Walk the talk: Dutch and Italian Corporate Sustainability strategies and the new european CSRD

Last November 7th in Rimini an important discussion took place between Italy and the Netherlands on the topic of integrating sustainability into business models in the context of the implementation of the CSRD and other recent European directives on sustainable development. Declared objective of the event: to establish a dialogue between companies from the two countries so as to exchange points of view and advice on the implementation of ESG strategies, as well as strengthen the collaboration between the two member states, as encouraged by the European Union in the process of complying with directives and regulations .

The exchange took place as part of the 12th edition of the States General of the Green Economy, promoted by the National Council of the Green Economy (currently composed of 66 business organizations operating in Italy), during the thematic session “Walk the talk: Dutch and Italian Corporate Sustainability strategies and the new European CSRD”. During the conference spoke prominent individuals such as Marina Silverii, operational director of Art-ER (a consortium company from Emilia Romagna aimed at promoting sustainable growth in the region), and Pauline Diepenbroek, Dutch Deputy Ambassador, who presented the Sustainability Strategy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Notably a great contribution to the debate was given by Lorenzo Radice, Sustainability Manager of the Ferrovie dello Stato (Railway of the State), who brought to the attention of those present an excellent example of a company of the future.

In his speech Radice exposed the 2023-2033 ten-year strategic plan for the sustainable development of Italian railways, within the framework of achieving the set objective of “0 Net Emissions” by 2040. Said strategy develops on 5 main points: safety, climate change mitigation, circular economy, focus on the supply chain and employee valorization. Specifically, Radice has declared two impimporta goals that the Ferrovie dello Stato intend to achieve in the coming years: a 100% circularity of the waste produced by 2026, and the increase in the presence of women in management positions to exceed 37% by 2032. This and other stimulating interventions have certainly provided fruitful ideas for Italian and Dutch entrepreneurs to implement sustainability strategies into their companies.

Events of this kind are fundamental to foster the cooperation between states in pursuing objectives central to the mission of the European Union, such as the achievement of sustainable development based on a highly competitive market economy, characterized by full employment and social progress, and the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment.

Bibliography

General States of the Green Economy
https://www.statigenerali.org/2023/10/csrd-europea-italia-olanda-in-prima-linea-sostenibilita-aziendale/

FS News
https://www.fsnews.it/it/focus-on/sostenibilita/2023/11/7/sostenibilita-aziendale–italia-e-oland a-in-prima-linea.htm