“Roadmap to a sustainable business model”

What are CSR Ateliers?

The CSR Ateliers will take place in the framework of the implementation of the CSR HELLAS initiative “Hellenic Pact for Sustainable Industry” (P4SI-EL). These are workshops for consultation, innovation, training and partnership. During the CSR Ateliers, executives of the pioneering companies of Axis I of the P4SI-EL, coming from a wide range of departments (indicatively CSR, sustainability, procurement, HR, finance, etc. ) will have the opportunity to discuss, with executives of other pioneering companies, on specific commonly recognised material issues related to corporate sustainability and responsibility, and at the same time to exchange experiences and concerns about their approaches, the challenges they face and the good and innovative practices related to the transition to the new sustainable business model, as it is shaped by the new regulatory framework.

The implementation of the CSR Ateliers focuses on material sustainability issues in relation to significant challenges faced by pioneering companies in transforming their business models around the principles of sustainability, and better adapting to the upcoming regulatory framework. Through the participatory process of creative exchange of views on which the CSR Ateliers are based, the aim is to create concrete deliverables that encourage and guide companies to develop and implement corporate action plans through which to achieve optimal adaptation to the evolving regulatory framework in relation to corporate sustainability and responsibility.

Why should businesses participate in the CSR Ateliers?

As part of the European Green Deal and its climate change initiatives, the European Commission (EC) has set itself a binding target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

At the same time, with the ‘Fit for 55’ package alongside new legislative proposals and amendments to existing legislation, the EU has set an ambitious interim step towards its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

A key pillar of the “Fit for 55” package is financing a green transition, for which the EU has adopted an ambitious and comprehensive package of measures, including:

The revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), which will now be replaced by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
The new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) which incorporates elements of the Sustainable Corporate Governance (SCG) initiative
The new Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR)
The EU Taxonomy Regulation
The development of corporate sustainability reporting standards by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG)

The new measures bring significant changes for European companies, but also for all those based in the EU, whose obligations now require them to measure and disclose relevant information in a systematic and clear way. At the same time, the rights of co-shareholders to fuller and more adequate information on issues related to the transition to a new economic and business model aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and in particular the EU’s goals of full decarbonisation, maximum use of digital technology and inclusiveness are recognised.

In each specialized thematic CSR Atelier the participating business executives will have the opportunity to:

receive targeted information on the issues highlighted by the new EU Sustainable Finance Package.
acquire the necessary knowledge and develop further skills to be able to better manage the upcoming challenges and emerging opportunities related to managing the responsibility and sustainability of their companies
showcase innovation, leadership and good practices in relation to the strategic approach and operation of their business, as well as their leadership in enhancing sustainability at the level of participating sectoral bodies and professional associations
contribute to the development of partnerships between pioneering companies on commonly recognised key issues to develop better approaches to improve corporate sustainability and responsibility.

Who are the CSR Atelier’s target audiences?

The CSR Ateliers are implemented in the framework of Axis I and are addressed to executives of the pioneering companies of CSR HELLAS members participating in the P4SI-EL, such as those responsible for CSR, sustainability, procurement, human resources, finance, etc.

Which topics are covered by the CSR Ateliers?

Since CSR Ateliers are a dynamic and constantly evolving initiative, aiming to better prepare the participating companies for their adaptation to the new regulatory framework and the transition to the new sustainable business model, they can be adapted and customized according to the needs of the participating companies and the developments in the regulatory landscape.

In a pilot phase, the implementation of three thematic CSR Atelier is foreseen in 2022 under Axis I of the P4SI: