Seneca ESG

I believe we all share a responsibility that goes beyond just existing – whether we’re individuals, corporations, governments, or nonprofits. That’s what ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) aims to address. When we focus only on self-preservation, it can often come at the expense of others, which ultimately affects us all, even those with the best intentions. A “survival-first” mindset can keep us from moving forward as a society. It’s why sometimes progress feels like one step forward, two steps back. And while ESG offers a framework to explore this, it’s frustrating to see it reduced to a mere acronym. For many, it’s become both a rallying cry and a scapegoat. But in reality, ESG represents a greater call to consider the responsibilities we all share – beyond just existing. ╚   It’s about impact ╚   It’s about stakeholders And though change is slow, I’m optimistic. There’s a shift happening, especially in Europe, where the focus isn’t just on profitability or survival but on creating frameworks and establishing incentives that consider society as a whole. Because in the end, if we don’t embrace these ideals, we risk losing far more than profits. How can we do this without alienating large groups of people and avoiding further politicization? 

Want to understand a company's climate impact? You're probably thinking about carbon dioxide, right? But it's not that simple. There are many more metrics to consider, starting with CO2e. CO2e stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. It's a way of measuring all greenhouse gases (GHGs) – not just CO2, but also methane, nitrous oxide, and others – and expressing them in terms of how much warming they'd cause compared to CO2. ╦╦╦ Why does it matter? Well, for starters, think of it as the universal language of climate change, helping us understand the overall contribution to global warming, not just one piece of the puzzle. When we talk about carbon emissions, most people think of carbon dioxide. But in reality, a mix of greenhouse gases plays a role in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Each of those gases has a different "Global Warming Potential" (GWP), indicating its relative warming effect. CO2e provides a standardized way to compare these different gases on a like-for-like basis, which is crucial for accurate reporting and effective action. ╦╦╦ Businesses use CO2e to measure, report, and – crucially – improve their environmental performance. Of course, it's not perfect – there are limitations to consider, such as the time horizon used in calculations – but it's a vital tool nonetheless. I've seen firsthand how powerful it is when businesses get serious about tracking their CO2e. It's not just about compliance; it's about understanding your impact, identifying inefficiencies, and driving real change. 

Everything you need to know about the EU's Omnibus Simplification Package → the latest ESG regulation updates in Europe. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes: 1  ║  CSRD & ESRS: ╚  Scope Reduction: Only large companies (>1000 employees) required to report; listed SMEs are exempt. ╚  Simplified Disclosures: Fewer mandatory ESRS data points; focus on materiality, quantitative KPIs, and interoperability with ISSB. ╚  Implementation Delays: 2-year postponement for second and third wave CSRD reporters. ╚  Sector-Specific ESRS Dropped: No new industry-specific reporting requirements. 2  ║  CSDDD: ╚  Higher Thresholds & Phased Rollout: Only firms with >1000 employees & €450m+ turnover; compliance phases in from 2027–2029. ╚  Reduced Due Diligence Scope: Focus on direct suppliers; deeper supply chain checks only if risk indicators emerge. ╚  Less Frequent Audits: Monitoring requirements reduced from annual to every 5 years (unless risks arise). ╚  Climate Transition Plans Mandatory: Alignment with CSRD for one streamlined disclosure instead of separate plans. 3  ║  EU Taxonomy: ╚  Reporting Optional for Mid-Caps: Large firms with €450m turnover or less can opt out of Taxonomy reporting. ╚  Partial Alignment Allowed: Companies can now disclose partial alignment with Taxonomy criteria instead of all-or-nothing compliance. 4  ║  SFDR & Investor Data Needs: ╚  Fewer Companies Reporting Under CSRD → Data Gaps for Investors (affecting SFDR-aligned asset managers). ╚  Financial firms must rely more on voluntary reports, questionnaires, or external data providers. 5  ║  Global Convergence: ╚  ESRS updates increase alignment with ISSB (closer to IFRS S1/S2). ╚  Double materiality still exists but reporting burden is reduced. ╚  SEC & ISSB impact: EU remains stricter than U.S. SEC rules but gap narrows, making it easier for global firms to comply. ╦╦╦ What does this mean for businesses? ╚  Large Enterprises (>1000 employees): Lighter compliance load, delayed timelines (extra 2 years for implementation), Climate Transition Plan required, less supply chain reporting (only direct suppliers). ╚  Mid-Sized Firms (250–1000 employees): No mandatory ESG reporting, but voluntary reporting might still be expected by investors. ╚  SMEs: Exempt from CSRD & CSDDD, but voluntary ESG disclosures could still be beneficial. ╚  Non-EU Companies: Higher thresholds for inclusion, less extraterritorial reach (fewer foreign firms caught under CSRD). ╚  Financial Institutions & Investors: Reduced ESG data availability, must rely on voluntary disclosures, alternative sources, or proprietary data collection, easier for global investors to compare EU vs. ISSB reports. ╦╦╦ Of course, all of this still needs to go through the EU Parliament and Council. But the way I see it, these changes make the road ahead clear – less bureaucracy, more impact. Whatever happens, at Seneca ESG, we’re ready to support companies worldwide, covering both voluntary and required reporting.

I’ve seen many businesses put "company values" on posters and never think twice about them. I don't want to say that I've cracked the code, but I do my best not to follow that path and I actively push for our mission, vision, and values to be part of the conversation. That's actually how I see them – as the foundation and something to turn to in order to make sure we're grounded, focused, and aligned. ╚  Is what we’re doing today aligned with why we started this company?  That's when we turn to our mission and vision. ╚  Is this behavior acceptable within our team?  That's when we turn to our values. ╦╦╦ Here are the values that drive us: 1  ║  INTEGRITY This is number one for a reason. Without a strong definition of integrity, nothing else is possible. Honesty with ourselves and each other is key. It builds confidence and fosters collaboration. Integrity is the seed that blossoms into everything else at Seneca. 2  ║  CUSTOMER FIRST Our customers define everything we do—from the product we build to our go-to-market strategy. We listen to them often and take action. Their needs drive us forward. 3  ║  BE HELPFUL We all depend on each other. Being helpful isn’t just about doing your job – it’s about going outside of your job description when you have the capacity. Whether it’s sharing knowledge or lending a hand, a helpful culture builds a better, more collaborative team. That’s something I’m really proud of at Seneca ESG. 4  ║  COMMUNICATION It's easy to assume communication should be simple, but with teams across three continents, clients across six continents, and new products constantly in the works, staying aligned can be a challenge. That's why we communicate often (sometimes to the point of over-communication) to ensure we’re all on the same page. 5  ║  ACCOUNTABILITY This ties to integrity. Own up to your actions. If something goes wrong, it’s not a big deal – as long as we’ve done our best and learned from it. We take responsibility not just for our assigned tasks, but for our actions, words, and outcomes. 6  ║  SENSE OF URGENCY We don’t have external investors pushing us, but we do have something more powerful: alignment with our mission and vision. Our sense of urgency comes from within. We look for people with the fire and drive to achieve and move fast. ╦╦╦ To me, values aren’t just words. They are the foundation of how we work, collaborate, and move forward as a team. How do you view company values?  Buzzwords?  <>  Benchmarks?