CSR Agency – Communicate sustainability in a strategic, credible, and effective manner
Sustainability has long since become a central factor for competitiveness. A study by McKinsey & NielsenIQ (“Consumers care about sustainability – and back it up with their wallets”) shows: Sustainability pays off from a business perspective. Products with sustainability statements achieved around 28% growth in sales over five years, while conventional products only achieved around 20%.
Companies are thus facing rising expectations from customers, investors, employees, and the public—which means that a visible, measurable, and transparent commitment to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is crucial.
As a CSR agency, we support companies and public institutions not only in meeting these rising expectations but also in communicating their efforts credibly – both internally and externally.
We develop tailormade communication strategies, assist you in effectively integrating sustainability into your business operations, facilitate stakeholder dialogue, conduct systematic materiality assessments and we develop sustainability reports – upon request in compliance with the German Sustainability Code (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitskodex, DNK), as per the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) or internationally as per the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
Good to know: What are stakeholders?
Stakeholders include all groups that have an interest in the activity of a certain company – that is to say, in addition to employees, customers and suppliers, they also include the general public, the media, NGOs, shareholders and political actors.
The word was coined in the early 1980s by the business ethicist R. Edward Freeman. The concept was popularized in 2021 by Klaus Schwab (founder of the World Economic Forum) through his model of stakeholder capitalism, which focuses on achieving a balance of interests rather than just return on investment.
Some critics, however, maintain that the term is too vague and see it as a PR tool devoid of any real commitment – or even as a dilution of democratic processes in favor of business interests.
Customer references
CSR and ESG – Our approach as a CSR agency
CSR and ESG are closely related, but differ with regard to their approach. While CSR puts emphasis on the fundamental ethical stance and responsibility of companies and institutions, ESG provides a measurable framework for giving transparency to this responsibility.
CSR as a fundamental corporate ethical stance
CSR represents your company’s responsibility towards society and the environment. It involves voluntary measures such as environmentally friendly manufacturing, equitable working conditions, and social engagement. As such, CSR is value-driven and thus a strategic attitude toward stakeholders.
Companies guided by CSR therefore embrace responsibilities beyond the legal requirements. According to Carroll’s model, these include:
- economic responsibility
(e.g., developing sustainable products, securing jobs) - legal responsibility
(e.g., complying with environmental regulations, fair employment contracts) - ethical responsibility
(e.g., pay fair wages, make supply chains transparent) - philanthropic responsibility
(e.g., donations to social projects, support for local initiatives)
When a company reaches the top of Carroll’s pyramid, it basically becomes a “corporate citizen”.
Citizens are expected not only to exercise their rights (like their right to vote), but also to fulfill obligations: Alongside paying taxes and abiding by the law, this also includes treating fellow human beings and the environment with solidarity and responsibility.
Even though many people aren’t aware of these expectations, they shape how we live side by side in society. Those who abide by the rules, show consideration, and thus contribute to the common good.
Applying this to companies, it means that they should also go beyond the bare minimum required by law, get involved in social issues in a constructive way, and actively contribute to the common good – just like any responsible citizen from the community.
ESG as a measurable framework for CSR objectives
ESG makes CSR “measurable” and represents a crucial part for internal and external reporting and positioning. The basic business approach can be broken down into three areas:
E: Environmental – e.g., CO₂ emissions, resource consumption
S: Social – e.g., equality, workplace safety
G: Corporate Governance (management and supervision of the company) – e.g., transparency, compliance with policies/laws
These three areas are similar to the sustainability triangle: Environmental, social, and economic. CSR measurements can be structured using this framework.
In the sustainability triangle, economics represents an independent sustainability goal: A company ought to be able to generate long-term profits without damaging the ecological and social foundations.
The ESG approach requires economic viability. Corporate governance (management and supervision of the company) is becoming the focal point instead: Governance ensures that companies take into account environmental and social issues while at the same time acting transparently, complying with laws and regulations, and acting responsibly.
This framework is suited both as a foundation for operational projects, for example programming a sustainable website, or as a standard for external communication — for instance in sustainability reports, or when dealing with investors or regulatory bodies.
Our approach
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) have similar objectives, but differ in their approach. As a CSR agency, we use ESG criteria as a framework for efficiently implementing meaningful CSR measures — ensuring that your company fulfills its social responsibilities toward stakeholders.
At svaerm, we provide you with expert knowledge, practical implementation, and a well-defined strategy: CSR shouldn’t merely create sustainable added value, but also reflect how your company, organization, or institution actively embraces responsibility — in reports, on websites, in print media, and in internal processes.
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Excursus: Creating Shared Value (CSV)
The CSV concept by Porter and Kramer supplies a business rationale for why certain CSR measures are worthwhile not only from an ethical but also from an economic standpoint. It creates shared value. Companies that regard social challenges as business opportunities will expand their markets, gain acceptance, and strengthen their innovative capabilities.
CSV makes it clear:
- Social responsibility is not necessarily a cost factor, but rather a source of productivity, resilience, and brand value, and
- Business success does not have to be at odds with social progress; in fact, the two can be interconnected structurally.
The economic benefits of CSV measures shouldn’t just be figured out retrospectively — they need to be an integral part of the strategy from the outset. For Porter and Kramer, economic value is not an optional by-product, but rather a core requirement to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of shared value.
Our recommendation:
At svaerm, we regard CSV as a sensible approach: It brings together social and economic value in a genuine way — and also helps to counter the criticism that CSR is merely a matter of tokenism. That is the reason why CSV is an integral part of our CSR approach.
