Why is there so much talk about ESG lately? Companies have been dedicated to disclosing financial information for a long time. From , Europe wants them to also report on sustainability issues relevant to them. In principle, a lignite coal producer will have a "worse" score in Europe than an electric bicycle producer, for example. As every business owner will face ESG in the future, this may also be relevant for the freelancer. A company (and yes, a freelancer is often a sole trader) with a good ESG track record is one that scores well on environmental, social issues (e.g. equal opportunities policy, gender inclusion or human rights) and governance criteria (e.g. anti-corruption, corporate transparency). And it's also important to know: ESG reports are often called non-financial reports because they don't involve hard numbers, like revenue. Who will be first? Trends magazine reported in autumn that new regulation on ESG reporting in the European Union involves around , companies. The new rules will come in stages. By , they will apply to all listed companies and to companies that meet two of the following three criteria: have more than employees, have an annual turnover of million euros or more or have a balance sheet total of at least millions of euros.
Now you will say that no freelancer Greece Phone Number meets these conditions, right? This is correct, but over time, people will start to analyze the entire chain of partners and suppliers of these companies, so the possibility of there being rules for smaller companies as well is not out of the question. And even if they don't exist, a good ESG reputation is also good for a freelancer. What is the advantage of applying ESG in your company (as a freelancer) now? It's good to learn an ESG mindset anyway, as it's a topic that will be (continue to be) part of society. For the freelancer, for example, we are already thinking about: - Reducing waste and therefore saving costs, or - Building trusting relationships with your clients, ethical business. There is no uniform way to engage in sustainable business as a freelancer. The impact you can make can be tied to your product or service, but it can also be personal. Just think about everything you already do to save energy, separate waste, etc. Therefore, we would like to give you some tips on how to get started with the ESG story in a practical way, so that you can crack it at the appropriate time: - Try to define some ESG topics that might apply to your activity - See if these topics can be worked on to improve - Set some objectives and implement them - Communicate about this with your shareholders.
Tell your story about what you are doing regarding ESG, why and how. You will be surprised at the number of people who will want to engage with you for these reasons. Think about the future of ESG while working on your personal brand! Isabelle Colle is a passionate writer who has mastered a variety of topics, audiences, languages, and output channels. Do you want to receive new jobs in your sector daily? So, register for free here. Translated and Adapted by: Julia Mainardi – Freelancer at Freelancer.com.br Would you like to receive new jobs in your sector daily? So, sign up for free here.Your full CV can be there, you can collect references and set up a comprehensive portfolio page where you promote yourself and the work you do. This profile is what customers see when they contact you. This occurs not only when you respond to a job, but also when someone is looking for a freelancer with your skills. Just like your website, this profile is your business card and the reason why a customer chooses you or not. Therefore, take the time to write good texts, fill out everything clearly and completely and present yourself in the best possible light. Filter assignments With a website and a clear profile, you can start responding to assignments. When you see the list, you may want to respond to everything. It's important to be selective.