5 reasons to start creating a sustainability report today

Climate demonstrations are increasingly dominating the news. And the climate plays an increasingly important role during the elections. You can see: focusing on sustainability is no longer optional, but absolutely necessary. We can't ignore it anymore. How about your organisation? Does your organisation commit itself to a more sustainable world? And do you also show that? In this article I will give you 5 reasons to start creating your sustainability report today.

Do you want to make the world a bit better with your organisation? Then a sustainability report is an important step forward. The report provides insight into your sustainability objectives and how you want to achieve them. And you report on the progress of these goals. Of course you also want to show improvement. The sustainability report motivates you to actually take steps to achieve your goals.

From 2024, more and more organisations will be required to produce a sustainability report in accordance with the CSRD: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The CSRD has been established by the European Commission and therefore applies to thousands of companies in the EU. But even if the CSRD obligation does not apply to you, you may still be confronted with it. The CSRD also requires organisations to report on the impact of their suppliers on the environment. Companies may turn to you for information about your impact on people and the environment. If you already have this information in your sustainability report, refer those companies to it directly.

More and more customers, both consumers and companies, want to spend their money on products or services that are produced as sustainably as possible. A transparent sustainability report ensures trust among your customers. It shows that your values reflect the values of your customers. This way you clearly distinguish yourself from competitors who do not clearly communicate their commitment to sustainability.

Job seekers also find sustainability increasingly important. The “Regeneration Rising” study by Wonderman Thompson (2021) shows that 72% of Gen Z do not want to work for an organization that does not have a good reputation for sustainability. In the same survey, 66% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials say they choose their next employer based on their sustainability goals.
So do you want to make an impression on your future employees? With a sustainability report you strengthen your position as an employer.

Is your organisation dependent on investors or sponsors? A sustainability report is also a must. With a sustainability report you show that you are transparent about your activities and impact on the environment. And it shows that you have a long-term vision. This creates confidence among investors and sponsors and makes the choice to invest in your organisation a lot easier.

A sustainability report is about your impact on society and the environment. You explain what your organisation's objectives are in the field of sustainability. You show which (interim) goals you have achieved in the past year and how you did this. You also explain what you will do in the coming year to achieve your goals.

The report is not just a collection of success stories. It is also about the objectives you have not achieved. Why didn't this work? What will you do in the coming year to improve this?

As you can see, a sustainability report contributes to several areas of your organization. From filling your vacancies to a stronger position compared to your competitors. But most importantly: it helps you achieve your sustainability goals. And thus make your positive contribution to a better world. Are you ready to make a difference too? Start your sustainability report today.