Deep Dive into CSRD: from theory to practice

Module 1 - CSRD: much more than just another reporting obligation

In this first session, we will start with a broad introduction to CSRD. How different is it from the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD)? What are your obligations? And how can you turn CSRD into a business opportunity?

Prior to commencing any reporting or analysis, CSRD mandates that companies integrate sustainability into their business strategies and map their position within the value chain(s). Discover how to embed sustainability into your company’s governance structure and how to engage with your stakeholders.

You will also get to know what information you should include in your report. The number of specific data points to report on vary for each company and are determined through a double materiality analysis. Learn how to perform such an analysis and get to understand the impact, risks and opportunities.

Program

• Introduction & Welcome
• From Non-Financial Reporting directive to Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive : CSRD as part of the EU Green Deal (Saskia Walraedt)
• Stakeholder engagement: listen & learn from your key stakeholders! (Encon)
• Double Materiality Analysis : introducing the concept (Saskia Walraedt)
• Financial risk & opportunity analysis as essential part of double materiality assessment (Moore)
• Coffee break
• Double Materiality Assessment : company testimonial by Deceuninck
• Governance aspects and third party auditing (Moore)
• Lunch

Module 2 – The environmental standards of ESRS – Part 1

Virtually no companies will escape from reporting on the climate standard. What does this mean? CSRD requires companies to report on scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Where to get started? How do you obtain data on scope 3 emissions? And how can sector-specific initiatives such as EBO or energy audits help you in your energy consumption action plans?

Another crucial standard for the industry is ESRS E2 – Pollution. One of CSRD’s objectives is to drive the transition to sustainable production and a toxic-free environment, aligning with other initiatives within the European Green Deal. It aims to promote substitution and requires reporting on the use of substances of (very high) concern.

For producers and users of plastic pellets, reporting on microplastics is another vital topic. Discover how OCS certification can help you in meeting your obligations.

Program

• Introduction & Welcome (SW)
• Unravelling the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (Saskia Walraedt)
• ESRS E1: climate change – Transforming data into real business opportunities – with case examples (Encon)
• Coffee break
• ESRS E2: pollution – Linking environmental management systems with sustainability reporting
• CSRD as a driver for substituion? (TBC)
• Reporting on microplastics : Operation Clean Sweep certification – lessons learned from a certifying body (BQA)
• Lunch

Module 3 – The environmental standards of ESRS – Part 2

In this second session on environmental standards, we’ll take a deep dive into the standards on water, biodiversity and ecosystems. We’ll exchange insights from sector-specific initiatives focused on reducing water consumption and maximizing opportunities for closed-loop water usage. Discover useful tools to reduce the impact of your company on water and marine resources.

How does your company rely on ecosystems and biodiversity, and what impact does your company have on them? Where do you begin to map these impacts, both upstream and downstream, and develop action plans? Discover how Life Cycle Analyses (LCAs) can pinpoint hot spots for biodiversity and ecosystem focus areas. Learn from peers how to use this information to ultimately achieve sustainable product portfolio management.

Program

• Introduction & Welcome (SW)
• Reporting requirements for ESRS E3: water management (Saskia Walraedt)
• Closing the water loop – return from experiences (VITO)
• Coffee break
• Introduction to ESRS E4 : biodiversity and ecosystem services (Saskia Walraedt)
• Biodiversity due diligence – Linking CSRD with CSDDD (KUL – Dpt Environmental Law)
• The growing importance of LCA in materiality analysis for biodiversity (Enperas)
• Lunch

Module 4 – The circular economy and social standards

In our final session, we will explore the standards concerning resource use and the circular economy. We’ll take a closer look at best practices for transitioning to alternative business models, sharing utilities, and options to de-fossilise. Discover the potential of innovative recycling technologies and learn how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organizations can provide insights into the end-of-life fate of your packaging materials.

CSRD not only prompts companies to trace the origins of their resources but it also may require an examination of the social standards. This means that companies may have to investigate the impacts they have on local communities and workers throughout the whole value chain. Company testimonials will provide valuable insights on how to obtain information from the value chain regarding the social aspects of sustainability.

Program

• Introduction & Welcome (SW)
• Reporting on resources and circular economy : ESRS E5 (Saskia Walraedt)
• How EPR organisation can provide you insights in recycling (Valipac)
• Company testimonial on sustainable resource management (TBC)
• Coffee break
• Social standards own workforce (Moore)
• The social standards in the value chain (Moore)
• Company testimonial (TBC)
• Lunch