Summary of the 22nd report by the Responsible Business Forum: New Trends and Practices in the Field of Sustainable Development

The business world is increasingly focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility, as evidenced by the 22nd edition of the Forum Odpowiedzialnego Biznesu (FOB) annual report.

A comprehensive summary of sustainable development practices was presented during the “ESG Ideas Fair” conference on April 16 in Warsaw. The publication highlighted 1,046 examples of good practices implemented by 266 companies in Poland, making this report the most extensive ESG review in the country.

Several initiatives by Exorigo-Upos earned a spot in the FOB’s report “Responsible Business in Poland. Good Practices”:

• One Team Day – is an annual celebration for all Exorigo-Upos employees, emphasizing the importance of our corporate value #OneTeam.
• Exo Leader Competency Model – defines the expected skills and behaviours for leaders in our company.
• 4th Line of Support – an employee volunteer program we are currently developing.
• Health Action – a series of initiatives supporting a healthy lifestyle, including the “Shape Grows, Trees Grow” campaign.
• Ecological Children’s Day, an art competition for kids-themed “Recycling, New Life for Waste.”

As part of its ESG initiatives, Exorigo-Upos, a technology partner for retailers, launched the Go Green Retail initiative. This initiative combines environmental ESG actions with cost savings in the retail industry.

What does this initiative involve?

The first stage focuses on equipment used in the retail sector, aiming to reduce energy consumption and costs associated with purchasing new devices. The company has developed a process that extends the lifespan of servers, PCs, PDAs, laptops, and cash registers. This allows retailers to avoid frequent equipment replacements, leading to a smaller carbon footprint and lower costs.

The second component of the offering involves energy audits that help identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced, and other cost-saving measures can be implemented. These audits provide practical guidance on how retail companies can lower energy use.

In the following steps, Go Green Retail will expand its scope to include infrastructure and software solutions. This means the company plans to offer tools and technologies to help retailers further minimize environmental impact while optimizing costs.

The Go Green Retail initiative represents a concrete and effective way for retail companies to achieve sustainable development goals and operational efficiency, contributing to a greener future.

The FOB report focuses on critical areas of the ISO 26000 standard, such as social engagement, labour practices, environmental protection, human rights, consumer issues, fair operating practices, and organizational governance. The most examples of good practices related to social engagement (418), labour practices (249), and environment (210). Moreover, this year introduced new features, such as assigning practices to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), to facilitate compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

The document also highlights the challenges posed by the growing number of ESG-related regulations. Exorigo-Upos, a strategic partner of the Forum, shared its practices featured in the report. Their activities include employee programs, initiatives for a healthy lifestyle, and contests promoting recycling and sustainable attitudes among children.

The report and the RBF conference indicate the dynamic development of sustainable business in Poland but also emphasize the need for a strategic approach and cooperation among various stakeholders. As Maria Krawczyńska-Kaczmarek, a board member of the Responsible Business Forum, mentioned in the introductory note, current ESG trends are a challenge and a significant opportunity for companies in Poland.

Companies that aim to act responsibly must be ready to adapt to new standards and changes. The RBF’s actions and the report’s partners demonstrate that businesses in Poland increasingly recognize the benefits of sustainable development and are prepared to take on the associated challenges.