CORPORATE REPORT on our corporate social responsibility (CSR) as self-declaration based on ISO 26.000

Version September 2, 2023

German Version

 

1.   Preamble

We have applied the ISO 26000 standard to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) into our corporate values and practices, and we are pleased to present the corporate social responsibility report. This report explains our efforts to incorporate social responsibility into our activities and contribute positively to society and the environment.

2.   About the Company

As a small, exquisite management consulting firm based in Austria, we specialize in assisting large international companies in the development of their digital and IT strategies and related operating model improvements. Our clients are typically located in the German-speaking region, Europe, or other international destinations.

Our mission is to drive positive change by offering highly informed expertise while setting an example of ethical and sustainable business practices within our context. Christian Kaliauer Consulting e.U. (CKC) is owner-managed and is currently solely represented by the owner, Christian Kaliauer.

3.   Core Subjects and Concerns

Our core subjects and concerns follow the principles outlined in ISO 26000, which include:

  • Responsibility
  • Transparency
  • Ethical behavior
  • Networking

These will be further elucidated below.

3.1. Organizational Governance

Our management consulting firm is led and operated by the owner. We strive to ensure transparency and accountability in our business activities and decision-making processes. We have established corporate values and guidelines that promote ethical behavior and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

3.2. Human Rights

We respect human rights and endeavor to promote them in our business activities. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. We ensure that our clients and partners also respect human rights to the extent that we have insight and influence.

3.3. Labor Practices

Given our organizational structure, we do not employ additional staff. However, we strive to create fair and safe working conditions in the context of our collaboration with clients and partners. We ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity.

In line with our company's purpose and positioning as an exquisite, highly specialized consulting firm, we regularly and significantly invest in ongoing education to advise our clients on solutions to their complex challenges using up-to-date knowledge and ethical-humanistic principles.

3.4. The Environment

Environmental protection guides our actions. We believe that our most significant environmental impact results from business-related travel and the resulting energy consumption. In response, we emphasize the possibility of remote interaction with our clients to reduce travel. Together with our clients, we assess the use of on-site engagements and collaboration through digital channels, considering essential context-related factors as well as environmental impact avoidance.

In this awareness, the owner of CKC operates a large photovoltaic system to generate renewable energy, which more than compensates for the CO2 footprint generated by business-related travel and contributes to a sustainable energy transition. Furthermore, CKC contracts with electricity suppliers for its central office that exclusively provide electricity from sustainable sources.

CKC's central office resides in a building designed with sustainability in mind. This includes:

  • An architecture aimed at reducing heating and cooling needs
  • An architecture that reduces soil sealing
  • A heating system designed as a geothermal heat pump with intelligent control options (e.g., prioritizing sunshine, prioritizing according to the forecast and the supply-demand ratio of the electricity market)
  • Various shading options to naturally keep the premises cool during heatwave periods
  • A cooling system that, in heatwaves, efficiently transports excess heat from the building into the ground through a heat exchange. This heat can, in turn, be used by the heating system for providing hot water and heating energy in late autumn
  • The use of sustainable or easily separable building materials
  • A rainwater retention system for relieving the drainage system in case of heavy rainfall events, as well as for sustainable irrigation of the outdoor areas
  • The use of LED technologies for lighting to further reduce electricity consumption

As part of our client interactions, we highlight potential positive influences and optimizations, especially in the context of Green IT and collaboration models of digital/IT organizations, and work together to find reasonable solutions.

3.5. Fair Operating Practices

Ethics are indispensable in our industry. We adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ensure honesty, integrity, and fairness in all our activities. Conflicts of interest are avoided, and our clients can trust our ethical conduct.

3.6. Consumer Issues

As CKC, we are only indirectly involved in consumer issues. We focus on providing consulting services to businesses, their employees, executives, and organs and do not intend to provide consulting services to consumers.

Nevertheless, we consider the aspects mentioned in ISO 26000 under this point, especially:

  • Fair sales and contract practices with potential and existing clients
  • Protection and confidentiality of data to and from clients

3.7. Community Involvement and Development

We are committed to the positive development of society. Our engagement goes beyond pure business transactions. We share our knowledge, collaborate with local and international partners, participate in various professional networks, and maintain contact with relevant authorities and associations.

