At the heart of ESG: act, measure, transform

In an article published in Paperjam, Valérie Michiels, Communication & Employer Brand Manager, and Jeanne Mocellin, Human Ressources Officer, discuss how ESG is embedded in our culture through concrete actions, measurable impact, and a people-first approach.

At Elvinger Hoss Prussen, ESG is far more than a statement of intent: it shapes our strategy, guides our decisions and reinforces our employer brand. For the past four years, we have published an annual ESG report based on concrete indicators used to measure the impact of the actions we undertake.

Having recently received the EcoVadis Bronze Medal, a new record, our ESG approach has once again been rewarded. It is grounded in a structured analysis of our key priorities, formalised through a materiality matrix carried out in 2023. To develop it, we sought input from both our internal stakeholders (team members of all profiles and age groups) and external stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, associations and academics. This exercise enabled us to identify the most critical issues for our business.

Alongside this, continuous innovation has emerged as essential to maintaining the excellence of our expertise in an ever-evolving environment.

Other key priorities have also been identified, including business conduct, data protection, supporting our clients on ESG matters and the adoption of responsible practices.

Beyond identifying these priorities, we are committed to translating them into concrete and measurable actions, as our annual ESG report demonstrates.

A cornerstone of our ESG strategy, the report goes far beyond an exercise in transparency: it serves as a management tool, enabling us to monitor our actions, measure their impact and pursue a long-term strategy.

It is built around three core pillars, aligned with the values that define our identity: responsibility, innovation, excellence and respect.

First, being a responsible business partner by ensuring ethical business conduct, strengthening data protection and supporting our clients on ESG matters, which retain a key role in corporate strategy.

This approach reflects our commitment to excellence and our determination to provide solutions that are suited to constantly evolving environments. Our dedicated group of ESG lawyers was recently restructured to support our clients even more effectively across the full spectrum of ESG-related matters. Comprising three partners, several counsels and around ten associates, it demonstrates our ability to mobilise cross-disciplinary expertise in response to a growing demand.

Our commitment is also reflected in the involvement of our people with organisations working towards sustainable development in Luxembourg. In particular, our partner Caroline Bocklandt was recently elected President of the sustainable development legislation experts’ committee of FEDIL.

Secondly, being a responsible employer by placing skills development, workplace wellbeing, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our model.

In this spirit, we actively connect with the talents of tomorrow and foster their immersion within our firm.

Finally, being a responsible member of society by getting involved with institutions, associations and organisations that work towards a society and a financial sector where ethics and competitiveness are in balance. We are therefore actively involved in various organisations within the financial sector and with the Luxembourg Bar. This involvement is reflected in the role of our Partner Pit Reckinger as Vice-President, President and then Past President of the Bar, as well as the engagement of many partners and counsels within various Bar committees, where they play an active part in work that has an impact on the country’s judicial and democratic life.

Furthermore, in the context of ESG, inclusion stands out as a driver of sustainable performance. As a signatory of the Charte de la Diversité Lëtzebuerg since 2012, the firm is committed to offering everyone an environment where merit comes first and career paths can adapt to individual circumstances. This commitment to openness and responsibility is further strengthened through long-standing partnerships with key organisations such as Luxembourg Red Cross, Fondation Kriibskrank Kanner, Friendship Luxembourg and SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde, supported by the involvement of our teams in fundraising initiatives, sporting challenges and volunteering activities.

In this respect, our lawyers dedicated nearly 500 hours of pro bono work to various non-profit organisations over the past 12 months, demonstrating a concrete and collective commitment to serving the public interest. This ambition is fully aligned with our culture, which is founded on integrity, collective responsibility and respect.

You can discover all of our ESG-related initiatives and actions in our annual report, the latest edition of which will be published soon.