Sustainability in the boardroom: from obligation to strategic necessity.

Young Talent
The younger generations, particularly Generation Z, value sustainability and want to work at a company that takes this seriously. This is an essential fact at a time when companies are struggling to attract and retain young talent. Sustainability initiatives that make a real impact and are visible inside and outside the organisation help make this critical group of employees feel more connected to the organisation.
Responsibility of the CEO
Increasingly, we see young employees dropping out of a company when it appears that sustainability reporting is a matter for the CFO. This is signalling that it is only seen as a financial reporting obligation. They believe that within truly sustainable organisations, this should be the task of the CEO. This makes it clear that it is a strategic priority, not just a compliance issue.
Pitfall
The current political climate in the Netherlands seems to allow for a less strict approach to sustainability. However, this trap risks putting companies' futures at risk. One would do well to signal that sustainability is a core corporate value despite political shifts. Deeply integrating sustainability into business strategy is not only an ethical choice but also a business imperative. It was high time seen in the boardroom as an opportunity to grow and positively impact.