In recent decades, the sustainability has become a priority for companies, driven not only by increasingly stringent regulations, but also from increasing attention from consumers, investors and stakeholders.
For this reason, the sustainability certifications are taking a central role in business strategy. Get an ESG certification Does it mean to adopt recognized standards at an international level, ensuring transparency and credibility to the commitments made.
This is not only Strengthen confidence of customers and business partners, but it also represents a competitive advantage in a market that is increasingly attentive to ESG criteria.
In this article, we will give an overview of main sustainability certifications, we will see what to do to obtain them and what are the concrete benefits they can bring to companies.
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What are the main sustainability certifications?
Sustainability certifications attest to the conformity of a company a globally recognized standards, ensuring a uniform approach and comparable across different sectors and regions.
They are released by independent third parties, and certify that an organization complies with certain ESG criteria through a periodic audits and audits.
This makes them highly reliable tools, because they are based on clear and measurable criteria.
Let's see what the main certifications are.
- ISO 14064
This standard provides guidelines for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. It helps companies to quantify, monitor and reduce their carbon footprint in a certified manner. - ISO 14067
ISO 14067 defines the criteria for calculating the carbon footprint of a product (CFP — Carbon Footprint of Product), allowing companies to identify areas for improvement. - ISO 14068
This standard defines the requirements for carbon neutrality, helping companies demonstrate that they have achieved net-zero emissions. - ISO 14021
This ISO concerns environmental self-declarations, and provides guidelines for the correct use of terms such as' biodegradable ',' compostable 'or' recycled ', reducing the risk of Greenwashing. - PAS 2060
PAS 2060 is the international standard for carbon neutrality. Establishes the criteria for measuring, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring transparency on the path to neutrality carbonic.
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Sustainability certifications, ratings and international initiatives: what are the differences?
When it comes to corporate sustainability, the terms certifications, ESG ratings and international initiatives are often used interchangeably, creating confusion.
In reality, despite having affinities, especially between certifications and ratings, these tools have different functions.
Let's see what differentiates ESG ratings and international initiatives from the certifications seen so far.
ESG Rating
An ESG rating evaluates business performance in the ESG field, and provides a Impact measurement total number of companies.
The rating agencies then assign a scoring regarding ESG performance, often used by investors and stakeholders to compare companies in terms of sustainability.
Unlike certifications, which certify compliance with a standard, ratings provide a comparative picture of sustainability performance.
Download the guide to learn how to improve your ESG rating!
Here are the most relevant ratings.
- Ecovadis
EcoVadis provides a business sustainability assessment based on four pillars: environment, ethics, working practices, and sustainable purchasing. Companies receive a score that helps them improve their performance and demonstrate their commitment to business partners. - B Corp
The B Corp certification attests to a company's commitment to generating a positive impact on society and the environment. It is released by B Lab following a rigorous evaluation in terms of social, environmental performance, transparency and accountability. - Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
The CDP is a reporting system that evaluates corporate transparency in the management of carbon emissions, water resources and deforestation, encouraging companies to improve their environmental performance.
International initiatives
International initiatives do not directly certify or evaluate a company's sustainability, but they promote adoption of sustainable practices And the achievement of objectives of Net Zero.
It's about voluntary programs that companies can join to publicly commit to a more sustainable development.
Participating in these initiatives can strengthen corporate credibility and provide a framework for improving their ESG performance, often in synergy with certifications and ratings.
Let's see what the main international initiatives are.
- Science-Based Targets (SBTi)
The SBTi initiative supports companies in defining emission reduction objectives in line with theParis Agreement. Joining SBTi means making a concrete commitment to limit global warming to within 1.5°C. - Race to Zero
Race to Zero is a UN initiative that brings together companies, cities and institutions committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Membership demonstrates a concrete commitment to the climate transition. - UN Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. The participating companies are committed to respecting ten principles on human rights, labor, environment and the fight against corruption, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ofAgenda 2030.
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Sustainability certifications vs sustainability report: what are the differences?
Companies have different ways to communicate their commitment to sustainability, in line with their specifications needs and targets. Sustainability certifications, ratings and international initiatives, together with the sustainability report, represent distinct but complementary approaches within the ESG strategy corporate.
