Holistic sustainability – measurable and certifiable for companies

Making sustainability measurable

The ZNU standard is the world's first holistic sustainability standard that can be externally certified. It was updated in an intensive stakeholder process in order to meet the current requirements of companies and give them a competitive advantage. "With the new 2024 standard, companies have the opportunity to comprehensively measure their sustainability performance and develop it further in a targeted manner," say Dr Christian Geßner and Dr Axel Kölle Gründer, heads of the ZNU - Centre for Sustainable Leadership. The new version includes extended requirements in the areas of early identification (double materiality), climate protection (including Scope 3 elements), climate impact adaptation, finance, packaging, biodiversity and human rights.

Suitable for all organisations

The ZNU standard is applicable to all organisations - from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large international corporations, regardless of their sector. Public organisations and associations can also be certified according to the standard. Companies that are already certified according to the previous version from 2018 have the opportunity to upgrade their certification to the current version. All initial certifications and recertifications must be carried out in accordance with the 2024 version no later than two years after the new version is published.

Success story from the field

The Bitburger Brewery Group, one of the companies already certified, clearly sees the benefits of the ZNU standard: "Certification in accordance with the ZNU standard has helped us significantly in achieving our sustainability goals and preparing us optimally for the requirements of CSRD reporting," explains Jan Niewodniczanski, Managing Director Technology and Environment at the Bitburger Brewery Group. "Thanks to the holistic approach of the standard, we were able to structure our sustainability activities and develop them further in a targeted manner."

Differentiation from other standards

The ZNU standard differs from other sustainability standards in its holistic approach. While many standards only cover specific sustainability dimensions, the ZNU Standard integrates all relevant topics and promotes the long-term establishment of an integrated management process. It therefore provides an ideal basis for companies that are striving for sound and systematic sustainability reporting, e.g. in accordance with the requirements of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards). They must first establish their processes, monitoring and documentation in order to ultimately be able to write their reports.

Why certify now?

"Companies that obtain certification in accordance with the ZNU standard send out a strong signal of their commitment to sustainability and benefit from a clear competitive advantage," emphasises Kesta Ludemann, responsible for the ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management. They also gain a clear orientation guide for the credible communication of their sustainability performance."

Further information and contact

• Information event Standard for beginners (digital): 21 November 2024 (09:30 - 11:30)
• General information on the ZNU standard, certification bodies and frequently asked questions: www.znu-standard.com