Corporate Social Responsibility is a moving train that all companies must hurry to catch up with and hitch their wagon to it, said Christian Levesque, president of “Global Ethix”.
In today’s business world, the integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a strategic necessity and no longer just an option. Aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN and recent European directives, such as the “Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive” (Csrd), CSR is a bandwagon that all companies must hurry to follow. catch up to attach their wagon to it, said Christian Levesque, president of Global Ethix.
Levesque also explained that the implementation of the SDGs by companies requires a profound transformation of their practices, based on principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability. The new ESG-1000 standard is emerging as a key tool to guide companies and governments in the adoption of best governance, environmental and social practices, ensuring an integrated approach that meets sustainability requirements.
Sanctions and restrictions…
The European Csrd changes the situation by requiring companies to disclose not only their financial impacts, but also their environmental and social impacts. This European directive aims to establish a common standard for sustainability communication, which is crucial for the transparency and reliability of information, factors increasingly demanded by investors, consumers, and other stakeholders.
“Ignoring Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and CSR practices exposes companies to multiple significant risks. Regulatory implications can lead to sanctions and operational restrictions, while sustainability gaps can deter investors, increasing financing costs and limiting growth opportunities. Reputationally, failure to comply with ESG standards can harm the company’s image, negatively affect customer loyalty and lead to public backlash. Operationally, unsustainable practices can cause disruption and require high remediation costs. Strategically, neglecting CSR can make it difficult to adapt to market changes and limit innovation. Additionally, talent attraction and retention may be compromised, with employees preferring employers who demonstrate a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Finally, legal risks may arise, including costly litigation related to non-compliance with ESG standards, which can seriously affect the long-term stability of the company,” said Levesque.
He added that in Tunisia, “the adoption of CSR is booming. Tunisian companies recognize that sustainability can open new markets and lead to significant innovations. Many national events also highlight the importance of this approach.”
According to him, for companies still lagging behind, it is imperative to quickly develop a robust CSR strategy. Not engaging in CSR today means missing a crucial opportunity to participate in building a sustainable future and to position yourself advantageously in a global market increasingly aware of the importance of social responsibility. .
In conclusion, Levesque declared that “the CSR train has left the station and it is essential that every Tunisian company, whatever its size, does what is necessary to catch up with this movement. It’s a race not just toward compliance, but toward innovation and sustainability in a rapidly changing world. Adherence to standards such as ESG-1000 and compliance with directives such as CSRD are not only compliance tools, but vectors of transformation towards a more equitable and sustainable global economy.
