ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) represents a set of criteria that assesses how companies or organizations impact and manage environmental, social and governance issues. It is important to understand that ESG and sustainability are closely linked and complement each other. While ESG serves as a methodology to operate and measure sustainability, sustainability represents the vision and values that ESG seeks to support and promote.
An example of this connection is evident in the new EU requirements for disclosing compliance with ESG standards that will be introduced through the upcoming EU's Sustainable Corporate Reporting Directive(CSRD) from 2024. This directive requires large companies in the EU (with over 500 employees) to report on their actual or potential negative impacts on their workforce in relation to equality and opportunity. This involves collecting and monitoring diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) data.
The "S" in ESG is particularly worth highlighting as it involves collecting data or metrics that identify and address significant impacts on the company's workforce in relation to social issues.
It is important to note that existing data already collected through various company surveys such as workplace assessments (WPAs), wellbeing surveys and the like can be valuable resources in meeting these requirements and driving an effective ESG reporting process. By utilizing this data, companies can better understand their impact on their workforce and make informed decisions about their sustainability efforts.
Who should report on CSRD?
For listed companies with more than 500 employees, the new requirements apply from the financial year 2024, for listed and non-listed companies with more than 250 employees the requirements apply from the financial year 2025, while listed companies with less than 250 employees must comply from 2026.
No 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to ESG. The S in ESG
Are you unsure how your company should start collecting data on diversity and inclusion?
A temperature measurement can be the first step in getting started and ensuring relevant data for ESG reporting. Read here to learn more about what a D&I temperature measurement is, what parameters we measure and what you get out of the temperature measurement.
Typically, the overarching areas will be:
- Processes: Here the focus is on internal organizational processes and perceptions of fairness, equal treatment and equality
- Inclusion level: Here we ask about the experience of belonging, recognition, respect, collaboration and collegiality
- Discrimination and abusive behavior: This section highlights experiences with all degrees of discrimination from microaggressions to harassment and psychological work environment
- Diversity: Finally, we examine the demographics that can help segment the data
Get started with ESG
If your company needs advice on how to work data-driven with DEI, including ESG reporting? Contact us below for a no-obligation conversation:
Nikoline Nybo
Consultant
BA Anthropology and Chaos Pilot.
Experience in cultural analysis and anthropological methodology, project management and process design, organizational development and facilitation.
Louise Marie Genefke
Consultant
Cand. mag. Marketing & Communication, MA Management and External Lecturer AU.
Experience with management, talent and organizational development, facilitation and Employer Branding.
It was a good variation of theory and concrete practice, good examples of possible courses of action. It was provocative and challenging. Many felt seen and touched. Employees especially liked your engagement and energy, which made it easy to maintain attention, and one department manager said they would like to spend a whole day with you.
We have previously met many consultant types (no prejudice here 😉 ) with a high level of education who come here to teach employees and talk down to them professionally. You lifted us up, thank you for that.
- Anna Mayland Bengtsson, Senior Consultant
Throughout the process, Louise Marie and Nikoline were great at capturing the thoughts and ideas we came up with. Throughout the entire process, they were responsive to any adjustments - regardless of what strange ideas we came up with - and always managed to incorporate them into the project. Our experience of Louise Marie and Nikoline's professionalism - they know what they are talking about and are 100% in control of their professionalism and the project's goals. Nikoline and Louise Marie have a wonderful "down to earth" approach to communicating the results of the project - and a good didactic understanding of the target group to be presented and communicated to. The participants at the project presentation were enthusiastic about Nikoline and Louise Marie's professionalism and their clear answers.
- Erik Jensen, Education Consultant, Det Faglige Fællesudvalg (DFFU)
I have to honestly say that Louise Marie and Nikoline exceeded my expectations. They entered the room and the conversation about privilege, microaggressions and unconscious bias (which can be difficult) with a straightforwardness and ease that had the whole room engaged. It was clear that they have a high level of professionalism because they were able to communicate difficult concepts in a very simple way - which you can only do when it is based on a deep understanding. The points were made present and the messages understandable. As a listener, you got the feeling that they were very present and that their personality shone through. It made you want to listen - and act - on their recommendations. Their approach, presence and humor were disarming even for the critics in the room.
- Victoria Nall Kruse Vanter, Senior Strategy & Sustainability Consultant
The cooperation with Louise Marie and Nikoline has been very good. There has been a good dialogue prior to the process, where they were not only patient with us, but also good at guiding us in the right direction in relation to the many possibilities for cooperation. There was a great understanding of our project regarding a kick-off on our D&I project. Both Louise Marie and Nikoline sought to address staff questions on possible actions and solutions, with a message that words and iterations are also actions. It is clear that they are very competent and have a huge professionalism in their field. Louise Marie and Nikoline are strong communicators.
