Sustainable development: we talk a lot about it, but do we really do anything about it?
This concept, popularized in the 1990s following the release of the Brundland Report for the UN, has infiltrated the world of business and local authorities, becoming the foundation of what is today known as social responsibility and extra-financial reporting. It also fully echoes the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals formalized by the UN in 2015, a major program of cross-cutting actions embodied, in previous decades, by Agendas 21 (1992) and the Millennium Goals (2000).
Literally, sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves a holistic approach, divided into three pillars: an economic pillar, a social pillar and an environmental pillar. As you can see, there are many concepts that fit into this vast envelope, such as the circular economy, biodiversity, social finance, smart cities, and so on.
How do you go about it without forgetting anything? For the sustainable development or CSR manager in you, the AFNOR group has a range of tools to support you, so that you can build a solid sustainable development policy, monitor it over time, increase your skills, and have your commitments recognized with the right distinctive signs.
In our dossier, discover the tools and best practices for deploying an effective sustainable development policy.
1- Building a sustainable development policy in line with ISO 26000
1-1 ISO 26000: a 7-pillar approach to sustainable development
ISO 26000, with its 7-pillar approach, is the ideal tool for framing your sustainable development policy without leaving anything out.
1-2 Targeting the SDGs and building your extra-financial reporting
The ISO 26000 standard enables you to align your sustainable development approach with the Sustainable Development Goals, and to build up your extra-financial reporting.
1-3 Self-assess and certify your ISO 26000 approach
An SD approach based on ISO 26000 aims for continuous improvement. Self-assess and be recognized with the Engagé RSE label and Diag RSE online.
1-4 Adapting ISO 26000 to your sector and activity
Use the universal ISO 26000 matrix as a starting point to tailor your sustainable development approach to your sector and obtain a customized label.
2 - Structuring a circular economy project
2-1 Implementing and evaluating a circular economy project
With the voluntary XP X30-901 standard and the AFAQ Circular Economy assessment, your company is well equipped to migrate towards the circular economy.
2-2 Training for careers in the circular economy
AFNOR Compétences offers a range of continuing training courses to help you become the contact person for circular economy issues within your company.
2-3 Combining the circular economy and eco-design
Eco-design is one of the 7 facets of the circular economy. This approach is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The AFNOR group can help you.
2-4 Show your commitment to reducing food waste
AFNOR Certification awards the Anti-Food Waste label, provided for in the AGEC law, to retailers committed to this fight.
3 - Promoting responsible investment and green finance
3-1 Defining the vocabulary of SRI and green finance
Together with professionals, AFNOR is developing standards to better understand the concepts of green, climate, solidarity, sustainable and responsible finance.
3-2 Becoming a certified SRI fund manager
AFNOR Certification offers the Greenfin and SRI labels to show that your funds support the ecological transition or are socially responsible.
3-3 Get recognition for your green funds with the Greenfin label
AFNOR Certification offers the Greenfin label, formerly known as TEEC, to indicate that your funds are financing ecological transition activities.
4 - Working for sustainable cities, biodiversity and ecological transition
4-1 Equipping your community to become a smart city
Sustainable development also applies to local communities. Voluntary ISO standards provide a framework for the smart city concept.
4-2 Demonstrating your commitment to biodiversity
To preserve biodiversity, we need a common vocabulary and an objective label to highlight our commitment: AFAQ Biodiversité.
4-3 Combining energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions
Every SD approach has an energy component. Voluntary standards and certifications exist to support your energy management system.
