How to introduce a CSR strategy to a business

Sustainable development issues have been a key concern in recent years, and businesses have a role to play in addressing them. Environmental, social and economic commitments are needed as part of a collective effort to protect the planet and its inhabitants. But where do you start with introducing a CSR strategy to a business? Here are a few ideas.

The European Commission defines corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with staff, clients and suppliers on a voluntary basis.

The aim of a CSR strategy is to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by having a positive impact on society and the environment, and promoting sustainable development. As a business, you not only comply with social and environmental laws and regulations, but commit to going even further for the planet and its inhabitants.

Your organisation can get involved in different ways, depending on its size, industry and individual nature. Action may be financial (supporting local producers and suppliers, producing quality goods and services, etc.), social (encouraging diversity in the workplace, optimising working conditions, etc.) or environmental (reducing waste, helping the circular economy, etc.).

A sustainable development approach not only has a positive impact on society and the environment, but raises business performance.

By following a sustainable development approach, you not only contribute to the positive impact on society and the environment, but also raise your company’s performance.

Although the integration of social and environmental concerns may come at a cost, optimising resource usage and business processes, and improving your employees’ quality of life, should enable your company to increase its productivity and save money. You also present a better image and gain a stronger reputation with investors and clients.

So, how do you introduce a CSR strategy to your business?

Conduct a review

To help you determine your sustainable development objectives and implement a strategy for achieving them, you will need to see how responsible your company is: Do you sort your waste? Do you pay attention to energy use? How do you choose your staff? Do you work with suppliers who are equally committed to CSR? How do you protect your employees’ quality of life? Do you meet your tax obligations? Etc.

Start by reviewing your company’s different material challenges, i.e. the CSR themes on which it has the biggest impact through its work. Then establish your priorities: environmental protection, health and safety, consumer protection, human resource management, etc.

This review will allow you to identify areas in which you can work on improving your sustainable development approach. Just remember to check that your company meets all CSR regulations.

Involve stakeholders

For a successful transition towards a more sustainable structure, you need to involve your employees and stakeholders in your CSR strategy. Start by listing everyone linked to your company directly or indirectly: internal (directors, workers, unions, etc.) and external (clients, suppliers, associations, etc.) stakeholders.

Involve them in your strategy to make your company more responsible. You can train your staff in good CSR practice and ask them if they have any suggestions for making the business more sustainable or for their wellbeing at work. You can also survey your clients to find out their sustainable development expectations and act accordingly.

By taking into account your stakeholders’ concerns, involving them and communicating with them transparently, you make them more engaged with your company and become more attractive to them.

By taking into account your stakeholders’ concerns, involving them and communicating with them transparently, you make them more engaged with your company and become more attractive to them. By encouraging your suppliers to adopt their own CSR approach, the impact of your strategy is multiplied.

Establish a strategy

Any strategy requires an action plan to achieve its aims. Work on the basis of your review and sustainable development priorities to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals. Don’t forget to consider your stakeholders’ expectations. Then decide on concrete action to be taken, specifying which resources should be used, and then setting realistic deadlines.

Take inspiration from what the competition is doing, by identifying good practice by companies similar to your own. Here are a few examples of action you could take.

• • Socially: optimise workstations (ergonomic furniture, adequate lighting, etc.), allow work from home on certain days, provide disabled access, offer staff training, etc.
  • Environmentally: choose low energy light bulbs, turn off unused equipment at night, check building insulation, install heat pumps, switch to a green electricity supplier, draw up a waste recycling plan, provide green transport solutions, etc.
  • Economically: choose responsible local partners, ensure respect for human rights in all production processes, write a code of ethics, encourage youth and senior employment, create more sustainable products, etc.

Useful info: The Chamber of Commerce has established the Luxembourg Sustainable Business Principles to help you integrate the challenges of sustainable development into your strategy. These ten principles guide you in updating your business model while addressing the needs of different stakeholders and anticipating regulatory change.

Appoint a Head of CSR

Appoint an individual or team to assume responsibility for your company’s CSR management: implement the strategy, identify areas for improvement, mobilise the necessary resources, coordinate action, measure results and effectiveness, propose solutions for hitting targets, etc.

Useful info: the House of Training and INDR (National Institute for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility) offer a full CSR training course that includes special modules on CSR strategy as well as environmental, social and governance issues. IMS (Inspiring More Sustainability) is a non-profit that works for and with a network of Luxembourg businesses active in ESG themes. It arranges paid workshops and conferences for staff of companies belonging to this network.

It is vital that your keep track of your results and, if necessary, adapt your strategy to achieve your aims.

Evaluate and adjust the strategy

It is vital that your keep track of your results and, if necessary, adapt your strategy to achieve your aims. This will enable you to highlight areas in which you could and should improve further.

Use indicators to monitor changes in your CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, absenteeism, etc. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria can be used to analyse the effectiveness of your CSR approach and measure its sustainability.

Useful info: INDR published a CSR guide to help companies self assess their performance on 140 sustainable development topics. It also provides factsheets and support in introducing CSR to your company.

Report on results

Remember to share your CSR progress inside and outside your company. Tell your employees how the strategy is developing and use your website, social media and the press to let your stakeholders know about your vision and commitment. By doing this you showcase your teams’ work while enhancing your brand image and credibility.

However, be careful to avoid greenwashing, which means giving the impression that your company and/or products contribute more to sustainable development than they really do. Be transparent and honest with your stakeholders.

You can also show your sustainability commitment and the quality of your work with different labels: ESR – Responsible Business from INDR; SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber for responsible waste management; LuxFlag for sustainable investment products, etc.

Useful info: starting in 2025, large firms will have to product a non-financial report including their environmental, social and governance performance data, in line with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

To help you factor sustainable development issues into your business strategy, you can also call on CSR consultants or contact the House of Sustainability. This offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at guiding, informing, training and supporting entrepreneurs with their transition towards sustainability.