The European CSO Network's 2025 Activities
In 2025, through a series of in-person and online events, Chief Sustainability Officers and their counterparts will collaborate directly with EU officials to develop a dashboard or Menu of Solutions to advance sustainable business practices.
As the European Union enters its new legislative period (2024–2029), a more balanced, proportionate, and pragmatic approach to sustainability policies is essential, focusing on effectively linking sustainability with competitiveness.
To address this need, CSR Europe established the European CSO Network in 2024. This platform advocates for a more supportive and proactive policy framework, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition to sustainable practices while promoting long-term business growth. Reflecting on the past five years, characterised by the EU's predominantly top-down approach to sustainability regulations—often lacking adequate support or incentives for businesses to achieve compliance—the network released its first discussion paper, Leveraging Compliance Towards Business Value, during its first meeting with EU representatives on 5th December 2024.
ABOUT THE NETWORK’S ACTIVITIES
Building on the outcomes of the meeting with EU representatives and the discussion paper, the European CSO Network will structure its 2025 activities around two workstreams:
The first workstream (WS1), on "Better Regulation and Implementation", will focus on enhancing regulatory frameworks and their practical application within the EU.
The second workstream (WS2), centred on "Sustainability and Competitiveness", will advocate for EU policies and incentives that help companies create value and seize new market opportunities. This stream will prioritise developing a practical Menu of Solutions for the European Commission.
Through a series of in-person and online events, Chief Sustainability Officers and their counterparts will collaborate directly with EU officials to develop a dashboard or Menu of Solutions to advance sustainable business practices. The collaborative approach aims to ensure that the proposed solutions are firmly rooted in real-world business needs and practical for organisations of all sizes, from SMEs to large enterprises. '
KEY MILESTONES
Annual P.A. and CSO Meeting: “Practitioners co-building a Sustainable and Competitive Europe” | 04 March 2025, 10:30-13:00 CET, in-person, Brussels
The European Sustainable Industry Summit | 24-25 June 2025, in-person, Brussels
High-level meeting with the European Commission | 20 November 2025 (TBD), in-person, Brussels
Milestones Workstream 1 - "Better Regulation and Implementation"
(webinar) Peer Group #1: Make EU Regulations Workable & Upskilling | 15 April 2025, 10:30 – 12:00 CET, online
(webinar) Peer Group #2: Policies and Collaboration for Impact | 04 June 2025, 10:30 – 12:00 CET, online
2025 Publication #1 - To be released at the European Sustainable Industry Summit | 24-25 June 2025, in-person, Brussels
Milestones Workstream 2 - "Sustainability and Competitiveness"
(European Sustainable Industry Summit Roundtable) Peer Group #1: Policies to Achieve Sustainable Impact and Profitability | 24 June 2025, in-person, Brussels
(webinar) Peer Group #2: Policies to Achieve Sustainable Impact and Profitability | 25 September 2025, 10:30 – 12:00 CET, online
2025 Publication #2 – To be released at the high-level meeting with the European Commission | 20 November 2025 (TBD), in-person, Brussels
For more information:
Jan Noterdaeme, Senior Advisor and co-founder, jn@csreurope.org
Morris Massarutto, Project Manager, EU Affairs, mm@csreurope.org
UPCOMING EVENTS