4.    Stakeholder Engagement

Our approach to CSR is based on stakeholder engagement. We value the insights of clients, partners, local as well as international communities, and industry colleagues. By involving stakeholders in our decision-making process, we ensure that our strategies align with their needs and expectations, leading to more effective results.

5.    Objectives, Targets, and Performance Indicators

Considering our company's size, we established specific objectives and performance indicators for the four most critical and specific core subjects and concerns.

5.1.  Reducing Travel Activities through a Sustainable Ratio of On-Site and Remote Consulting Services

Objective: Sustainable balance of on-site and remote consulting services in the context of our clients' objectives, maximizing the probability of success, client-specific conditions, and environmental considerations

Performance Indicator & Target:

  • Proportion of on-site consulting hours to the total number of consulting hours across all clients per year
  • Target: <= 50% on-site consulting hours

5.2.  Optimizing the Mode of Transportation by Offset of Travel "CO2-producing" to "CO2-saving" within 12-hour Destinations

Objective: Optimization of the ratio of travel from CO2-producing (air travel, car travel with internal combustion engines) to CO2-saving (train, tram, electric car travel) modes of transportation

Performance Indicator & Target:

  • Sum of CO2-producing travel (based on purchased fossil fuel CO2 amount & CO2 calculator for air travel) minus sum of CO2-saving travel (based on documented CO2 savings from train tickets and CO2 savings from sustainable electricity for electric cars) within a year
  • Geographic restriction: Air travel to destinations that cannot be reached within 12 hours from the CKC headquarters using public transportation is excluded from the calculation due to the current lack of alternatives
  • Target: Sum of CO2<0

5.3.  "Net-Zero" for the Use of "CO2-producing" Modes of Transportation

Objective: In cases where CO2-producing modes of transportation are used due to geographical location or business necessity, the impacts shall be at least offset through climate-active measures

Performance Indicator & Target:

  • Sum of CO2-producing travel (based on the CO2 amount of purchased fossil fuel & the CO2 calculator results for air travel) minus the calculated CO2 offset value of the owner's company-owned PV system minus the purchase of CO2 compensation offers from the respective transportation companies
  • Target: Sum CO2<0 “net zero”

5.4.  High Innovation Rate for Exquisite Consulting Quality at CKC

Objective: Regular, high, and focused investments in the education and competence development of CKC to advise clients to the best of their ability and "stay up to date."

Performance Indicator & Target:

  • Monetary innovation rate: Percentage of "Total monetary investment in further education, specialist congresses, literature, and other relevant platforms within a year" to annual revenue
  • Time innovation rate: Percentage of "Total invested time in further education, participation in specialist congresses and similar events, network meetings, and media research in a year" to annual standard working time (1760 hours)
  • Target: (Monetary + time innovation rate) > 33%

6.    Challenges and Gains in Experience

Our commitment to CSR has led us to recognize challenges such as limited options for environmentally friendly air travel. These challenges underscore the importance of innovation and collaboration in seeking solutions that align with our principles.

7.    Data Collection and Communication

We systematically collect data on travel emissions, energy consumption, and sustainability initiatives. The performance indicators mentioned in the report are calculated annually. We reflect on the results of the performance indicators and incorporate this reflection into the strategic and operational planning of CKC's business activities.

We are happy to provide the results of our performance indicators to our clients upon request. We also take this opportunity to discuss further optimizations and new initiatives together.

8.    Continuous Improvement

Our journey toward social responsibility is ongoing. As we learn from our experiences, we are determined to refine our practices and increase our positive impact on the environment, our stakeholders, and the business world.

9.    Conclusion

At CKC, we are committed to embodying CSR principles based on ISO 26000. Through promoting ethical behavior, prioritizing ecological sustainability, engaging stakeholders, and contributing to society, we aim to have a positive and sustainable impact on the world around us. Our journey continues, guided by the principles of ISO 26000 and the core values that define our business activities.