Sustainability

Whitepaper: Opportunities in Sustainability

Achieving the European Green Deal’s ambitious goal for the EU to become the world’s first climate-neutral bloc by 2050 hinges on the actions of businesses. Companies play a pivotal role in driving the sustainability transformation essential to tackling climate change, reducing waste, and promoting social responsibility. As sustainability becomes an integral part of modern business strategy, Highberg understands the importance of staying at the forefront of this shift. This research delves into the commercial opportunities for Highberg in sustainability consulting by exploring client needs, strategies, and challenges. Through a deeper understanding of the sustainability landscape, Highberg aims to strengthen its consulting services and support clients in embedding sustainability into their core operations.
This whitepaper presents research based on qualitative interviews with nine organisations across various industries. Using thematic and content analysis, the study identified key trends, drivers, and barriers in sustainability practices. The findings highlight the challenges companies face and reveal opportunities for Highberg to assist them in overcoming these hurdles. As one interviewee insightfully noted, “Currently, sustainability is still a competitive advantage; soon it will be a right to play.

Gijs Verkooijen

Netherlands

Organizational

Highberg ESG Report 2023

ESG Rapport 2024

As Highberg, we are committed to achieve lasting impact on organizations, people, and the environment. Therefore, we are very proud to publish our first ESG report.

Selma den Hartog

Ben ten Dam

Three reasons why as a CIO and CSO you should hold each other's hands

Why should CIO and CSO hold hands?

In my daily work in the field of responsible digitization, I see that sustainability and digitization have a lot in common. Both strive for value creation, involve substantive complexity, and require a similar search for ownership.

Anne van Esch

Digital

As an organization, how do you take the first steps toward sustainability?

Sustainability in your organization

The-first-step-to-sustainability-in-your-organization

In today's rapidly evolving world, sustainability is increasingly seen as not only an ethical, but also a business sense. Organizations committed to a sustainable path are experiencing numerous benefits, including cost savings, increased efficiency and a positive impact on the environment. But as an organization, how do you take the first steps toward sustainability?

Miriam Maan

The first step to Sustainability in your organization

AI Act compliance and sustainability

Eco-friendly algorithms

eco-friendly-algorithms

With the privacy and security requirements introduced by the <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20230601STO93804/eu-ai-act-first-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence?at_campaign=20226-Digital&amp;at_medium=Google_Ads&amp;at_platform=Search&amp;at_creation=Sitelink&amp;at_goal=TR_G&amp;at_advertiser=Webcomm&amp;at_audience=ai%20act&amp;at_topic=Artificial_intelligence_Act&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLM-JcGp5HMGDbshr_AOCesBlFEsOK12bL0z9JMA8Kj3iDudkG_pnJZRoCsdEQAvD_BwE">AI Act</a>, we are by now all at least familiar. But what does the AI Act say about sustainability? <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0236_EN.html">Amendment 213</a> has added, among other things, article 4a. This article deals with the generic principles applicable to all AI systems.

Jules van den berg

Government and Public Sector

Empowering sustainability efforts

Digital solutions for policy

digital-solutions-for-policy

Under the influence of climate change, shortages of (potable) water, rising sea levels, changing ecosystems, and reduced biodiversity, sustainability is increasingly becoming a source of global concern. The European Union (EU) takes the lead in promoting policies to address environmental, social, and economic challenges, including through initiatives like the Green Deal. This Green Deal and the resulting European directives such as the CSRD directly impact the work of Dutch government officials and policymakers at national, provincial, and local government levels. After all, these officials and policymakers must translate this European policy into national legislation and apply it to organizations across the Netherlands. Once implemented, governments will need to oversee the enforcement and compliance of this policy.

Ynte Kramer

Heiko van Eldijk tells about digital transformation

Digital transformation? Make future visible!

digital-transformation-make-the-future-visible

If you can't get the people in your organization on board, every attempt at digital transformation is doomed to fail. But how do you do that, getting your organization on board? Partner and consultant Heiko van Eldijk of Highberg shares his key learnings. 'Digital transformation starts with a compelling story.'

Heiko van Eldijk

Digital transformation? Make the future visible!

