Smart Kolektiv, a leading sustainability expert organization in Serbia, has released the second edition of the ESG/SDG Barometer—a concise guide designed for companies embarking on their sustainability journey.
The second edition of the ESG/SDG Barometer provides deeper insights into the business community’s perspectives on key sustainability issues. The publication explores how companies are addressing challenges in implementing strategies that encompass environmental, social, and governance factors. The business community is convinced that ESG is not only relevant but also essential to remain, and we are currently witnessing numerous business transformation processes focused on sustainability.
“Today, and especially in the near future, it will no longer be possible to run a successful business without a strong commitment to sustainable practices. These are not only the demands and expectations of consumers but also of future employees. Moreover, these demands are increasingly becoming legal obligations, especially in EU countries. In this sense, when we say that ‘sustainability is not an option but the only solution,’ we do not mean it to be pressure on companies, but rather as an understanding that sustainability is becoming an integral part of business,” stated Neven Marinović, Director of Smart Kolektiv, in the publication’s introduction.
This Barometer edition places special focus on expressing the collective stance of the Responsible Business Forum regarding the enhancement of non-financial reporting processes, one of the central themes for promoting transparency, collaboration with stakeholders, and sustainability improvement.
On this occasion, Dejan Turk, CEO and General Director of A1 Serbia and A1 Slovenia, and President of the Responsible Business Forum, emphasized, “ESG introduced quantification and measurable goals into the entire business context a few years ago, concrete steps we must take relying on reliable analyses and strict standards in reporting our progress.” The Barometer provides an overview of attitudes, trends, and concrete examples in the dynamic landscape of sustainable business while highlighting the key role of cross-sector collaboration.
“To empower the community and address the challenges that the future brings, the cohesion of all key stakeholders in our society is needed. On this path, our partners, civil organizations, and associations are our allies, and the success of projects and results largely depends on them,” stated Nina Elezović, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and a board member of the Responsible Business Forum.
The ESG/SDG Barometer is a concise, yet informative guide primarily intended for decision-makers in companies, serving as a roadmap through the dynamic environment and changes initiated by the global sustainability wave. The publication also offers a set of recommendations for other partners.
The ESG/SDG Barometer is based on a comparative analysis of global trends and research on the views of leading companies operating in Serbia. The publication was created under the “Sustainable Development for All” platform supported by the Governments of Switzerland and Germany, and is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH as part of the Public Finance Reform Project – Agenda 2030.