- Josefine Jarlmann, HR Specialist, Bird & Bird
Nikoline Nybo was incredibly professional and inclusive in her approach and managed to activate participants and create a space for reflection in moments that were otherwise characterised by one-way communication. Nikoline was caring and attentive in her way of dealing with both the audience and the speakers on stage and managed to create a pleasant atmosphere with room for laughter, reflection and curiosity. In a meaningful and balanced way, she brought herself and her knowledge into play, both on stage and in the run-up to. In the collaboration Nikoline was incredibly professional, listening and well prepared.
- Helena Maria Jappa Stolt, Communications Coordinator, DCI
Louise and Nikoline delivered a high quality, content packed three days learning experiences that kept us all enrapt and engaged. We all left with a deeper understanding of the topic of DE&I and how to bring it into our work, a better way to communicate between us and with the people we engage with. This was made possible by their knowledge of the topic, but also their facilitation style, their presence and earnestness.
- Student Team 27, Kaospilot
Louise Marie Genefke visited us in the Network of Owner Managers with a very competent presentation, which besides giving us knowledge about diversity and inclusion also challenged us on our own blind spots, preconceptions and biases. Louise Marie is able to get up close and personal, while remaining very respectful of the participants' worldview. This has led the group to a more nuanced understanding of the benefits of working with diversity and inclusion.
- Lene Ørnstrøm, Network Manager
The workshop we had with Nikoline and Louise Marie from Inclusify exceeded my expectations. I had high wishes for the workshop, and I was not let down. It was wonderful to witness the way they facilitate together, creating a room with honestly, trust and respect. I felt that I could ask any question without being judged. They complemented each other really well and the way they shared the speaking parts made me feel really engaged. It is also very helpful to have two so different women talk about the topic of DE&I as I felt that I got a broader understanding through their different personal experiences.
- Federico Bortoletto, Team Leader Kaospilot
The collaboration with Nikoline and Louise Marie worked very well and it was clear from the beginning that they have a great passion and expertise within their field. They are both extremely energetic about the Diversity & Inclusion agenda and they took the time to listen to our point of departure for working with this agenda. They are thorough in their work and come with great professionalism, experience and impact.
I was amazed by their vast knowledge of the topic and still it did not make me feel scared or less in my knowledge, but rather it made me want to learn more about DE&I myself. The flexibility they brought to us was another wonderful aspect that I took away from their workshop. Taking our reflections into consideration at the end of the day, and making immediate adjustments made me feel seen and heard and improved the workshop even more. I left the three days with the urge to learn more, to do more and become an active part in making a change. It also directly influenced our group work as we created a role for a person responsible of DE&I in our project.
- Student Team 27, Kaospilot
The dialogue prior to the webinar was carried by valuable sparring on both content and framework, and in the presentation itself Louise Marie really shone through, even though she was not physically present in the room. Participants in the webinar found the presentation insightful and informative, and in the subsequent evaluation several also expressed a strong desire to hear more about the work in a longer format.
I have been extremely satisfied with the cooperation with Louise Marie and Nikoline. They have shown a professionalism and responsiveness that has made me feel in very safe hands from the very beginning. These are two people with very good communication skills and an ability to make people in the room feel comfortable. Wherever we have been in the process, I have not been worried about asking stupid questions, which is impressive given the subject of diversity and inclusion is so wide-ranging and can be challenging. We've taken significant steps forward in terms of getting smarter about our work on diversity and inclusion and what actions we'll prioritize thanks to working with Inclusify.
"Having recruited people for jobs for the last 20 years, I thought I knew 'most of it', but I've been surprised at how much Louise Marie and Nikoline's work and input meant to the process. It's clearly because of their strong professional skills."
You can sense right away that Louise Marie and Nikoline know a lot about their field and have a great passion, but at the same time they are very listening and open to what you need and what the purpose of the individual event/workshop is and adapt accordingly. It gives a good sparring to get your wishes concretized and see new perspectives on what you can and should do for an event / event.
Both Nikoline and Louise Marie are very outgoing and likeable, and best of all they made sure that it was a safe space to voice ones concerns and issues. They came to the workshop with such great energy, they were very structured and they ensured that the process went well and that the end-product was usable. They have our warmest recommendations.
We must engage in open and honest conversations even if it's uncomfortable, nuanced and concerns 'emotions' and 'individual experience'. We saw huge value in this and want to personally thank you for facilitating such difficult conversations.
Louise Marie and Nikoline are really good facilitators, who are both present and personal. There is no doubt that they both have enormous knowledge in their field and they managed to pass on a large part of it without either wrapping it up in theoretical jargon or talking down to the participants. They opened up new perspectives and left participants with an awareness of where and how gender matters in their working lives - and the desire to do something about it.