The term CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) was coined to define the actions taken by companies to meet these new challenges. In this context, the the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) strengthens transparency and reporting requirements for companies in terms of sustainability, encouraging them to adopt more responsible practices. We present here 6 examples of committed companies that have become driving forces in this transition towards a more united and sustainable world.
To find out more about these new challenges: what are the CSR challenges for companies in 2023?
What is a committed company?
These days, the number of companies declaring themselves to be "engaged" players is exploding. Yet this generic term encompasses vast and varied concepts that can be difficult to define.
A committed or responsible company is one that integrates social, environmental and ethical considerations into the development of its activities. Beyond its financial success, a committed company seeks to act by taking into account the various stakeholders (governments, media, consumers, NGOs, etc.) that make up society. Companies' societal commitments can address a wide range of issues: the environment, diversity and inclusion, the fight against social inequality, the animal cause, etc.
These are general causes, but the actions devised by committed companies will enable them to act on their own scale and according to the values that correspond to them. For example, they can put in place measures to improve the well-being of their employees at work, develop products/services that are more respectful of the environment, or support associations in a variety of ways throughout the year. Companies' commitment can therefore take the form of a wide variety of actions.
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6 examples of committed companies
Theenvironment is a subject that concerns us all, and one that is often talked about in all sectors of activity. More and more companies are committed to ecological initiatives , and we've chosen to introduce you to three of them with very different backgrounds.
Veja: sustainability at the heart of their business model
Veja is a sneaker brand that has displayed its ecological commitment since its inception. Between organic cotton, rubber of protected origin and organic traced leather, the company wishes to emphasize materials that respect the environment but also the rights of workers.
In addition to respecting the environment, Veja is also committed to respecting people, with a model based on the social economy. It is committed to paying its producers a fair wage, and works with factories that respect decent working conditions. To take things a step further, the brand also promotes social inclusion by working with logistics platforms that employ people on work reintegration schemes.
With such a business model, the Veja brand has set itself a final challenge: no budget is allocated to advertising in order to remain competitive in this ultra-competitive market. Despite all these considerations, the Veja sneaker production chain is not always exemplary, so the brand relies on transparency and posts its detailed carbon footprint on its website.
Why do we think it's cool? Without being perfect, Veja stands out for its genuine desire to decarbonize the fashion industry and expose its entire manufacturing process. An educational and transparent approach that proves to be a major asset for the brand!
Hourrail: a service for easy travel without planes or cars
After responsible products, let's move on to responsible services. Introducing Hourrail, a company that aims to change our relationship with time and travel. How do we do this? By offering vacation destinations accessible only by more sustainable means of transport.
Hourrail wants to show us that planes and cars aren't the only solutions for great experiences. By proposing travel itineraries accessible by train, boat and bicycle, this company highlights the possibilities that exist for getting around while limiting one's carbon footprint. The concept is simple: all you have to do is choose a city of departure and arrival, and the platform will suggest the best possible itinerary without cars or planes.
Why do we think it's cool? Simply because this service is simple and effective! Faced with the difficulty of finding an itinerary that is both feasible and more respectful of the environment, having a ready-made itinerary with tips on how to enjoy the trip is a real incentive to use this gentler form of transport.
Décathlon: the race for ecological transition
Décathlon is a company that offers sports and leisure equipment accessible to the general public. Faced with new societal challenges, Décathlon has decided to launch a transition plan between 2020 and 2026 based on 3 main objectives: developing people, preserving nature and creating sustainable value.
On the social front, the company asserts that it monitors the working conditions of its suppliers' employees and implements sports support projects to encourage social and professional integration.
💡 To find out more, read our article on inclusion through sport!
On the environmental front, this sports equipment distributor is committed on several levels. By the end of 2022, 66.5% of its products will already be repairable, 84.8% of its electricity will come from renewable sources and 23% of its products will be Ecodesigned, with the aim of reaching 100% by 2026. The group has also entered the second-hand market, and now offers second-hand Decathlon products for resale. Finally, in a more global vision, the company aims to reduce its CO2 emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Why do we think it's cool? It doesn't matter what size your company or what sector you're in, you can go green! And Decathlon understands that you don't have to be a model student to get involved, the important thing is to improve. With a detailed ecological transition plan on their website, it's possible to see their ambitions, progress and areas for improvement. A clear strategy that we'd like to highlight today.
