CSR Europe’s Business Manifesto 2024-2029

The CSR Europe Business Manifesto 2024-2029: Action over Ambition – Delivering a Just Industrial Transition for a Sustainable Europe 2030 advocates for a just industrial transition that leaves no one behind. The members of CSR Europe believe that this is an essential condition to achieve the goal of a sustainable Europe by 2030.

Faithful to the esteemed former European Commission President and founding father of CSR Europe, Jacques Delors, the members of CSR Europe propose articulating the European project around the fight against social exclusion. The persistence of poverty and social exclusion are not due to fate. They pose a systemic risk that only a steady political will and the engagement of all players can overcome. Practically, what the CSR Europe manifesto proposes is to make the protection of the most vulnerable a cornerstone of all European policies and decisions, whether it is social issues, access to rights, culture, health, environmental and climate policies, the industrial strategy, skills development, trade agreements or international partnerships.

5 Recommendations to European Policymakers

#1 For an Industry Alliance that Fosters Inclusive Prosperity
We propose the creation of an Industry Alliance that builds upon the learnings of CSR Europe’s Business Roadmap, Toolbox and Assessment for Just Transition and the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI)’s report “Tackling Inequality”.
Together with the European Commission, we have the power to equip enterprises of all sizes with best practices and tools that foster the creation of shared social value.

#2 Bridge the Gap on Responsible Materials
We propose the creation of European Sector Alliances for due diligence and Local Sustainability Networks to translate the EU’s ambition for responsibly sourced materials into action.

#3 Unlock Sustainable Finance via Meaningful Disclosure
We propose to accelerate the Capital Markets Union (CMU) and explore innovative financing mechanisms to attract fresh resources and talents towards sustainability, such as community-based project, impact bonds, blended funding, platform-based financing, incubators for start-ups, innovation accelerators, and guarantees.
We also believe that heightened disclosure requirements introduced by the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) present an opportunity to drive sustainable development.

#4 Connect the Environment with Human Behaviour
We propose to the European Commission to explore with the industry and the scientific community further avenues to reach transition objectives beyond the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) and the Science-based Targets for Nature (SBTFN).
While SBTI and SBTFN support enterprises in their shift towards a low-carbon economy and environmental conservation, the integration of behavioral science offers a new dimension to empower governments and industries in the creation of products and services that not only meet environmental standards but also address social needs, hidden biases, and other barriers.

#5 For a European Sustainability Dialogue Forging a Common Desire for Progress
To address the critical and complex challenges of our times, it is imperative that we unite our hopes, talents, and financial resources to build a secure, green and democratic future. As much as the European Social Dialogue is playing a significant role in shaping EU’s social policy, we propose the creation of a European Sustainability Dialogue aimed at enhancing the responsiveness of the EU’s governance to the evolving needs of both industry and civil society.

Download the manifesto here:
https://www.csreurope.org/s/CSR-EUROPE-BUSINESS-MANIFESTO-2024-2029_Digital.pdf

UPJ ist Nationale Partnerorganisation von CSR Europe in Deutschland.