ESG: Sustainability as a Strategic Pillar
The focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is growing rapidly, driven by societal expectations and increasingly stringent laws and regulations. Integrating ESG into your business operations is no longer optional; it is a strategic necessity. Whether it involves compliance with complex regulations, shaping sustainability policies, or preparing your company for future investments, we offer expert guidance at every level.
Our services focus on practical and strategic solutions to help companies navigate ESG challenges and opportunities. From compliance checks and sustainability reporting to advising on governance and contracts, we are here to support you.
Our services
Compliance Check
The European Green Deal introduces a significant number of new regulations and obligations for businesses. These include, among others, the CSRD, CS3D, SFDR, Pay Transparency Directive, Deforestation Regulation, Timber Regulation, Conflict Minerals Regulation, and Batteries Regulation. Would you like to know which laws and regulations apply to your company, whether your company complies with them, or how your company can achieve compliance? We are ready to advise you on these matters.
Advisory Board
ESG should form an integral part of a company’s policy and strategy, making it the responsibility of the board. We advise boards on incorporating ESG into company policies and strategies, engaging stakeholders, and communicating effectively with external audiences. We also provide guidance on ESG risks faced by companies and the risk management measures they can implement.
Governance Check
Many companies establish ESG teams. In addition, supervisory boards are expected to oversee the board’s ESG-related responsibilities, while shareholders increasingly seek to influence a company’s ESG policy. The division of roles and responsibilities among these corporate bodies is not always clear or well-defined. We help companies ensure these responsibilities are clarified and properly organised.
Contracts
ESG considerations increasingly affect the contracts companies enter into, such as supplier agreements. To comply with current laws and regulations, companies need to request information from and seek guarantees from suppliers. We assist in making your company’s commercial contracts ‘ESG-proof’ to meet regulatory requirements and support sustainable business practices.
ESG Due Diligence
Are you planning to sell your company in the future or invest in one? ESG plays a crucial role in such transactions. Investors are placing greater importance on companies performing well in ESG metrics and meeting ESG legal requirements. ESG is therefore a vital component of due diligence. We can conduct this research for you to ensure you are well-prepared to meet market expectations.
Sustainability Reporting
From 2026, large companies will be required to publish a sustainability report for the financial year 2025, based on the CSRD. We provide advice on the application and content of the CSRD and review draft sustainability reports to help avoid greenwashing and reputational damage.
Meet our ESG team
Our ESG specialists combine in-depth knowledge of laws and regulations with years of experience in legal advisory. The team is led by Stephanie ter Brake, Head of ESG, and includes highly experienced lawyers Esther van der Meulen, Bas Martens, and Rohied Mahboeb. Together, they offer high-quality guidance to help you achieve your ESG goals.
Stephanie ter Brake, has years of experience in corporate governance and is our ESG specialist. She follows all legislative initiatives in this regard, publishes on this topic and advises a wide variety of companies on this subject.
In her blog series, Stephanie discusses the different aspects of ESG, such as why it is important for you as an entrepreneur, what laws you need to comply with and which entrepreneurs ESG is relevant for. >> Go to the blog series
For questions, contact her here.
What does Lexence do about Environmental, Social and Governance
Commitment is in Lexence’s DNA. That commitment extends beyond the practice of our profession. We are convinced that our firm can only thrive and grow by the grace of the society in which we operate. For years now, Lexence has therefore focused on developing policy in the field of Environmental, Social
Read more here.