Sustainability in companies
CSE standard: Our benchmark for corporate sustainability
There are now several definitions and interpretations of the much-used term sustainability. At GfaW, we focus on sustainability in companies and understand it to mean a way of doing business that is future-proof, suitable for grandchildren and beneficial for our planet.
Our CSE standard offers a definition of sustainability that guarantees our claim to this way of doing business. The CSE criteria are the result of practical development work and are based on a strong understanding of sustainability.
We understand sustainability in the company to mean what the CSE standard requires.
A strong understanding of sustainability assumes that natural and artificial resources are not interchangeable. Therefore, the total quantity of natural resources and their composition should not only be preserved, but also increased as much as possible.
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I have children and I want them and my grandchildren, their children, their friends and acquaintances, their acquaintances etc. to grow up in a healthy environment. That’s why I founded the GfaW and put my energy into it.
Sophie von Lilienfeld-Toal
GfaW Managing Director and Founder
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For us, sustainable management means meeting the CSE standard
The current economic system is characterized by market failure. All companies find themselves in an unfair market environment. However, society no longer wants to pay for the negative effects of companies that do not act sustainably and is increasingly calling for the “internalization of costs”.
Demands such as: “True prices for true costs, calculate correctly and make those responsible for climate change pay!” are being raised.
But how can companies that already operate sustainably make their achievements recognizable and thus distance themselves and position themselves clearly? How can private individuals recognize the added value in terms of sustainability and reward it accordingly?
CSE seal: Recognizing sustainability at first glance
Our CSE seal makes sustainability visible directly at the point of sale. It serves as a clear signal to consumers that a product or company meets the demanding CSE standards.
The seal enables customers to immediately recognize sustainable alternatives and make informed purchasing decisions. For companies, it offers the opportunity to prominently present their commitment to sustainability and stand out from other companies.
By placing the CSE seal on products, packaging and at points of sale, we create transparency and promote conscious consumption. In this way, we help private individuals to actively contribute to a more sustainable economy with their purchases.
What sustainability means to us
We see sustainability as an active force for positive change. Our approach goes far beyond mere risk management and aims for real transformation. We integrate the three pillars of sustainability – ecology, economy and social issues – with particular emphasis on the ecological dimension.
Our goal is not only to protect the environment, but also to actively contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems. We are convinced that a healthy, resilient environment is the basis for human well-being and sustainable economic success.
Our definition of sustainability is based on concrete, measurable criteria in all three dimensions.
We invite you to use our standard as inspiration for your own sustainability strategy and to work with us on a sustainable economy.
We deal with the following categories at CSE:
Business model QM system
Environmental protection
Finance
Working world
Supply chain
Market and ethics
Sustainability goals
Sustainable companies according to the CSE standard
These companies are already certified and use the CSE certification to make their outstanding pioneering achievements in sustainable business visible and thus clearly position themselves.
Quick-Check Certified Sustainable Economics
Start our free mini sustainability check now and find out how sustainable your company already is.
CSE and STAR certification tool
In order to make the certification process feasible, efficient and clear, we have developed the online tool STAR (Sustainability Tool for Assessment and Reporting), which supports companies on the path to certification.
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