Diversity as a foundation: A path to organizational resilience

Thrive through diversity (1/4)

thrive-through-diversity-1-4

No matter where you look or in which system you engage, where you incorporate diversity, a system will thrive.

Maria van der Schoot

Sustainability beyond the surface: A deep dive into organizational transformation

Leave the plastic cups for now

Leave-the-Plastic-Cups-for-Now

In a recent study, Gartner Research Institute states that by 2024 60% of all demand for sustainability consulting services will come directly from the business lines of corporates, rather than from the organization’s sustainability department. That is good news. Very good news.

Arent van 't Spijker

Sustainability impacts more than the environment, shaping social and economic growth

Beyond green: Sustainability's true scope

Beyond-green-Sustainabilitys-true-scope

Sustainability is a hot topic. Organizations think it's important, but then..., ‘what can I do about it?’. And ‘what difference does my effort make now?’. Do I act on the bare necessaties for window dressing purposes, or does it really make sense for my organization to do 'something with sustainability' now? The answer is ‘Yes!’. Acting on sustainability really makes sense. And there are several reasons for that.

Adaptive operations for sustainable resilience

Thrive through diversity (4/4)

thrive-through-diversity-4-4

The lack of diversity in an organization is like having no biodiversity in nature. In other words, it’s pretty essential.
This article is the last article as part of the series ‘Thrive through diversity’. So far, we have discussed the <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-1-4">importance of a solid foundation</a> and that we can enhance this by <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-2-4">integrating different domains of diversity</a>. We have discussed the <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-3-4">workforce and the product &amp; portfolio diversit</a>y and are at the final part about operational diversity.

Diverse products, sustainable portfolios

Thrive through diversity (3/4)

thrive-through-diversity-3-4

This article is the third article as part of the series ‘Thrive through diversity'. In the <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-1-4">first article</a>, we talked about a solid foundation. In the <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-2-4">last article</a>, we covered one of the three domains: workforce diversity. This blog will cover the second domain: product &amp; portfolio diversity.

Technology and Telecommunications

Empowering employees through gamification to meet ESG targets

The Philips sustainability challenge

The-Philips-Sustainability-Challenge

Philips’ question
In 2020, Philips announced its ESG commitments for 2025: a comprehensive set of key commitments and ambitious targets across all the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) dimensions. 
Currently, the main challenge for Philips is to involve all employees in the execution of these commitments. This requires employees to become aware of the ESG commitments and ambitions, understand how they can contribute from their own role and context, and requires them to adopt and execute new behaviors.

Workforce diversity: building sustainable foundations

Thrive through diversity (2/4)

thrive-through-diversity-2-4

This article is the second article as part of the series ‘Thrive through diversity’. In the <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/thrive-through-diversity-1-4">first article</a>, we explored how embracing diversity increases the resiliency, stability, and relevancy of an organization in times of turmoil by creating a solid foundation. Three domains of diversity were quickly introduced. For the next three parts of this series, we dive deeper into each of these domains. This article explores workforce diversity and the importance of it to become a sustainable organization.

A Commitment to People, Planet, and Prosperity

Highberg is B Corp certified

B Corp Highberg

Highberg can call itself a certified B Corporation, also known as B Corp. That is not only something we are very proud of, but also what we strive for in our daily work. 
By becoming certified as a B Corp, we demonstrate our commitment to positively impacting the world and holding ourselves accountable for our actions.

Carolien Wiltink

Transforming business ecosystems for sustainable success

How do you create a sustainable chain?

How-Do-You-Create-a-Sustainable-Chain

Collaboration within an organization is sometimes already complicated, let alone between multiple organizations. To really achieve sustainability, cooperation within the chain is essential. How do you get from a sustainability strategy on paper to a workable action plan?

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Our Sustainability Transformation Consulting is a comprehensive approach designed to guide organizations towards a profound shift in their operational paradigms. Building upon the foundation of your existing commitment to sustainability, we employ a systematic blend of consulting, coaching, and training to facilitate a holistic transformation.

