or environmentally “exemplary” and to benefit from financial advantages. For example: Ecodynamic Organisation, Good Food Resto, BCorporation, Recognition of craftsmanship, Cooperative Company (CNC), Social and Democratic Enterprise certification, etc. Find all the labels on the “Bruxelles Economie et Emploi” website.Â
The Sustainable Development Goals “SDGs” are a call to action from the United Nation to promote sustainable development on a global scale. It involves meeting basic human needs and ensuring environmental protection, while combating global warming.
Did you know that the European directive governing sustainable development reports (CSRD) places great importance on the selection of suppliers and partners?
Find out more information on this topic in our recommendations following this test.
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