ESG and sustainability

ESG becomes mandatory – because: The new EU Sustainability Directive CSRD greatly expands the previous requirements for non-financial reporting.

The German parliament will pass the implementation law in the first half of 2025. From the 2025 financial year, all companies must submit an ESG declaration on sustainability (E), social responsibility (S) and business conduct and governance (G).

Many companies are asking themselves questions:

• What do the ESG reports required by the CSRD mean for us?
• How can the requirements be implemented appropriately and efficiently?
• What structures and processes do we need?
• Do we need software, and if so, what kind?
• How can the reporting obligations be used for your own image and corporate communications?

We have developed a one-stop communication solution for the sustainability reports and ESG communication of SMEs. Together with our partner HERBSTWEST, we provide guidance in process design. We can accompany or take over the entire reporting process through to useful sustainability and ESG communication. We offer strategic, integrative and empowering ESG communication solutions.

Strategic: We combine mandatory and optional aspects in a way that takes into account the specific portfolio of products and services of SMEs, minimizes risks and exploits opportunities.

Integrative: As long-standing partners, HERBSTWEST and WeichertMehner have already worked together on several projects in a spirit of trust and for the benefit of our clients. The result is customized reporting and communication solutions.

Enabling: We always offer help for self-help. Our clients can work with our solutions after the consultation either on their own or with our support.

Our other service packages relating to ESG consulting

• ESG orientation:
  We offer you comprehensive advice on the socio-political understanding of ESG drivers – from capital markets to political developments and social trends. In this way, we create the basis for anchoring ESG requirements strategically and sustainably in your company.
• Scientific communications consultancy:
  Our expertise lies in advising on reputation-relevant ESG criteria. Together, we select the aspects that are relevant for your company and your stakeholders and specify these in terms of “dual materiality”.
• Strategic ESG positioning:
  We specifically expand your corporate positioning to include ESG-relevant topics. This includes placement on so-called “moral markets” to strengthen your brand in the context of social and ethical expectations.
• ESG market communication:
  We support you in communicating your ESG qualities convincingly to various target groups – be it strategically, operationally or through capacity building.
• ESG communication with institutional stakeholders:
  Our tailored solutions are aimed at institutional target groups in order to integrate ESG topics into your financial market communication, public affairs or CSR strategy. This will strengthen your credibility and reputation in dialog with investors, authorities and other stakeholder groups.
• Strategy development for ESG:
  We support larger companies in the development and implementation of their ESG strategy. With interactive workshops, we support you in the areas of goal setting, strategy development and evaluation of implementation.
• Orchestrating complex ESG processes:
  We focus on efficiency and precision: we coordinate all steps of your ESG reporting – from materiality analysis, ESG mapping and data collection to auditing and publication. This saves you time and money and provides you with consistent and robust ESG reporting documentation.

Our team consists of experienced and certified ESG experts. WeichertMehner offers ESG consulting and reporting as well as strategic ESG communication.

Our partner HERBSTWEST offers the conception of ESG communication and its implementation, from positioning to branding and employer branding, marketing and communication solutions such as websites and corporate publishing.

Would you like to know more? Our ESG consultant Dr. Erik Fritzsche is at your disposal.

Please feel free to make an appointment, contact us by e-mail at erik.fritzsche@weichertmehner.com or call: +49 351 50 14 02 065.

As a rule, companies do not yet have a clear idea of what they need and are often unable to launch tenders or award contracts. This is why we also offer an initial consultation service. This includes

• CheckCSRD relevance:
  Does the CSRD apply to my company, and if so, from when and with what consequences?
• Understanding CSRD:
  What is a sustainability report according to CSRD and what content will my company have to report under certain circumstances?
• Find those responsible:
  What skills and competencies does my company need and who has them today or will have them in the foreseeable future?
• Find suitable processes:
  What routines and processes are useful for setting up a CSRD reporting system in my company?
• Determine requirements and estimate costs:
  What will it take in terms of time and possibly money for external services or software to make the reporting system a success?
• Define next steps:
  What needs to be done next? And what tasks will arise before the company’s first report?

We would be happy to meet with you and advise you on any questions you may have. We would be happy to work on the topic in a joint workshop with your ESG-relevant departments.

Let us know what your concerns are. We will make you a good and quick initial consultation offer.
Then you will know what you need and what you can do without! Our ESG consultant Dr. Erik Fritzsche is at your disposal for this purpose.
Make an appointment, contact us by e-mail at erik.fritzsche@weichertmehner.com or call: +49 351 50 14 02 065.

See also our topic page with whitepaper: ESG Communication & ESG Reporting.

See also our book: Workbook Sustainability: Understanding ESG factors, mastering change, implementing CSRD.

Further services