Sustainability & ESG

Our vision on sustainability

At BDO, we see sustainability as a vital investment in our corporate culture, resilience, and the future of our planet. We are deeply committed to supporting our clients and partners in developing and implementing thoughtful, future-proof sustainability strategies.

For us, sustainability is not merely about compliance or ticking boxes - it is about taking meaningful, measurable action. We firmly believe that by embedding sustainability into the fabric of our organisation, we will become stronger and more resilient. That is why we take responsibility for driving a sustainable transformation in the way we work, ensuring that we create a positive impact while minimising our ecological footprint.

Our sustainability ambitions are not just words, they are backed by action. Several years ago, we made a decisive commitment to sustainability, and since then, we have consistently worked towards making our business operations more sustainable. Through clear objectives and targeted initiatives, we strive to contribute to a better future for both people and the planet.

ESG Colleagues

Targeted Sustainability Initiatives

BDO integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across the organisation through well-defined and widely supported sustainability initiatives. A key focus is on continuously monitoring our progress. We set clear, measurable targets and key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting on our achievements annually through our sustainability report.

  • Aiming for net zero emissions by 2050: we are committed to halving our CO₂ emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050. Our net-zero target has been approved by the SBTi. 
    To realise this, we are implementing actions and developing policies in the domains of fleet & mobility, energy & buildings management and sustainable procurement. 
  • Championing inclusion and diversity: we foster an inclusive working environment where everyone has equal opportunities. We also take targeted measures to support colleagues facing barriers to career progression.
  • Investing in growth and development: we provide a diverse range of training opportunities to support our employees’ professional and personal development.
  • Listening to our people: through our ‘continuous listening’ strategy, we gain valuable insights into our colleagues’ needs, enabling us to take meaningful actions to enhance their well-being and engagement.
  • Ensuring robust data protection and cyber security: we have implemented advanced processes, procedures, and training to uphold the highest standards of data security, achieving ISO 27001 certification.
  • Acting ethically and independently: we adhere strictly to the BDO Ethics and Independence Manual, which sets out our policies on ethical conduct and independence. To reinforce this, we provide mandatory internal training on ethical behaviour.
  • Complying with national and international standards: we operate in line with relevant national and international regulations, including the IESBA Code of Ethics and quality standards such as ISQM1 and ISQM2.
  • Tracking progress through EcoVadis assessments: we evaluate our sustainability efforts annually using the EcoVadis assessment, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

ESG

At BDO, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are building a more resilient and responsible future.
Doing business in a sustainable manner, taking care of our colleagues, society and the planet is the only way we see fit anymore, the only way forward. We are continually adapting our strategy to incorporate sustainability into our business and the way we operate.”
Aubry De PauwSustainability Officer, BDO Belgium

Aubry De Pauw

Sustainability & ESG Insights

Meet our Sustainability Sponsor & Sustainability Officer