We help organization implement sustainable strategies that integrate environmental and social considerations into their core operations. Our expertise includes: 
▪️ sustainable strategy execution  ▪️ sustainability program &amp; portfolio management  ▪️ organizational design  ▪️ implementing improvement (pdca) on sustainable policies/regulations  ▪️ integrated governance implementation (soft &amp; hard controls)

We offer comprehensive support in transitioning towards a culture of sustainability within your organization. 
▪️ cultural change programs ▪️ gamification for sustainability  ▪️ sustainable leadership programs ▪️ Training on sustainability

We help balance your digital and sustainable transformation by integrating sustainable practices into your digital initiatives and vice versa. Using future-proof, data-driven methods, we ensure continuous monitoring and transparency of your sustainable objectives, while supporting compliance with European legislation. 
▪️ Green (by) IT assessments ▪️ Data driven sustainability (and compliancy) ▪️ Sustainable product information management ▪️ Positive Green (by) IT business case in 5 steps

When the sustainability strategy is clear execution becomes imperative. We can add execution power on specific ESG themes.
▪️ Diversty, equity and inclusion ▪️ Business ethics ▪️ Employee safety and health ▪️ Carbon footrpint insight and reduction

sustainability

As the world shifts towards a more environmentally conscious future, organizations recognize that sustainability isn't just a legal or financial obligation—it's a strategic imperative. Embracing sustainability isn't just about compliance; it's a proactive step towards meeting rising customer expectations, attracting top-tier talent, enhancing value chain resilience, and reducing dependence on finite resources. To thrive in this evolving landscape, organizations seek to transcend mere waste reduction projects and carbon footprint management. They aspire to infuse sustainability at their core, fostering lasting gains that resonate far beyond immediate improvements. In this way sustainability becomes your competitive advantage.

"Embed sustainability in your core activities to realize the most impact"

Innovation Management

Arent van t S 1080px 1

Partner

Arent van 't Spijker is partner at Highberg and has over 20 years of experience in information management in a wide variety of organizations and industries. He has a strong focus on information as an enabler for innovation and on the monetization of information as an asset. Arent acts as a trusted advisor to business operations and senior management. Arent is a creative and inspiring speaker. He is solution-oriented and builds on his extensive knowledge of (and experience in) structured and unstructured data management and -reporting. His areas of expertise include innovation, data driven strategy, business model innovation, big data and Lean and Agile working.
Want to know more? Connect with Arent on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arentvantspijker/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.

Building truly valuable services

Valuable services are sensible-by-design

Truly valuable services are sensible from the initial design

Our environment demands more and more from (government) service delivery. Service must comply with laws and regulations, restore the 'human dimension', and be more sustainable. Each organization has its own beliefs and priorities in this regard. This diversity of expectations raises the question, 'How do we make progress at all?'

Marlijn Mulder

Looking back on making impact, activities and long-term community involvement

Summer director at Highberg Digital

as-summer-director-you-may-actually-fire-someone

As summer director, I was asked more than once, and even now, if I could possibly fire someone during my time as summer director. While the rumours say this is not allowed, management confirmed that it would be allowed if necessary. Sure you don't do this lightly and handle your (temporary) new responsibilities carefully. But what do you do as a summer director? And what do you want to accomplish during such a period? In this blog, I explain!

Joost van Lier

As summer director, you may actually fire someone

Digital Strategy & Execution

IT Governance

Agile program management

Consultant Information Management

Anne is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in IT- governance and digital sustainability. She has worked on various societal challenges and is always looking for ways to make an impact and contribute to sustainability. Her approach is characterized by a positive-critical attitude and the ability to connect different disciplines. She believes that an integrated approach is necessary to address the complex challenges of our time, and enjoys collaborating with others to find innovative solutions.

In addition to her professional qualities, she possesses a healthy dose of humor, is an optimist and sees opportunities where others see obstacles.
Want to know more? Connect with Anne on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-van-esch-611a137/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.

Sustainability

"Embed sustainability in your core activities to realize the most impact"

Arent van 't Spijker

Anne van Esch

Our approach

Our services

Sustainable strategy implementation

Embedding sustainability in the DNA of the organization

Digital sustainability

Guiding change in specific ESG topics

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