CSR objectives: How to set ambitious targets and achieve them?

Setting CSR goals means setting a course for your company to act in the face of current social, environmental and economic challenges.

But beyond good intentions, it is a question of structuring an ambition capable of making a difference, both internally and with its stakeholders.

In this article, we explore the key steps to define relevant, ambitious and achievable CSR goals:

• The importance of CSR for a company
• What is a CSR objective?
• Why do they have to be ambitious?
• How do you define them?
• Measuring and monitoring its CSR performance
• Challenges and mistakes to avoid

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The importance of CSR for a company

Today, integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into your strategy is no longer an option. Behind this term CSR, there is a simple idea: companies must contribute positively to society, while taking care of their impacts on the environment and people.

Setting CSR goals means structuring this ambition!

They cover three main areas: the environment, the social and the economic or governance to ensure responsible and sustainable management.

And why is it important? Because it benefits everyone.

For businesses, that means retain their customers, motivate their employees, meet the expectations of partners and become more responsible. For society, it is the guarantee of seeing the emergence of fairer and more sustainable projects.

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What is a CSR objective?

It is a target objective that a company sets to contribute positively to society and the environment, while reducing its negative impacts. They are linked to the major challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which cover three main areas:

• The environment : for example, reducing CO₂ emissions or limiting water consumption.
• The social : improving the well-being of employees or supporting local projects.
• The economic or governance : encourage ethical and transparent management.

They serve to guide the company's actions and measure their progress; they are concrete commitments that reflect a desire to act.

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Why set ambitious CSR goals?

Setting ambitious CSR goals not only makes it possible to meet the expectations of stakeholders, but also to stand out on the market. When they are clear and bold, they contribute to strengthening the overall performance and positive impact of the business.

Meeting the expectations of stakeholders

Customers, employees, investors: Everyone now expects businesses to act responsibly. Adopting a well-structured CSR approach makes it possible to meet these expectations and to build trust in your business.

Comply with regulations and anticipate standards

With legislations like the CSRD, which require more transparency in terms of sustainability, businesses need to get ready now. Get ahead of the curve so as not to experience these changes, but to anticipate and take advantage of them.

Gain competitive advantages

A strong CSR commitment improve your branding and makes your business more attractive to customers, talents and partners. It is also a way of differentiating yourself in an increasingly demanding market.

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How do you define your CSR Objectives?

For your CSR commitments to have a real impact, we advise you to define clear, measurable, realistic priorities based on the challenges of your sector. Well-defined, they will allow your company to focus on concrete actions, while meeting the expectations of stakeholders.

A method that we use a lot at Beavir to structure them is the SMART method.

By taking into account the specific challenges of your sector and the priorities of your company, you will be able to establish ambitious, but achievable, CSR commitments that will guide your actions and allow you to measure your progress in a transparent manner. In this section, we explain how to properly define them.

Use the SMART method

The SMART method is based on five criteria:

• Specific : they must be precise and well defined. For example, “reducing CO₂ emissions” is too vague. Better to say: “reduce CO₂ emissions by 10% in 2 years compared to the reference year”.
• Measurable : You need to be able to measure your progress. For example, “reduce water consumption by 500 m³ by the end of the year.”
• Achievable : they must be realistic, based on the company's current capabilities.
• Realistic : Ensure that they are achievable according to resources and context.
• Temporal : Add a deadline, for example, “reduce our energy consumption by 20% by 2025".

It is also important to differentiate between strategic goals and resource goals.

Strategic commitments set your long-term vision, over 5 to 10 years, and guide the overall management of your business. Mean goals, on the other hand, are intermediate steps over 2 to 3 years that help you move forward towards these great ambitions. This approach allows you to plan your actions in an organized manner and to stay on track to reach your long-term goals.

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Taking into account material challenges and sectoral priorities

Each company has specific challenges depending on its sector of activity, geography and size.

For example, a company in the fashion sector will have priorities on the environmental impact associated with production, while a pharmaceutical company could focus on the health and safety of its workers.

Take the time to Define your priority goals based on what has the most impact on the company and its sector.

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Measuring and monitoring performance

Measuring and monitoring the performance of its CSR objectives makes it possible to ensure that the actions taken have a real impact and to adjust strategies along the way if necessary.

As a reminder, an objective must be quantified and dated to be achievable. Knowing exactly what you are aiming for and setting a deadline to reach it allows you to be more concrete and to give yourself a real chance of achieving them.

The importance of KPIs (key performance indicators)

Les KPI ROSE are tools that make it possible to measure the progress made in relation to the objectives set. These indicators vary according to the objectives, but they make it possible to monitor concrete elements such as:

• The reduction of CO₂ emissions.
• Employee satisfaction rate.
• The quantity of resources saved (water, energy, etc.).
• Etc.

These KPIs are crucial because they help quantify results and determine if the business is moving in the right direction. The CSRD requires you to report on a certain number of KPIs, as well as many other frameworks such as EcoVadis.

Follow and adjust your strategy

The monitoring of CSR objectives must be regular to quickly identify possible discrepancies and adjust actions if necessary. For example, we may decide to do a quarterly review to see if they are achieved, and if necessary, review the methods to be more effective.

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Challenges and mistakes to avoid

Setting ambitious CSR goals is an excellent starting point, but be careful, the actions and your CSR strategy must be up to scratch. To ensure that your actions have a real impact, here are the top mistakes to avoid.

Objectives that are too vague or unrealistic

Setting goals that are too general or that do not take into account the resources and capabilities of the business can lead to disappointing results.

For example, “becoming a greener business” or “reducing our ecological footprint” are too vague to be measured. Be specific and realistic : “reduce our CO₂ emissions by 15% by 2025", in order to give clear guidelines for the actions to be put in place.

The lack of buy-in from internal stakeholders

They should be worn by the whole company, from managers to employees. Without the commitment of internal stakeholders, it is difficult to implement effective actions. Make sure to involve your teams from the start, by Making them aware of the importance of CSR and by empowering them to participate actively. Define good CSR governance!

Greenwashing: how to avoid it?

Greenwashing consists in giving the illusion of being ecologically responsible without taking real measures. This can damage your reputation and lead to a loss of trust. To avoid it, it is important To set authentic goals and measurable, and of communicate transparently on your actions and results. Don't just make promises, but take concrete action and track your progress.

Ignoring science

For anyone on the environment, rely on what science tells you.

Our planet has physical limits, such as the limited capacity of ecosystems to absorb CO2, they must be respected to avoid irreversible imbalances. Your emission reduction trajectories should be set according to these limits, and take into account what science tells us about the resilience of the planet.

On the subject of CO2 emissions, The SBTi initiative (Science-Based Targets initiative) is a reference. It offers recognized methodologies for defining emission reduction goals in accordance with scientific recommendations, in particular for limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. By adopting recognized frameworks, you are giving yourself a chance to set credible and ambitious goals that are in line with global environmental imperatives.

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Conclusion

Setting and achieving CSR goals is not just a theoretical exercise: it is a strong commitment to transform your business.

To successfully set the right goals, we recommend using the SMART method, which is still an excellent compass. You must also take into account that they must be specific to the challenges of your business and adapt to the priorities of your sector.

Remember, setting goals is just the start. For them to be effective, You have to monitor your KPIs over time, see if your actions are performing well and adjust if necessary. This is the key to having an impacting CSR strategy!