������Ƶ

A Sustainability Policy outlines how an organization commits to environmental, social, and economic responsibility in its operations. Belgian companies use these policies to align with the EU Green Deal and local environmental regulations while showing stakeholders their concrete plans for reducing carbon emissions, managing resources, and supporting community development.

The policy typically sets measurable targets for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement, following Belgian federal and regional environmental standards. It serves as both a roadmap for internal teams and proof of compliance for regulators, helping organizations meet their legal obligations under frameworks like the Belgian Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence law and EU sustainability reporting requirements.

Your organization needs a Sustainability Policy when expanding operations, seeking ESG-focused investors, or preparing for mandatory sustainability reporting under Belgian and EU regulations. It's particularly crucial when bidding on public contracts in Belgium, where environmental criteria increasingly influence procurement decisions.

Many Belgian companies create or update their Sustainability Policy when facing new environmental compliance requirements, pursuing green certifications, or responding to stakeholder pressure for climate action. The policy becomes essential for businesses with more than 250 employees, who must report on their environmental impact under EU directives and Belgian implementation laws.

• Basic Sustainability Policy: Covers core environmental commitments and compliance with Belgian environmental laws - ideal for SMEs and starting points
• Comprehensive ESG Policy: Integrates environmental, social, and governance aspects with detailed KPIs and reporting structures - suited for larger corporations
• Sector-Specific Policy: Tailored to industry requirements like manufacturing, logistics, or services, addressing unique environmental impacts
• Supply Chain Sustainability Policy: Focuses on sustainable procurement and supplier requirements under Belgian due diligence laws
• Carbon Reduction Policy: Emphasizes climate targets and emissions tracking to align with EU and Belgian climate objectives

• Corporate Sustainability Officers: Lead the development and implementation of Sustainability Policies, setting targets and monitoring progress
• Board of Directors: Approve and oversee policy alignment with corporate strategy and Belgian governance requirements
• Legal Teams: Ensure compliance with EU and Belgian environmental regulations, drafting policy language
• Department Managers: Implement policy requirements within their teams and report on sustainability metrics
• External Stakeholders: Including investors, regulators, and certification bodies who review and validate policy commitments
• Supply Chain Partners: Must adhere to sustainability requirements when working with Belgian companies

• Environmental Assessment: Audit current practices and gather data on energy use, waste management, and carbon emissions
• Regulatory Review: Map applicable Belgian and EU environmental laws affecting your industry sector
• Stakeholder Input: Collect feedback from department heads and key employees on practical sustainability initiatives
• Target Setting: Define specific, measurable environmental goals aligned with Belgian climate objectives
• Resource Planning: Calculate budget and staff needs for implementing sustainability measures
• Documentation System: Set up tracking methods for environmental metrics and compliance reporting
• Draft Generation: Use our platform to create a legally-sound policy that incorporates all gathered information

• Policy Statement: Clear commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development aligned with Belgian law
• Scope and Objectives: Specific environmental targets and KPIs following EU sustainability reporting guidelines
• Legal Framework: Reference to relevant Belgian environmental laws and EU directives
• Governance Structure: Roles and responsibilities for sustainability management
• Environmental Measures: Concrete actions for waste reduction, energy efficiency, and emissions control
• Monitoring System: Procedures for tracking and reporting environmental performance
• Review Process: Timeline and method for policy updates and improvements
• Stakeholder Engagement: Procedures for communication with employees, suppliers, and regulators

A Sustainability Policy often gets confused with an Environmental Policy, but they serve different purposes in Belgian corporate governance. While both address environmental concerns, their scope and implementation differ significantly.

• Scope and Coverage: Sustainability Policies are broader, encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects of business operations. Environmental Policies focus solely on ecological impact and compliance with environmental regulations.
• Strategic Focus: Sustainability Policies outline long-term organizational transformation and stakeholder engagement, while Environmental Policies typically address immediate environmental compliance and risk management.
• Reporting Requirements: Sustainability Policies include comprehensive ESG reporting frameworks aligned with EU standards, whereas Environmental Policies mainly cover ecological metrics and compliance reporting.
• Implementation Approach: Sustainability Policies require company-wide integration across departments and supply chains, while Environmental Policies often operate within specific operational areas.