CSR approach: 7 steps for effective implementation
Implementing a CSR approach is a major challenge for organizations in the face of growing environmental and societal challenges. But how can you get involved in concrete terms? How can you define a coherent and effective CSR strategy? How can you implement it and measure its impacts? Follow these 7 steps to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future.
1. Understand the challenges of CSR
Before embarking on the implementation of a CSR approach, it is essential to understand its fundamental issues and principles. Frameworks such as ISO26000 , the Sustainable Development Goals or the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) are key tools for understanding your most important issues.
Next, it is essential to consider the expectations of stakeholders, such as customers, employees, investors and local communities. To do this , start by identifying your organization's stakeholders and mapping them out by defining their level of interest and power over the company's decisions.
Here is an overview of the penant parts:
Finally, prioritize your CSR issues. This analysis allows you to highlight the priority issues for you and for the company's stakeholders. This information is used to develop a materiality matrix that allows you to guide your CSR approach in a targeted manner.
If you are subject to the CSRD , your analysis must take into account two aspects. On the one hand, there is the impact of your company on its environment and its stakeholders. On the other hand, you must take into account the risks and opportunities for your company of CSR issues. This is called double materiality.
2. Identify the impacts of the business
Once your company's CSR issues have been clearly identified, it is necessary to quantify their impacts . This step allows you to identify the priority areas on which the company must focus to improve its sustainable performance. This involves both limiting negative impacts and increasing positive impacts.
Focus on the most significant impacts in terms of value , even if the actions to be implemented are more complex. For example, in terms of carbon impact, employees' travel in combustion-engine cars or planes probably has a greater impact than turning off screens in the evening.
3. Define ambitious and SMART CSR objectives
Based on the impact analysis, it is important to define specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound ( SMART ) CSR objectives. These objectives must be ambitious, achievable and reflect the company's commitment to contributing to sustainable development.
Thus, an emissions reduction target of 3,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, out of a total of 20,000 tonnes, measured on the 3 scopes of the carbon footprint, is a SMART target. It clearly indicates the impact of the company's commitment. Conversely, we have often seen in sustainability reports, a commitment to reduce "by 10%", without specifying the scopes (or on restricted bases, such as scopes 1 & 2), nor the initial impact. This type of indicator is more greenwashing than commitment, and tells us nothing about the company's impact...
Again, if you are subject to the CSRD, your objectives are part of the elements to be included in your reporting. In the following years, the achievement of these objectives will be verified as part of the audit, so be careful not to propose unrealistic objectives, while being ambitious enough to stand out from your competitors!
4. Develop a concrete action plan for your CSR approach
To achieve CSR goals, it is necessary to develop a detailed action plan. This plan should define the specific actions that will be implemented, the resources needed, responsibilities and deadlines. It is important to ensure that the action plan is consistent with the company's overall strategy and is aligned with stakeholder priorities.
5. CSR approach: implement and monitor actions
Once the action plan has been defined, it is crucial to implement it effectively. This involves mobilizing all of the company's employees and regularly communicating on the progress made . It is also important to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of CSR actions and identify areas for improvement.
6. Communicate and report
Communication is essential for the success of a CSR approach. It is important to communicate the company's CSR commitments to all stakeholders, both internally and externally. This can be done through CSR reports, publications on the company's website or participation in CSR-related events.
7. Continuously improve
A CSR approach is a journey, not a destination. It is important to engage in a process of continuous improvement and to demonstrate transparency and accountability towards its stakeholders.
This is a long-term commitment. It is important to define new objectives and update the action plan according to the needs and expectations of stakeholders and review the company's CSR approach if necessary.
Article produced in collaboration with Bineta Coulibali, junior CSR Offer consultant at Cegos.
Written by:
Carole Deschaintre