Senior managers of sustainability and corporate social responsibility in Europe

Senior managers and heads of sustainability, corporate sustainability and/or corporate social responsibility (CSR) (or similar) are increasingly necessary professions within organisations. Given the widespread recognition the role of CSR professionals is receiving, an assessment of their situation in the European context is urgent. The European Association of Sustainability Professionals (EASP) used an online survey to more precisely define CSR/sustainability professionals’ positions. Professionals from seven European countries were surveyed in collaboration with the EASP members, revealing, among others, that sustainability units are still small in comparison with other corporate departments, that communication with CEOs and boards happens regularly, that companies integrate sustainability into their strategy or decision-making and that climate change is an impactful challenge and is likely able to revolutionise entire organisations. Businesses need to redefine the concept of ‘value’ in order to go beyond traditional financial terms, and CSR/sustainability professionals play a key role in this journey.