The three companies we have just mentioned have chosen to make a major commitment to preserving the planet. Whether sustainable development is the very essence of these companies or a new issue to be considered in their activities, the concrete actions they are taking are proof of their investment in this cause. But the environment is not the only way to get involved. Social commitment can take other forms. We'd like to introduce you to three companies that have chosen to combat social inequality by promoting inclusion and diversity.
Café Joyeux: a business that repairs professional inequalities
CaféJoyeux is a group of cafés-restaurants that was born out of the realization of a social inequality: people with mental disabilities are two to three times more affected by unemployment than the rest of the population. The company has therefore set itself the goal of hiring and training people with mental and cognitive disabilities.
Beyond the professional aspect, Café Joyeux seeks to create social links between people with disabilities and the rest of the population. The benefits for employees are numerous: greater autonomy, social reintegration, financial stability and self-confidence. Thanks to their employment, people with disabilities have the opportunity to return to a "normal" life in society. Through its mission, Café Joyeux highlights the strength of diversity in our economic model.
Why do we think it's cool? Starting from an observation of inequality and building a whole business model around it to break the codes: it's a very committed project that we can only endorse!
Pierre et Vacances: 360° support fornonprofit LÉA
Pierre et Vacances is a company dedicated to the rental of seaside, mountain and ski vacation accommodation in France and Europe. The Pierre et Vacances Foundation has decided to make a commitment tononprofit LÉA and to provide 360° support by subscribing to the Wenabi solidarity platform. Support is provided on three levels: financial, material and professional skills. nonprofit LÉA's mission is to accompany sick children and/or those with disorders or disabilities throughout their healthcare journey, and to support their families.
Since 2021, this partnership developed via our solutions has enabled seven solidarity projects to come into being. The missions carried out by employees are varied and range from organizing rest stays for families fromnonprofit on one of Pierre et Vacances' sites to organizing a toy drive for children at Christmas. To date, 164 employees have worked for LÉA, contributing a total of 434 hours tononprofit.
Why do we think it's cool? Pierre et Vacances has succeeded in focusing its commitment on a single cause: supporting sick children and their families. This centralized involvement maximizes its impact, and it's a project that makes sense!
Covivio: working for equal opportunities
Covivio is a European real estate operator that created its foundation in 2020 to set up projects that contribute to greater equality of opportunity. With Wenabi's solidarity commitment platform, Covivio has chosen to support 16 associations in its countries of operation in France, Italy and Germany. The aim? For all employees to be able to support a cause that corresponds to them by donating 8 hours a year of their working time to a nonprofit. To reinforce its impact, the company also organizes an annual solidarity week in September called "SoCovivio Week", enabling everyone to get involved over a longer period of time.
This program has already enabled 1,000 hours of commitment to associations in 3 years. Thanks to our solutions, Covivio has been able to implement a number of initiatives, including: the provision of logistics space tononprofit La Cravate Solidaire to sort and store clothing in optimal conditions, a project to refresh the premises of several schools in Rome and Milan, workshops to prepare meals for refugees in Paris, and the renovation of a youth reception center in Milan (tidying, painting, cleaning).
Why do we think it's cool? The idea of a solidarity week is perfect for mobilizing as many employees as possible! It's a strategy that works.
To combat social inequalities, these three companies have relied heavily on the strength of their human capital. Motivated employees are essential to the success of a solidarity program. The most important thing to make your project work is to support it and communicate with your employees to encourage them to get involved in the cause.
To help you motivate your teams, you can also consult these articles:
- 10 solidarity actions to get your employees involved in a CSR approach
- 5 tips for improving quality of life at work
- 10 examples of skills sponsorship projects you can carry out with your company
Things to remember
Two causes, yet 6 very different paths. Proof that each company has its own identity and therefore its own way of getting involved. Whatever your company's sector of activity, a commitment program needs to be built and structured over the long term. To do this, it's important to draw up a roadmap of projects to be developed around the chosen cause, with precise impact objectives to be achieved.
Becoming a committed company takes time, but this investment is a real plus for your organization! Not only does it demonstrate your company's commitment to CSR issues, it also strengthens your employees' sense of belonging and enhances their well-being at work.
Not sure where to start? You can consult our Guide to helping associations as a company and/or request a demo of our solidarity commitment platform!
With the emergence of new social and environmental issues, the role of companies has evolved considerably in our society. Much more than mere economic players, they are becoming true spokespeople for the values of a rapidly changing world.
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