CSR – Why now?
CSR has increasingly become a key strategic priority in recent years. This means that companies are no longer able to offload their responsibility to society onto their PR departments. They must operate in a cohesive manner, across all departments. CSR has become a precondition for a good reputation and long-term competitiveness:
Climate change
From the World Economic Forum report “What’s good for the planet is good for business. Here’s why” we learn that climate change is creating increasing pressure on companies to act in a manner that is more climate-conscious – with a growing environmental awareness in society, public reactions are at the same time opening up new opportunities and markets.
Growing social inequality
The growing social inequality is reflected in the rising Gini coefficient and is seen as a risk to economic and social stability. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development stresses the responsibility of companies to actively combat it for example through fair wages and working conditions.
From the study “An international comparative view of social inequality and inclusive growth (Soziale Ungleichheit und inklusives Wachstum im internationalen Vergleich)”, Image 5: The decline in the wage share since 1970 reveals the growing need for companies to assume social responsibility, for instance by providing fair wages and working conditions.
Technological and economic shifts
Technological and economic shifts have always shaped progress — from the industrial revolution to today’s digital era. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is now rapidly transforming the market landscape through automation, artificial intelligence, and networking. This trend creates an impetus for action, but also presents new opportunities: According to the Future of Jobs report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), by 2025, automation could displace around 85 million jobs globally, but at the same time create 97 million new jobs – though only if companies and governments provide the most affected groups with targeted support.
Conclusion – External influences as opportunities
Companies and institutions should not regard the external influences described above as problems, but rather as opportunities. Those acting in a manner that is climate conscious, reducing social inequality, and promoting digital transition with a focus on people and the environment will improve their reputation and future viability in a sustainable manner.
Our CSR achievements
As a CSR agency, our role is to bring together for you, in an efficient way, the key elements of CSR initiatives. You will be appointed a dedicated contact person – here at svaerm, we will coordinate the relevant processes, manage external partners, and ensure that all runs smoothly.
Either holistically or in a support role for specific areas such as strategy development and management, process optimization, communication and reporting.
Facilitation of stakeholder dialogue
Effective CSR measures start with dialogue: We identify your relevant stakeholders and create structured stakeholder dialogue that incorporate a variety of perspectives.
Whether they’re one-on-one meetings, moderated workshops, or digital feedback formats, we develop customized formats tailored to your interest group and specific topics. This enables you to actively incorporate outside perspectives into your sustainability strategy and strengthen your credibility in the eyes of customers, employees, partners, and the public.
Sustainability strategy & management
We develop customized sustainability strategies with measurable goals. We cooperate with a diverse pool of service providers to meet industry-specific demands, such as material analysis, specific stakeholder management, governance models (company-specific control and regulation systems in the context of sustainability reporting), or the development of sustainable mission statements. These building blocks have a crucial impact on a holistic sustainability strategy.
Sustainability reporting
From systematic target-performance comparisons such as GAP analysis to the editorial content creation and visual design of sustainability reports: We assist you with the preparation and realization of your reports — including those compliant with the German Sustainability Code (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitskodex, DNK), the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), or the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
Upon request, we can prepare your reports in a way that allows them to be effectively integrated into your PR, social media, and internal communications.
Sustainability communication & activation
We not only deliver the results to you, but also transform them into messages that are tailored to your target audience, easy to understand, and accessible.
We add sustainability to your corporate identity and communicate reports and findings with wide reach to your customers and relevant decision-makers in your industry or to your employees. Whether through CSR blog posts, sustainability magazines, social media and print campaigns, or PR events.
Climate protection & environmental management
We support you in the transition to a climate-neutral circular economy. Working together with our network of sustainability experts and specialized service providers, we prepare well-founded climate assessments, evaluate the impact of your company, organization, or institution on the climate, and identify specific opportunities and risks.
Building on this foundation, we develop customized climate strategies, identify potential partners for CO2 offsetting projects, and show you how these can be effectively integrated into your corporate culture.
Promoting social engagement
In close collaboration with you, we develop effective concepts that contribute towards the strategic positioning of your company, organization, or institution, bringing together social engagement with your economic objectives.
We use a variety of engagement models, such as donation alliances or partnerships with NGOs, in order to strengthen your market position and build trust with stakeholders.
For example, within your company we focus on qualification projects for the professional development of your employees with the aim of increasing their motivation and loyalty to your company and enhancing your desirability as an employer.
Development of sustainable digital processes & inclusive websites
We develop your website in a sustainable way – with a reduced CO₂ footprint, improved loading performance and minimal resource usage. We rely on streamlined code, efficient hosting solutions, and energy-saving design without compromising on aesthetics, UX, or functionality.
At the same time, we also take digital accessibility into account: An accessible website involves not only compliance with legal requirements, but also actively contributing to greater inclusion and coverage – whether through a relaunch or through optimizing existing systems.
Far-reaching employer branding & sustainable employer positioning
A commitment to CSR increases your appeal as an employer – it shows that your company embraces responsibility and actively lives up to it internally. We will support you in integrating your CSR strategy into your employer branding in a target-oriented manner.
Together, we will develop a value-based employer mission statement and formulate a sustainable EVP (Employer Value Proposition), enabling you to position yourself clearly in the job market and stand out as an alluring employer. This communication takes place on an “About us” or a “Careers” landing page on your website, among other places.
Additionally, we offer high-coverage solutions such as schema-optimized job boards to further boost the organic reach of your job postings.