Get a certifying Or a ESG rating allows you to receive a rating Or a scoring through a process independent, which analyzes a company's environmental, social and governance practices.
This assessment is issued by third parties specialized to demonstrate respect for specific standards. In this way, a greater credibility in the eyes of investors, customers and stakeholders, thanks to clear and verifiable evaluation criteria.
The sustainability report Instead, it's a detailed report which describes in a transparent way the business performance in terms of sustainability.
Generally published on annual basis, follows internationally recognized guidelines, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). At European level, companies subject to CSRD they must comply with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), developed byEuropean Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).
Unlike certifications, financial statements are not an award issued by a third party, but a document that allows the company to Tell me about your progress in a structured way and future commitments in the ESG field.
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How do you obtain a sustainability certification?
Get a sustainability certification Or a ESG rating requires a structured path that allows companies to objectively demonstrate their commitment to achieving ESG objectives.
The route includes 3 phases main: initial evaluation; definition of objectives and an action plan; external audit. Let's see them in detail.
- Initial Assessment
The first step consists of ain-depth analysis of business practices existing to identify the strengths And the areas for improvement in the ESG field.
The goal is to build a solid base from which to develop a effective sustainability strategy and in line with the standards required by the certification. - Definition of sustainability objectives and action plan
Based on the initial analysis, they are established concrete and measurable objectives. These must be Realistic, but at the same time Ambitious, to ensure a progressive improvement in business performance.
In the case of certifications, the action plan defines the measures to be taken to meet the requirements required by the reference standard; for ESG ratings, on the other hand, the company can implement strategies to improve its ESG performance over time, thus increasing its score. - External audit and issuance of certification
The last step is verification by a independent certifying body.
During the audit, inspectors analyze business documentation to ascertain the compliance with regulations. Only after passing this phase does the company obtain official certification or an ESG score.
Obtaining a sustainability certification or an ESG rating is not a definitive goal, but a long-term commitment. To maintain the certification or score, companies must periodically demonstrate that they have met or improved the required ESG standards, through updates, new implementations and additional checks.
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How much does it cost to obtain a sustainability certification?
There is no fixed cost to obtain a sustainability certification, an ESG rating or to join an international initiative. The price depends a lot on several factors, such as sizes of the company, the sector In which it operates and the level of preparation ESG already reached.
What affects the budget is not only the cost of the audit by the certifying body, but also all the activities necessary to arrive prepared for the verification, ranging frominitial analysis of business practices, to definition and implementation of corrective measures requests.
In addition, once obtained, the certification involves a continuous commitment to maintain standards over time.
However, it's not just about costs, but about a strategic investment: certified companies can enjoy various benefits that often lead to a positive impact also on operating costs.
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The 6 advantages of obtaining a sustainability certification for companies
From the possibility of accessing new business opportunities, to the consolidation of corporate reputation, certifications, ESG ratings or joining international initiatives offer numerous benefits.
- Winning tenders and competitions
Obtaining sustainability certifications allows you to receive a higher score in public or private tenders and tenders, increasing the chances of accessing new business opportunities. - Better access to finance
Investors and banking institutions are increasingly giving value to ESG criteria when evaluating companies.
A sustainability certification can facilitate access to subsidized financing, dedicated funds and sustainable financial instruments, improving the company's ability to attract capital. - Gain a competitive advantage
ESG certifications are not yet a widespread standard among all companies, especially small and medium-sized companies.
Certification ahead of competitors allows you to position yourself among the most advanced companies, adopting standards that today are mainly used by large multinationals, but which will soon become fundamental requirements for operating on the market. - Consolidate positioning
Integrating sustainability into your business model and obtaining a certification means standing out in your sector.
This strengthens the company's positioning and allows it to be recognized as a leader in its market, improving the perception of the brand by customers, partners and stakeholders. - Amplify brand visibility
Having an internationally recognized certification increases credibility and business reputation.
A certified commitment to sustainability is an added value that can be effectively communicated, helping to improve the corporate image and attract new customers and strategic collaborations.
- Build customer loyalty
Consumers are increasingly attentive to transparency and greenwashing. Demonstrating your commitment to sustainability, with an independent certification, helps to build a relationship of trust with customers and to maintain long-term relationships, encouraging loyalty and positive word of mouth.
